The Senate Commerce Committee holds a hearing on pending nominees and legislation.
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00:00Good morning, I apologize to the chairman of Senate Armed Services if my gavel is a
00:12little vigorous. I think I startled Roger awake this morning. The Senate Committee on Commerce,
00:21Science and Transportation will come to order. Today we'll consider a Coast Guard promotion,
00:26two consequential nominations, and 16 bills. Let me begin with Jared Isaacman, the president's
00:32nominee for NASA Administrator. Mr. Isaacman is a successful entrepreneur with a bold,
00:38boundary-pushing vision for space exploration. As we heard at his nomination hearing earlier this
00:44month, quote, NASA was built to do the near impossible. I agree, but NASA's plans for space
00:52must remain grounded in reality and align with our strategic interests. Existing law directs NASA
01:00to establish a, quote, sustained human presence in cislunar space or on the moon. Federal law
01:09explicitly calls the moon a, quote, stepping stone to reaching Mars. In other words, our path to
01:19predominance in space begins with the Artemis missions. Mr. Isaacman acknowledges this. As he
01:27told us, quote, I'm committed to following the law and as a lifelong space enthusiast, I would like
01:35nothing more than to see lunar operations become continuous, enduring, and routine. For Isaacman,
01:44NASA can pursue Martian objectives. Yes, absolutely. But these should, quote, not detract from the near-term
01:56objective of returning to the moon first. Given this explicit commitment, I support Mr. Isaacman's
02:05confirmation. I also support the confirmation of Olivia Trustee to the Federal Communication Commission,
02:11the FCC. A former staffer for Senator Wicker on this committee, Ms. Trustee is an expert in
02:18telecommunications policy and someone who understands the need for a spectrum pipeline to free up bans for
02:25commercial use. I look forward to working with her and with Chairman Carr as we restore the FCC's
02:32commercial auction authority this Congress. Let me highlight a few of the bills we're taking up
02:38today. The Sunshine Protection Act, led by Senator Scott of Florida, is bipartisan legislation to end
02:46the disruptive practice of switching our clocks twice a year. As we heard at a hearing earlier this
02:53month, a shift to either permanent daylight savings time or permanent standard time, if a state chooses to
03:02adopt that instead, would boost economic activity and improve public health. We will also shine sunlight on
03:12the activities of our competitors and our adversaries. The Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvest, or Fish
03:19Act, from Senator Sullivan, would crack down on illegal fishing in the United States waters by Russia and
03:26others. The United States Research Protection Act, introduced by my fellow Texans, Senator Cornyn and
03:33Senator Curtis, will safeguard taxpayer-funded research from exploitation by adversarial nations.
03:40Senator Peter's Combating CCP Labor Abuses Act, introduced with Senators Lummis and Curtis, will keep the
03:50Commerce Department employees informed about the human rights abuses of the Chinese Communist Party,
03:55including those perpetrated against the Uyghur population. And in keeping with our efforts to
04:02stay ahead of global competitors, I want to recognize Senators Moreno and Blunt Rochester for their
04:09Deploying American Blockchains Act, which will direct the Commerce Department to support continued U.S.
04:15leadership in distributed ledger technology. We should shine a light on the workings of our own
04:22government too. My bill with Senator Duckworth, the Comprehensive NASA Reporting Act, will require NASA
04:30to send congressionally mandated reports to authorizing committees. This legislation will help our own
04:36committee work more effectively with Mr. Isaacman, should he be confirmed. Other bills aim to protect
04:44citizens from environmental or emergency-related risks. Senator Klobuchar's and Blackburn's Enhancing First Response Act
04:52would improve emergency response by reclassifying emergency dispatchers as a protective service occupation and
05:00requiring FCC reports or hearings on disasters and 9-1-1 outages. Senator Schatz's Tame Extreme Weather and Wildfires Act, introduced with Senator Sheehy, and the
05:14Lujan, and Welch, would leverage the power of artificial intelligence for weather and wildfires forecasting.
05:22And Lulu's Law, from Senators Britt, Schatz, Fisher, and Capito, would alert beachgoers of a potential shark attack. And the Fog Observation and Geographic
05:35Forecasting Act would require the National Weather Service to improve fog forecasting with the goals of increasing vessel safety,
05:44helping the shipping industry, and keeping commerce flowing in and out of U.S. ports.
05:52All told, the nominations and bills we're voting on today represent a bipartisan vision for a secure, competitive, and safe America.
06:02I call upon my colleagues to join me in supporting them. Now turn to Ranking Member Cantwell for her opening remarks.
06:08Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
06:10The committee meets today, as you mentioned, to consider two big nominations and a promotion of Coast Guard officers and 17 bills to improve public safety,
06:18promote blockchain technology, protect our nation against malign actors, and better protect consumers from fraud, improve weather forecasting, and conserve the environment.
06:28As we continue to work through these issues, I want to thank my colleagues.
06:35Today we will consider the Sunshine Act from Senator Scott Markey, Lomas Blackburn, and Schatz.
06:41This legislation would end the practice of observing a temporary daylight savings time.
06:46While I know there are strong opinions on this issue, whether daylight saving time or standard time,
06:52in the state of Washington, we have adopted a daylight savings time if this law would be permitted, would go into effect.
07:02So I am supporting this legislation today out of committee, but I do think there are still some issues,
07:08as the chairman and other members and I were talking here, and just as we've advanced this bill in the past,
07:13I expect that there will be some continued work on this policy.
07:16We also consider enhancing First Response Act by Senator Klobuchar, Blackburn, Lujan, Sullivan, Capito, Markey, Budd, and Thune,
07:25which I also co-sponsor.
07:27Very important legislation offered by my colleague, Senator Klobuchar,
07:31that finally recognizes the life-saving work of 911 operators by reclassifying them as first responders.
07:38I thank Senator Klobuchar for her work on this important issue.
07:41The state of Washington made this change permanent in 2022, so I'm happy to see that 911 operators
07:47across the country will also be recognized.
07:50We also have before us laws by Senators Britt, Schatz, Fisher, and Capito.
07:55This bill ensures beachgoers are better informed of risk by clarifying wireless emergency alerts.
08:02We are moving the National Earthquake Hazardous Reduction Program Reauthorization Act by Senator Padilla,
08:07very important policy for the Pacific Northwest, as well as many parts of our country.
08:12This important legislation will help save lives and protect property.
08:16And today we're considering the deployment, deploying American Blockchain Act of 2025,
08:21by Senators Moreno, Blunt, Rochester, and Sheehy, which passed out of this committee last year,
08:28when it was intended to strengthen U.S. competitiveness.
08:32And we will consider the ASCEND Act from Senator Hickenlooper, very important legislation,
08:38which gives NASA the authority to procure remote sensing data and emerging from commercial vendors.
08:45I think this is important policy that will help us grow an important data information in the public sector.
08:54The Foreign Adversary Communication Transparency Act by Senators Fisher,
08:58Rose on Luan, which would increase disclosure of entities that are owned and influenced by foreign adversaries.
09:03As the chairman mentioned, important security policy.
09:06This bill had bipartisan agreement last Congress, and so I'm supportive of it in this Congress.
09:14And as we have the United States Research Protection Act of 2025 from Senators Cornyn and Curtis,
09:21this proposal amends the Chips and Science Act to strengthen and clarify protection against malign foreign actors
09:28and their recruitment, including the countries of China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia.
09:33And we also have two bills before us that aim to improve weather forecasting.
09:38The first by Senator Cruz, improved forecast of coastal marine fog.
09:43Well, there is something that Washington and Texas agree on.
09:48And we have the team Extreme Weather Wildfires Act by Senators Schatz, Sheehy, and Lujan,
09:54which improves direction from NOAA to improve the accuracy and timeliness of weather, water, and space forecasting.
10:01And the main event Ticketing Act by Senators Blackburn and Lujan, which would better protect consumers
10:08by strengthening the bots act of 2016, requiring the reporting on bots attacks on ticket sellers.
10:16So again, I think this is another attempt to try to help our consuming public afford very important venue events.
10:24I also appreciate the legislation by my colleague and myself being on the agenda.
10:31The Northwest Straits Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act, enabling the Northwest Straits
10:37Commission to continue its vital work.
10:39Puget Sound and the Straits are one of the most busiest waterways in the nation.
10:46Just happened to intersect with also some of the most beautiful habitat and species in the nation as well.
10:52So having the Straits Commission continue to do their work is very important.
10:57And a second bill related to healthy communities by Senator Cain and Warner would permit NASA to reimburse the towns
11:04in Virginia for direct cost directly associated with PFAS.
11:09I want to thank my colleagues Senator Sullivan and White House for introducing the FISH Act,
11:13which is intended to strengthen the federal government's role in reducing illegal fishing.
11:17And I want to thank them for accepting my amendment to reauthorize the vital sea grant program,
11:24which is part of this legislation today.
11:27I do remain concerned about putting more requirements upon the National Marine Fisheries Service at a time
11:34when the administration is proposing to cut their budget by 30 percent.
11:38This is an issue, Mr. Chairman, I hope that we'll have a committee hearing on and have discussion of,
11:43because I think this is critically important for many of our fishing communities around
11:50the U.S. that are managed by fisheries science policy.
11:54So if you want to have good fisheries management, you have to have the good science,
11:58you can't have the budget cuts.
12:00And we are considering also the Peters-Lumbus-Curtis bill on China and combating labor abuses of 2025,
12:12which I appreciate.
12:19With regards to the Comprehensive NOAA Reporting Act from Senator Cruz and Duckworth,
12:24I wish we would apply the same issues that we are looking here from NASA for clarity,
12:31so that we can do our oversight jobs for other agencies.
12:35I'm concerned that the committee, by not having the oversight, is literally taking the work of committee
12:40and letting the administration rearrange the deck chairs at a time when important issues are to be considered.
12:47So I will support this NASA bill today, but I think that we need to get on to other important work
12:54that this committee should be doing from an oversight role. Aviation safety, AI and quantum issues,
13:00the Surface Transportation Act reauthorization. And one of my favorite issues is shipping,
13:06where I think that the President and others have agreement that we should be doing more on shipbuilding
13:12in the United States of America. So I hope we will get to that.
13:15On the nominations, I plan to support Ms. Trustee's nomination out of the committee today.
13:20I've had conversations with Leader Thune about our ability to continue to move FCC nominations,
13:28so I will continue to support her as long as we are going to continue to support both Democrat and Republican nominees.
13:35I believe that her testimony reflects her knowledge and experience on these important policy issues.
13:40I may not always agree with her, but as long as the leader plans to continue to move nominees of both sides,
13:46I will continue to support her nomination. And on the Isaac McNomination comes before us with a wealth
13:54of business experience and space experience. I do think that innovators at this point in time,
14:01with a commitment to keeping on to the moon mission, is the key requirement that we have to have in this position.
14:08While it's not clear to me where the Trump administration will ultimately end up on the NASA budget,
14:14and I have concerns about some of their proposed cuts today, Mr. Isaacman seems to be committed to the
14:20current plan for both land or redundancy, space launch systems, and returning to the moon as fast as possible.
14:29I think this is a very big competitive issue for the United States of America. That competitiveness
14:35is not just a goal, it's a reality that someday we may wake up and find ourselves falling behind.
14:41So today I will support his nomination and hope that we will continue to get leadership out of the
14:46administration on clarification of supporting a robust NASA budget. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
14:56Thank you very much. I now recognize Senator Wicker for one day more for a motion.
15:03I appreciate that. Mr. Chairman, I move that PN 24-6 and PN 24-7 nominations of Olivia Trustee to be a
15:18member of the Federal Communications Commission be favorably reported. And I note, Mr. Chairman, that the
15:25first PN completes the term expiring June 30 of 2025. The second PN is for a term of five years from July 1st,
15:362025. Thank you. Is there a second? The clerk will call the roll for an en-block vote for two
15:44nominations for Ms. Trustee. Mr. Chairman, is there opportunity for us to make a comment?
15:49Senator Rosen. Yes, I wanted to as well. Senator Rosen. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I know this is an
15:58en-block vote, but I would have planned to vote yes on Ms. Trustee to serve on the FCC. I do believe
16:04she's well qualified for the role, but I am deeply concerned with this administration's threats to
16:09independent commissions like the FCC as the president has illegally fired Democratic commissioners of the
16:15FTC. So while I'm supporting Ms. Trustee for this position today, I cannot commit to supporting her
16:21on the floor if there are not commitments from the White House that they will respect the independence
16:26of the FCC and that, as has been precedent, this nomination is paired with a Democratic nominee
16:34on the floor. Thank you. Mr. Chairman. Senator Globetrot. I join Ms. Rosen. I support advancing
16:43her nomination because of her experience and work, but I do not believe she will have my vote on the
16:49floor if we have not advanced a Democratic nominee. Thank you. Anyone else seeking to be recognized?
16:58Then the clerk will call the roll. Mr. Thune. Mr. Wicker. Mrs. Fisher. Mr. Moran. Mr. Sullivan.
17:13Mrs. Blackburn. Aye. Mr. Young. Aye. Mr. Budd. Aye. Mr. Schmidt. Aye. Mr. Curtis. Aye. Mr. Moreno. Aye. Mr. Sheehy. Aye. Mrs. Capito. Aye.
17:27Ms. Lummis. Aye. Ms. Cantwell. Aye. Ms. Klobuchar. Aye. Mr. Schatz. Aye. Mr. Markey. Aye. Mr. Peters. No.
17:41No. Ms. Baldwin. Aye. Ms. Baldwin. Aye, by proxy. Ms. Duckworth. No. Ms. Rosen. Aye. Mr. Lujan.
17:52No. Mr. Hickenlooper. Aye, by proxy. Mr. Fetterman. Aye, by proxy. Mr. Kim.
18:02No, by proxy. Ms. Blunt. Rochester. No, by proxy. Mr. Cruz. Aye. The ayes are 21. The noes are 7.
18:12The motion is agreed to and the nominations are ordered to be reported favorably. I now recognize
18:20Senator Moran for a motion. Mr. Chairman, thank you. I move PN 1223, nomination of Jared Isaacsman,
18:26to be the administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, to be favorably reported.
18:32Is there a second? Second. Does anyone wish to be recognized for discussion?
18:45If not, the clerk will call the roll. Mr. Thune. Aye, by proxy. Mr. Wicker. Aye. Mrs. Fischer. Aye.
18:56Mr. Moran. Aye. Mr. Sullivan. Aye. Mrs. Blackburn. Aye. Mr. Young. Aye. Mr. Budd. Aye. Mr. Schmidt. Aye. Mr. Curtis. Aye, by proxy.
19:08Mr. Moreno. Aye. Mr. Sheehy. Aye. Mrs. Capito. Aye. Ms. Lemus. Aye. Ms. Cantwell. Aye. Ms. Klobuchar. No. Mr. Schatz. No. Mr. Markey.
19:24No, by proxy. No, by proxy. Mr. Peters. No. Ms. Baldwin. Aye, by proxy. Ms. Duckworth. No.
19:37Mr. Rosen. No. Mr. Lujan. No. Mr. Hickenlooper. Aye, by proxy. Mr. Fetterman. No, by proxy.
19:48Mr. Kim. Aye, by proxy. Ms. Blunt-Rochchester. No, by proxy. Mr. Cruz. Aye. The yeses are 19,
19:59the noes are 9. The motion is agreed to and the nomination is ordered to be reported favorably.
20:06I now recognize Senator Lummis for a motion. Mr. Chairman, I move that S-29, Sunshine Protection Act
20:13of 2025 as amended by Cruise 1 be favorably reported. Is there a second?
20:21Is there any discussion? I have an amendment. Senator Young.
20:26My amendment, Young 1, proposes making standard time permanent instead of the underlying bill's
20:32push for permanent daylight saving time. Indiana has a uniquely complex history with daylight savings
20:39time. Until 2006, most of our counties didn't observe it while others did, leading to a widespread
20:47confusion and inconsistency across the state. Under permanent daylight savings time, as the underlying
20:55bill allows, sunrise in central Indiana would be delayed until after 9 a.m. during much of the winter
21:01months, forcing Hoosiers to start their day in darkness. Supported by the American Academy of Sleep
21:07Medicine moving to permanent standard time is widely recognized as the healthiest option for promoting
21:14better sleep, alertness, and overall well-being. For this reason, my amendment would also change the
21:21title of this bill to Make America Rested Again Act. After surveying constituents across Indiana in recent
21:29weeks, it's clear to me there's no single right way to approach the issue of time. And regional differences
21:35play an important factor in these decisions. But if there is consensus in Congress to lock the clock,
21:42I think it is at least worth further debate and detailed analysis of whether it would be better to lock
21:48the clock on standard time, as Indiana observed until 2006, or daylight savings time. Mr. Chairman?
21:57Does Senator Young want to vote on this amendment? Yes, I request a roll call vote.
22:10I'll withdraw the amendment after your persuasive ability.
22:14The world's greatest deliberative body. Thank you. I have to say that's probably the best speech
22:31I've heard you deliver, Ted. I can't disagree.
22:36And I will say this. Look, I think Senator Young's points are heartfelt and they're serious. And my
22:46view, the hearing we had on this, there are times when you have a hearing on a bill and you're trying
22:51to move forward with the bill and you think there's a clear right answer. This is not one of those times.
22:57At least for me, the testimony we heard at the hearing was very interesting. It persuaded me
23:04that we should lock the clock, that the practice of changing, springing forward and falling back
23:11every year doesn't make sense, that it has real negative consequences, both in terms of safety,
23:16in terms of economic productivity, and so we should lock the clock. I think there were also serious
23:23arguments on both sides as to where to lock the clock. We heard serious arguments in favor of daylight
23:29savings times from golf courses and other entertainment venues that having more daylight
23:34later in the day was beneficial. We heard serious testimony from physicians that having more
23:40daylight earlier in the day was beneficial. And I think reasonable people can differ. That's one reason
23:46why I added an amendment to this, Cruise One, which delays the effective date of the act by two years.
23:54That is designed to give every state the ability to choose what's the right time to lock for your state.
24:01So if Indiana decides that standard time is the right time for Indiana, I think that's a perfectly
24:08reasonable decision for the people of Indiana to make. In Texas, the state legislature is considering
24:16legislation to have a referendum and have actually the voters of Texas decide whether Texas will be under
24:23standard time or daylight savings time. I think that's a very reasonable way to decide it as well.
24:29This bill does not purport to decide for every state in the union one way or the other, daylight
24:35savings time or standard time. Rather, it gives every state the ability to make that choice. And I think
24:41that's a reasonable decision. I hope in Texas we do see the referendum because I'd like to see the voters
24:47decide it. But with that, I don't know if there's any further discussion. If not, the clerk will call the roll.
24:57Mr. Thune.
24:59No by proxy.
25:01Mr. Wick.
25:03We're voting on the final bill.
25:04We're voting on the final bill which incorporates my amendment. So that's, this is the final bill itself.
25:09And I'll say I recognized, I don't anticipate a partisan vote on this. I think there'll be a mixed vote
25:14reflecting the different views of various states.
25:19So Thune is no by proxy.
25:21Mr. Wicker.
25:24Mrs. Fisher.
25:27Mr. Moran.
25:29Mr. Sullivan.
25:32Mrs. Blackburn.
25:35Mr. Young.
25:38Mr. Budd.
25:41Mr. Schmidt.
25:41Mr. Curtis.
25:45Aye by proxy.
25:46Mr. Moreno.
25:49Mr. Sheehy.
25:52Mrs. Capito.
25:55Ms. Lummis.
25:58Ms. Cantwell.
26:01Ms. Klobuchar.
26:04Mr. Schatz.
26:06Mr. Markey.
26:07Aye by proxy.
26:10Mr. Peters.
26:11No.
26:11Ms. Baldwin.
26:13Aye by proxy.
26:15Ms. Duckworth.
26:17No.
26:17Ms. Rosen.
26:19No.
26:20Mr. Lujan.
26:22Aye.
26:22Mr. Hickenlooper.
26:25Aye by proxy.
26:27Mr. Fetterman.
26:28Aye by proxy.
26:29Mr. Kim.
26:31Aye by proxy.
26:33Ms. Blunt Rockchester.
26:35No by proxy.
26:37Mr. Cruz.
26:38Aye.
26:39The yeses are 16.
26:41The noes are 12.
26:43Well, an interesting vote and not a partisan vote, but the motion is agreed to.
26:47I now recognize Ranking Member Cantwell for a motion.
26:53Mr. Chairman, I move that S-196, the Main Event Act, as amended by Blackburn-Lujan Substitute,
27:00S-259, the Foreign Adversary Communications Transparency Act,
27:04S-320, the National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2025,
27:10as amended by the Cruz Substitute as modified,
27:14S-580, the Combating CCP Labor Abuses Act of 2025,
27:20S-606, Contaminated Wells Relocation Act,
27:23S-688, the Fish Act of 2025, as amended by Cantwell 1,
27:29S-725, Enhancing First Responder Act, as amended by Klobuchar-Blackburn Substitute,
27:36S-769, United States Research Protection Act of 2025,
27:42S-1003, Lula's Law,
27:45S-1081, Comprehensive NASA Reporting Act of 2025, as amended by Cantwell 1, as modified,
27:52S-1278, Fog Observation Graphic Forecasting Act,
27:56S-1378, Tame Extreme Weather and Wildfires Act, as amended by the Schott Substitute, as modified,
28:05S-1433, the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act,
28:11as amended by the Cantwell Substitute, as amended by Cruz 1, as amended by Cantwell 1 to Cruz 1,
28:17and S-1437, the Ascend Act, as amended by Hickenlooper Substitute, as modified, S-1492,
28:24Deploying America Blockchain Technology Blockchains Act of 2025, be favorably reported.
28:33That was easy for you to say. Is there a second?
28:39All those in favor say aye. Mr. Chairman. Senator Moran.
28:42Mr. Chairman, I intend to oppose and vote no on S-1081, and I either need to be able to be recorded
28:49in this en blanc or have it withdrawn from the list of bills we're voting.
28:55Without objection, we will record you as voting no on the bill you specified.
28:59Thank you. All those in favor say aye.
29:02Aye. All those opposed say no.
29:07The motion is agreed to and the bills are ordered to be reported favorably.
29:10I now recognize Ranking Member Cantwell for another motion.
29:14It's number 10, the Coast Guard nomination.
29:21Before the bills, skip the Coast Guard.
29:28Mr. Chairman,
29:31I move that PN-114 nomination of John Manzaleo to be the Lieutenant Commander be favorably reported.
29:39Is there a second?
29:43All those in favor say aye.
29:44Aye.
29:45All those opposed say no.
29:48The motion is agreed to.
29:54I ask you, Senator Cantwell.
29:57I note that S-29, the Sunshine Protection Act, we did not have a sufficient number of members present
30:03voting in favor to advance the measure.
30:06There are only currently 10 ayes present.
30:15Understood.
30:15Then we will address that at a later date when we have sufficient members present.
30:19How many votes are there?
30:2115 ayes physically present.
30:29So we'll move it to the next markup and hopefully have better attendance.
30:36I ask for unanimous consent that staff are authorized to make technical and conforming changes
30:42without objection, so ordered.
30:44That concludes today's votes.
30:47Are there any members of the committee wishing to make remarks?
30:50Senator Fischer.
30:51Chairman.
30:53Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for holding today's markup.
30:57I would like to speak on item four, please.
31:00Earlier this year, I was proud to introduce S-259, the Foreign Adversary Communications Transparency Act.
31:08The FACT Act would provide essential transparency for communications services that are licensed or
31:15authorized for use within the United States. The Federal Communications Commission approves tens of
31:22thousands of equipment authorizations alone each year. These authorizations include network gear that
31:30support critical infrastructure in our energy, agriculture, health, or transportation sectors, and more.
31:37They also serve as a green light for the use of new wireless consumer devices that multiply by the day.
31:45Meanwhile, foreign adversaries like China continue to look for quiet footholds in these devices and in our
31:54networks. Until now, though, no law has required the disclosure of companies linked to foreign adversaries
32:01that are operating in the United States tech and telecom markets. My bill does this by directing the FCC to
32:09assess and identify the foreign ownership details of communications licenses and authorizations.
32:17Protecting our networks requires us to understand the threats and hold bad actors accountable.
32:25The FACT Act is a solution on both fronts by ensuring public awareness of these supply chain risks.
32:32I'm glad to have worked with Senators Rosen, Cornyn, and Lujan on this legislation.
32:39Mr. Chairman, I appreciate that you and Ranking Member Cantwell have supported the FACT Act.
32:45It is bipartisan, and the advancement out of committee today is important.
32:50This threat is urgent, and I look forward to the bill's swift consideration by the full Senate.
32:56Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
32:58Thank you. Are there other Senators wishing to be recognized?
33:01Senator Sullivan.
33:02Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I want to just comment on the FISH Act that passed with overwhelming
33:08bipartisan support. This is another measure in a long line of bipartisan, comprehensive bills that
33:15Senator Whitehouse and I have been introducing and passing over the last several years. Our Save Our Seas Act 2.0,
33:24which was the most comprehensive ocean cleanup legislation ever passed in the Congress. President
33:31Trump has been a big supporter of these clean ocean legislation initiatives. And now we have the
33:40FISH Act, which is focused on illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, which is both a challenge
33:48globally. It's a challenge for our country, and it's certainly a challenge in Alaska. Globally,
33:55IUU fishing makes up approximately 20% of global seafood harvested catches, resulting in economic losses
34:06estimated between $10 and $23 billion through fisheries that fish legally each year. And for Alaska,
34:17IUU fishing is a growing threat. It certainly is a major factor on our very low commercial salmon
34:25harvests that we've had in the last few years. There are many reasons for a smaller salmon catch in
34:31Alaska, but one of them clearly, Mr. Chairman, is foreign IUU fishing in the North Pacific and
34:39parts of Alaska's outside of Alaska's waters. At the same time, Mr. Chairman, the geopolitics of the North
34:48Pacific and the Arctic are changing. Russia and China are increasing their presence in and near Alaska's
34:56waters and within our EEZ. Both have expansive Arctic and North Pacific ambitions and presence,
35:05and they are some of the worst violators of IUU fishing. The Chinese in particular have their gray fleets
35:14that travel all over the world, off the coast of Africa, off the coast of Latin America, ravaging
35:21the high seas fishing stocks. They are literally a cancer on global fishing. And this bill goes after
35:31Russian and in particular, Chinese fishing fleets, which, oh, by the way, use slave labor.
35:37However, they are real cancer. The combating CCP abuses legislation that we just passed also focuses
35:47on China's bad actions. And this bill, Mr. Chairman, builds on other legislation that's come out of this
35:54committee, particularly Senator Wicker's Maritime Safe Act. So we think this is a very important bill.
36:01It puts IUU fishing vessels on a blacklist, raises costs for IUU vessel owners, again, mostly Chinese
36:10and importers, and supports increased Coast Guard enforcement on the high seas to work with our
36:17partners and help some countries who are being ravaged by these IUU gray fleet, Chinese fleets,
36:26that, by the way, are some of the most ruinous operations for sustainable fisheries around the
36:33world. Our bill penalizes these global bad actors in fishing and, of course, supports our American
36:41fisheries, which are the most sustainable in the world. And I want to thank my colleagues, Senator
36:47Cantwell and others, on passing the Fish Act. We look forward to bringing this to the floor
36:52soon and building on bipartisan, healthy seas, oceans, and fisheries bills that we have been
37:00passing and getting signed into law over the last several years. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
37:06I thank my friend from Alaska, and I will say in honor of this Fish Act that was expected to pass
37:12this morning, last night I had Alaskan halibut for dinner and it was delicious.
37:16That's not surprising, but I'm glad you are helping our economy. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
37:22I ask unanimous consent that a letter from Senator Hickenlooper concerning the confirmation votes
37:30today be entered in the record without objection, so ordered. If there are no other senators wishing
37:36to be recognized, that concludes our markup for today. The Executive Session is adjourned.