Ed Markey

Just a little humor reflecting the bipartisanship, actually, with which the Senate is able to operate, especially on issues that relate to homeland security.

I introduced a bill that forbids any changes to the prohibited items that would permit passengers to carry small knives through screening checkpoints.

I think that this important issue deserves more study and evaluation, and we're going to be pursuing that in the markup as we move forward on this legislation.

Regrettably, airline fees may be making this job far more difficult.

Thank you for having this hearing.

I think we are going to be seeing the same story in Puerto Rico as we go through that entire country's disaster.

And do you think it is important that the infrastructure be reconstructed, taking into account the danger that has already been identified and is likely to increase along our coastlines?

There is a risk living anywhere, but at the same time, we know that there is a greater risk living in certain places and in others, given the past history.

Do you think it is important that infrastructure is reconstructed post-storm in a manner that incorporates the realities and science and climate change?

It is absolutely human suffering at a level that we have not seen in a long, long time, and it is the responsibility of our Government to respond and to respond everywhere, including Puerto Rico with the same pace that we respond in the…

President Trump rescinded an executive order by President Obama that established a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard.

If I am confirmed, I would seek to ensure that coastal states, like Connecticut, will have proper warning and be prepared for future storms by prioritizing funding for implementing the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of…

Do you join me in my concern regarding cuts to coastal research programs that prepare communities for rising seas and worsening storms?

I am not prepared today at this hearing to say where I would come down on recommending the DOT provide a new requirement for phasing in new tank cars.

I believe that PHMSA has a duty to consider all views when making decisions that affect both railroad and the shipping community.

I think that is just part of the normal oversight responsibilities and the need for an agency to give us those documents.

It is imperative that Congress has the ability to review these documents so that we can conduct proper oversight of these programs.

This is $20 billion every 10 years that is just lost to consumers. There are not many issues that you can actually put that kind of a price tag on.

Aging, leaking natural gas distribution pipelines cost consumers billions of dollars, contribute to global warming, and pose a threat to public health, and safety, and the environment.

It's just plain wrong and I think it's fundamentally un-American.

So here is the broadband giant's industry formula: Give the Federal Trade Commission authority over broadband, and then gut the Federal Trade Commission's authority to protect competition and innovation.

The Federal Trade Commission only enforces policies companies create for themselves, and brings enforcement action if, and only if, a company violates those policies.

The FTC does not have general rulemaking authority to do that.

The arguments that we are hearing today to limit, limit, the Federal Trade Commission's authority are yet another reason why the Federal Communications Commission must stop its harmful proposal to rescind net neutrality protections.

I have introduced with Senator Blumenthal the Data Broker Accountability and Transparency Act, to give consumers meaningful control over their sensitive information.