Hearing of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee - Opening Statement of Sen. Thune, Hearing on Executive Session

Hearing

Good morning. Thank you all for being here. Before we turn to our hearing with TSA Administrator Pekoske, we will hold a quick executive session considering four legislative items and four nominations.

As is typical for a Commerce Committee markup, today's agenda covers a wide range of our jurisdiction.

Legislatively we will be considering Senator Sullivan's bill designed to respect the rights of Native Alaskans to make and sell their handicrafts, as well as bills to improve fishing practices in the Pacific and to streamline the reports the Department of Transportation is required to produce so the department can focus its resources on the most important issues.

We will also consider a measure Senator Heller has introduced in the Senate, which has already passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 420 to one, designed to encourage veterans to study and pursue STEM careers.

On the nominations side we will consider those seeking to serve as Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the Deputy Administrator of NASA, an assistant Secretary for Transportation, and another Director of the Amtrak Board of Directors.

All of the nominees are qualified for their positions and it would be my hope that, once we act today, the full Senate can move quickly to confirm them.

With that, I will turn to Senator Nelson for any opening remarks.

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