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Senate Commerce Dems
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Follow for official news from the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Democratic members.
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Led by U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell of Washington State @cantwell.senate.gov
Experts agree: Kids shouldn’t be the test subjects for powerful AI tools designed to maximize engagement and profit. We need commonsense AI safeguards to ensure technology helps children learn and thrive; not put them at risk.
www.commerce.senate.gov/2026/1/exper...
Experts Tell Committee AI Presents Greater Risk to Children than Social Media
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, elicited testimony from experts at today’s hearing on children’s screen time that AI, pa...
www.commerce.senate.gov
January 16, 2026 at 2:23 PM
From addictive algorithms to AI-driven deepfakes and exploitation, the risks to kids online are growing fast.

We need strong AI protections and meaningful safeguards designed with children in mind.

www.commerce.senate.gov/2026/1/exper...
Experts Tell Committee AI Presents Greater Risk to Children than Social Media
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, elicited testimony from experts at today’s hearing on children’s screen time that AI, pa...
www.commerce.senate.gov
January 15, 2026 at 10:46 PM
Children’s safety online shouldn’t be partisan. Social media platforms are deliberately using AI to hook kids—capturing attention, collecting data, and prioritizing profit over well-being.

Listen to @cantwell.senate.gov's statement here: www.commerce.senate.gov/2026/1/exper...
Experts Tell Committee AI Presents Greater Risk to Children than Social Media
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, elicited testimony from experts at today’s hearing on children’s screen time that AI, pa...
www.commerce.senate.gov
January 15, 2026 at 10:45 PM
From new NIST quantum centers to NSF research hubs, workforce training, and NASA quantum activities, the bipartisan NQIRA builds a full research-to-application pipeline.

US innovation and leadership is essential for the quantum economy of the future.
www.commerce.senate.gov/2026/1/cantw...
Cantwell, Young, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act
U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, Todd Young (R-Ind.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Ben Ray Luján...
www.commerce.senate.gov
January 9, 2026 at 5:02 PM
Quantum = competitiveness + national security.

National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act would expand NSF, NIST, and NASA programs, strengthen supply chains, and build the workforce needed to keep America ahead of foreign competitors.

www.commerce.senate.gov/2026/1/cantw...
Cantwell, Young, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act
U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, Todd Young (R-Ind.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Ben Ray Luján...
www.commerce.senate.gov
January 8, 2026 at 8:19 PM
The National Quantum Initiative has delivered—driving U.S. innovation, startups, jobs & global leadership in quantum tech. But staying ahead means sustained investment & moving breakthroughs from lab to market. Bipartisan NQI reauthorization is the next step.
www.commerce.senate.gov/2026/1/cantw...
Cantwell, Young, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act
U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, Todd Young (R-Ind.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Ben Ray Luján...
www.commerce.senate.gov
January 8, 2026 at 5:09 PM
@cantwell.senate.gov just introduced the National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act.

Read her statement below:
January 8, 2026 at 4:24 PM
Streaming up 13% in one year. Cable costs doubled in a decade. Wireless prices among the highest in the world.

@cantwell.senate.gov is demanding answers as the FCC loses focus on affordability and consumer protection.

www.commerce.senate.gov/2025/12/sen-...
Sen. Cantwell: Brendan Carr’s FCC is Hurting Consumers, Doing Nothing about Rising Costs for TV, Cellphone and Broadband Services
As American families face an affordability crisis, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, led her Democratic committee colleagu...
www.commerce.senate.gov
December 23, 2025 at 9:34 PM
“Do you think it’s appropriate for you to have an opinion at all in your official capacity about what a comedian says – as offensive as it may have been?” - Sen. Schatz
December 23, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Trump “did intentionally try to pressure you and direct you to be able to use your power in the FCC against media companies that he thought were biased against him.” @kim.senate.gov
December 23, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Millions lost broadband access after the Affordable Connectivity Program lapsed—yet the FCC has taken no meaningful action. As @bluntrochester.senate.gov warned: without competition and affordability, networks won’t serve the people who need them most.

www.commerce.senate.gov/2025/12/sen-...
Home - Lisa Blunt Rochester
U.S. Senator
bluntrochester.senate.gov
December 22, 2025 at 7:53 PM
@klobuchar.senate.gov questions FCC Chair Carr about his actions surrounding Jimmy Kimmel’s firing
December 22, 2025 at 6:24 PM
It makes no sense. The MEP program creates manufacturing jobs and boosts productivity by adopting cutting-edge tech like AI. But the Trump Administration is playing games with MEP funding and hurting American manufacturing.

www.commerce.senate.gov/2025/12/cant...
Cantwell and Merkley Lead Senate Democrats in Demanding Answers on NIST’s Unauthorized Dismantling of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, and U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on...
www.commerce.senate.gov
December 22, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Sen. Cantwell expects new Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Lunday to fully implement historic, bipartisan reforms to combat sexual assault & harassment and protect all service members. Zero tolerance means accountability.

www.commerce.senate.gov/2025/12/cant...
Cantwell Expects New Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Lunday to Implement Reforms to Combat Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault Required by Senator’s Bipartisan Coast Guard Reauthorization Law
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, released the below statement following Senate confirmation of Admiral Kevin Lunda...
www.commerce.senate.gov
December 22, 2025 at 3:15 PM
“So would it be appropriate for the President to try and remove and replace any Commissioner because he disagrees with the decisions made by that Commissioner?” @kim.senate.gov
December 19, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Families are facing an affordability crisis—but the FCC isn’t helping.

@cantwell.senate.gov asked if consolidation is driving higher prices and fewer choices for consumers. The FCC should be lowering costs, not enabling corporate mergers.

www.commerce.senate.gov/2025/12/sen-...
Sen. Cantwell: Brendan Carr’s FCC is Hurting Consumers, Doing Nothing about Rising Costs for TV, Cellphone and Broadband Services
As American families face an affordability crisis, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, led her Democratic committee colleagu...
www.commerce.senate.gov
December 19, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Carr plays coy when asked by Sen. Schatz if the FCC should regulate satire.

“What satire are we talking about?”
December 19, 2025 at 4:43 PM
“Trump is not your Boss. The American people are your Boss” @kim.senate.gov to FCC Chair Carr
December 19, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Reposted by Senate Commerce Dems
Who does the FCC Chairman think is his boss, Donald Trump or the American people?
 
It’s not a hypothetical question.
December 18, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Affordability starts with transparency. Broadband labels should show the real price—no fine print, no surprises. Weakening consumer protections only drives bills higher and trust lower.

@lujan.senate.gov
December 18, 2025 at 6:06 PM
“It's an incentive. Your economic incentive is where the profits are, so that's where government steps in.” @agomezfcc.bsky.social

“Well, I don't think that's where the FCC is stepping in” @cantwell.senate.gov
December 18, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Access doesn’t matter if people can’t afford it. With ACP gone and costs rising, millions are being priced out of broadband. Affordability isn’t a side issue—it’s the foundation of closing the digital divide.

@bluntrochester.senate.gov
December 18, 2025 at 2:39 PM
“I am concerned that the level of consolidation in this country is actually reducing the incentives that lead to lower costs for consumers.” @agomezfcc.bsky.social
December 17, 2025 at 10:07 PM
. @cantwell.senate.gov grills Carr on the Salt Typhoon hack:
December 17, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Commerce Democrats are sounding the alarm: families are paying more for cable, streaming, and wireless while consolidation and hidden fees go unchecked. An FCC that ignores affordability is failing consumers.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTR3...
Sen. Cantwell Q&A at FCC Oversight Hearing
YouTube video by Commerce Dems
www.youtube.com
December 17, 2025 at 9:10 PM