U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, delivered an opening statement during an executive session in Washington, D.C., where several pieces of legislation she co-sponsored were approved. The measures include the ROTOR Act (S. 2503), PIPELINE Safety Act of 2025 (S. 2975), and Integrated Ocean Observation System Reauthorization Act of 2025 (S. 2126).
Senator Cantwell thanked committee members and staff for their work on legislation addressing aviation safety, pipeline safety, STEM education, support for NOAA programs in coastal communities, maritime industries, foreign investment, and consumer protection from foreign robocalls.
She acknowledged the presence and contributions of families affected by Flight 5342 and recognized Chairman Homendy’s recent hearings related to aviation safety. Cantwell said, “I too want to thank the families who are here today, Sheri Lilley and the Lilley family. I also want to thank the Zhou family and all the families of Flight 5342, for their incredible work and input on this legislation. I too want to recognize Chairman Homendy, who just recently completed a series of hearings, and we look forward to your final report on …important recommendations beyond the ROTOR Act, and hope that we will, as soon as that report is made public, have hearings on them before this Committee.”
Cantwell described a bipartisan agreement with Senator Cruz to address issues identified by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) after a collision at Reagan National Airport that resulted in 67 deaths. She stated: “Sixty-seven people died because the military helicopter flew invisible into another aircraft and pilots lacked the technology to see each other. The bipartisan agreement fixes both problems.” She explained that the agreement would close loopholes regarding ADS-B Out technology immediately upon enactment and require aircraft operators to equip fleets with ADS-B In technology by 2031.
The PIPELINE Safety Act of 2025 reauthorizes the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s program through September 2030. According to Cantwell: “This bill includes important measures to ensure the safety of our energy infrastructure, including 46,000 miles of pipeline in my state, the state of Washington. Critically, the bill directs TSA to make its cyber security requirements permanent to prevent attacks like the 2021 Colonial Pipeline hack. It also requires operators to address aging plastic components known to fail, land movement caused by landslides and earthquakes, and closes loopholes for carbon dioxide and hydrogen pipelines.”
The committee also considered other bills such as the National STEM Week Act—which would require a designated STEM week each year—and reauthorization of NOAA’s Integrated Ocean Observation System. Cantwell highlighted how ocean data can aid rescue operations: “I know a story of an accident where a sailor fell off a boat in Puget Sound...because…this information was accessible...they literally were able to rescue the individual.”
Other legislative items included support for young fishermen through grant programs and measures requiring federal review of U.S. competitiveness in attracting foreign direct investment.
Cantwell expressed opposition to certain nominations under consideration due to concerns about data integrity and transparency within agencies.
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