WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will hold an Executive Session on Tuesday, December 9, 2014, to consider nominations. Further details regarding the nominations, location, and time will be announced soon.
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Sports have always played a significant cultural role in the United States. Just last week on Thanksgiving, millions of Americans tuned in to watch three NFL games – yearly games that have become almost as much a part of the Thanksgiving tradition as the turkey itself. Athletes, too, have been cultural icons in American history, and, whether we like it or not, they have served as role models for our youth. Generations of children have grown up watching sporting events with their parents – it’s a family affair – and game-day traditions have been handed down from one generation to the next. Kids wear the jerseys of their favorite players, collect their cards, and hang their posters on their walls.
Given this reality, I don’t want to hear any patronizing lectures about how domestic violence is a larger, societal problem and not unique to sports. Of course, we all know that. Of course, we all know that domestic violence is a criminal act, and we as a nation must collectively and aggressively address this terrible problem. But given the high-profile nature of professional sports, when a celebrity athlete is charged with committing domestic violence, it uniquely reverberates throughout our society. And because professional sports enjoy unique benefits bestowed upon them by the public – such as public funds for stadiums or exemptions from anti-trust laws – it is entirely proper for this Committee to focus its attention on how professional sports leagues and their unions are handling the problem of domestic violence within their ranks.
Consequently, at today’s hearing, I want to learn what the four major professional sports leagues and their players’ associations are doing to address this problem. I want to know if they are developing uniform policies that will effectively and appropriately punish players who commit violent criminal acts against women and children. I want to learn what the leagues can already do with their existing authorities and what must be the subject of new collective bargaining.
I also want to be clear: the problem of domestic violence in professional sports is not a problem unique to the NFL. While the NFL has made most of the recent headlines – both for shocking, high-profile incidents and for the league’s controversial response – all of the professional sports leagues represented here today have a problem with athletes or employees who have committed violent, criminal acts. And up until very recently, the leagues’ records have not been very good. There is a long list of players in the NFL, NBA, NHL, and Major League Baseball who have been charged with, and in some cases convicted of, domestic violence, and the leagues have done little to nothing in response. In fact, the press has reported that a culture of silence within the leagues often prevents victims from reporting their abuse to law enforcement. This has to change.
Lastly, I want to express my disappointment with the leagues and their unions for not sending their top officials to this hearing. Some of the invited witnesses didn’t even send executives; some sent outside counsel. The sole exception is the National Basketball Players Association and its Executive Director, Michele Roberts. Ms. Roberts, I want to thank you for appearing before us today. I’ve been told that long-standing travel plans and ongoing investigations are the reasons why the commissioners and the other executive directors cannot be here today. I don’t accept that. Travel plans can be changed. This Committee has held hearings in which CEOs of companies under criminal investigation have testified. When witnesses refuse to show up and testify, my experience tells me that they are afraid of something. And given the scope and severity of this problem, I find their absence troubling.
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WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senator John Thune (R-South Dakota), ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee today issued the following remarks as prepared at a Commerce hearing entitled “Addressing Domestic Violence in Professional Sports”:
“Thank you, Chairman Rockefeller, for holding this hearing to discuss the serious issue of domestic violence in professional sports.
“Recent events have brought domestic violence issues involving professional athletes to the forefront of our national discussion. As a father of two daughters, I found the graphic security camera footage of Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice and his then-fiancée, to be sickening.
“The NFL’s initial response to this matter was completely inadequate. A two-game suspension is a paltry sentence for such violent behavior. At best, the NFL failed to understand the scope and severity of the incident. At worst, by waiting to suspend Mr. Rice only after the elevator video was made public, the NFL has sent a mixed message to millions of fans and the general public about how it handles such acts of violence.
“Of course, these issues are not unique to professional football. As we will hear today, every league has experienced similar acts of violence by their respective players over the years. I am troubled by the recent remarks of the Commissioner of Baseball that seemed to downplay the extent of the problem within his sport. Rather than minimizing the issue, I believe the correct approach is for the leagues to engage in meaningful talks with their players unions and other stakeholders to ensure player conduct policies are sufficient when such acts of violence are carried out. That may mean renegotiating certain contract provisions and strengthening penalties where appropriate. Questions of due process, such as determining if, when, and how a player should be disciplined, are also an important part of this conversation.
“But this is a conversation that needs to take place, because sadly this issue isn’t going away anytime soon. While I am encouraged to hear that, in many of the leagues represented here today, the conversation has begun, we should be working toward a consistent policy when it comes to such acts of violence.
“This problem is also not limited to professional sports. Statistics indicate that this brand of violence extends well beyond what is covered by the tabloids and sports media. According to the Department of Justice, there are approximately 960,000 reported cases of domestic violence each year. Eighty-five percent of the victims are females, and twenty-five percent of women experience domestic violence during their lifetime.
“Violence of any kind, but particularly against women and children, is simply unacceptable.
“It is my hope that today’s hearing will shed some light on what professional sports leagues are doing to address these issues. And if, as many believe, the current policies of the national sports leagues are insufficient to address these concerns in an adequate and equitable manner, I am hopeful that today’s hearing will put pressure on the leagues and players unions to make whatever changes are necessary to ensure that such acts of violence are addressed swiftly and perpetrators are disciplined appropriately.
“Mr. Chairman, in the past, we have used our jurisdiction in this area to examine a number of issues ranging from steroids in sports, to protecting children from concussions. Often, when we turn our attention to issues involving professional sports, some question whether it is the best use of our time and resources. For instance, in 2005, this Committee held a series of hearings to examine the policies of Major League Baseball concerning the use of steroids. While I was not on the Committee at the time, I am aware of some of the headlines that these hearings generated, including those that called the steroid hearings a waste of time and money.
“But Mr. Chairman, as a result of those hearings, something remarkable happened. Major League Baseball turned the corner from its sordid, so-called “Steroid Era” and implemented a series of sweeping reforms which we are still witnessing.
“Our Committee’s ability to shine a bright light on problems in the world of sports is often all it takes to induce real and meaningful change. We have been able to do so without changes to federal law.
“So I believe this hearing is important. Questions surrounding how professional sports leagues address domestic violence are valid ones and rightly warrant scrutiny by this Committee. Professional athletes and the teams they play for are, for better or worse, role models and opinion makers. What they do to combat this unacceptable behavior can help set an example, especially for the youngsters who grow up watching them.
“And, while I thank the witnesses for being here today, it is disappointing that the league commissioners are not here to speak for their sports. It is also unfortunate that, with the notable exception of the NBA players association, the heads of the other players associations are not here today.
“These are issues that are not – and should not be – partisan. And it may very well be appropriate for the Committee to revisit this topic in the next Congress to assess the progress of the leagues and the players associations in dealing with domestic violence.”
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WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Democratic and Republican leaders of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee announced today that they have reached a bipartisan agreement on legislation that authorizes the U.S. Coast Guard and its vital missions.
Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), House Transportation Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA), Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member John Thune (R-SD), and House Transportation Committee Ranking Member Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) released the following statement in making today's announcement:
“Day in and day out, the dedicated men and women of the Coast Guard enforce U.S. law on our waterways and the high seas, protecting the lives of those at sea, and securing our borders against illegal drug and human trafficking. This bipartisan, bicameral measure helps ensure that the Service has the necessary tools to carry out its important missions, and also recognizes how essential a healthy maritime transportation sector is to our economy, our competiveness, and our national security.”
House and Senate negotiations on the final measure began earlier this year, after the House approved legislation reauthorizing the Coast Guard on April 1, 2014. The newly announced bipartisan agreement is expected to be considered in the House under suspension of the rules Wednesday, December 3rd, and similar efforts to consider the measure will also occur in the Senate this week.
The Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014 (H.R. 5769) includes provisions that:
· Authorize the Coast Guard for fiscal year 2015 at fiscally responsible levels
· Support Coast Guard servicemembers and their families
· Help replace and modernize aging Coast Guard assets in a cost effective manner
· Provide new authorities the Coast Guard needs to prepare for its operations and for the safety of maritime transportation in the Arctic
· Encourage the Coast Guard to work with the private sector
· Enhance Congressional oversight
· Improve Coast Guard acquisition activities
· Work to reduce the Coast Guard’s excess property inventory
· Require development of a National Maritime Strategy
· Create opportunities for veterans
· Support U.S. flagged and crewed vessels
· Reduce regulatory burdens to create jobs and encourage economic growth
· Reform the Federal Maritime Commission
The legislation is named in honor of retiring Congressman and long-serving House Transportation Committee Member Howard Coble, the only current Member of Congress to have served in the Coast Guard, and a strong supporter of the Service.
For more details about the Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014, click image above.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Democratic and Republican leaders of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee announced today that they have reached a bipartisan agreement on legislation that authorizes the U.S. Coast Guard and its vital missions.
Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), House Transportation Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA), Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member John Thune (R-SD), and House Transportation Committee Ranking Member Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) released the following statement in making today's announcement:
“Day in and day out, the dedicated men and women of the Coast Guard enforce U.S. law on our waterways and the high seas, protecting the lives of those at sea, and securing our borders against illegal drug and human trafficking. This bipartisan, bicameral measure helps ensure that the Service has the necessary tools to carry out its important missions, and also recognizes how essential a healthy maritime transportation sector is to our economy, our competiveness, and our national security.”
House and Senate negotiations on the final measure began earlier this year, after the House approved legislation reauthorizing the Coast Guard on April 1, 2014. The newly announced bipartisan agreement is expected to be considered in the House under suspension of the rules Wednesday, December 3rd, and similar efforts to consider the measure will also occur in the Senate this week.
The Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014 (H.R. 5769) includes provisions that:
· Authorize the Coast Guard for fiscal year 2015 at fiscally responsible levels
· Support Coast Guard servicemembers and their families
· Help replace and modernize aging Coast Guard assets in a cost effective manner
· Provide new authorities the Coast Guard needs to prepare for its operations and for the safety of maritime transportation in the Arctic
· Encourage the Coast Guard to work with the private sector
· Enhance Congressional oversight
· Improve Coast Guard acquisition activities
· Work to reduce the Coast Guard’s excess property inventory
· Require development of a National Maritime Strategy
· Create opportunities for veterans
· Support U.S. flagged and crewed vessels
· Reduce regulatory burdens to create jobs and encourage economic growth
· Reform the Federal Maritime Commission
The legislation is named in honor of retiring Congressman and long-serving House Transportation Committee Member Howard Coble, the only current Member of Congress to have served in the Coast Guard, and a strong supporter of the Service.
For more details about the Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014, click image above.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-W. Va.), Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, and Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL), requested documents and information from Honda North America, Inc., regarding defective airbags manufactured by Takata Corporation. The letter also requests further information on Honda’s failure to report 1,729 incidents of injury or death to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Senators’ letter to Honda President, Takuji Yamada, follows the Committee’s hearing last week, “Examining Takata Airbag Defects and the Vehicle Recall Process.” The airbags led to a series of recalls beginning in 2008. The most recent recalls for Takata airbags now encompass 10 automobile manufactures and affect 7.8 million vehicles in the United States.
The letter is below.WASHINGTON, D.C.— Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today announced the witness list for the full committee hearing scheduled for Tuesday, December 2, 2014 at 2:30 p.m. titled, “Addressing Domestic Violence in Professional Sports.”
The hearing will examine the current policies of the National Football League (NFL), Major League Baseball (MLB), the National Basketball Association (NBA), and the National Hockey League (NHL) with regard to domestic violence. Specifically, the hearing will examine how those policies deter violent acts, promote awareness, provide due process, and punish those who commit acts of domestic violence. The hearing will also examine future policies that are being considered for implementation.
WITNESS LIST*:
• Mr. Troy Vincent, Executive Vice President of Football Operations, National Football League (NFL)
• Mr. Joe Torre, Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations, Major League Baseball (MLB)
• Ms. Virginia Seitz, Counsel, Major League Baseball Players Association
• Ms. Kathleen Behrens, Executive Vice President, Social Responsibility & Player Programs, National Basketball Association (NBA)
• Ms. Michele Roberts, Executive Director, National Basketball Players Association
• Ms. Jessica Berman, Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, National Hockey League (NHL)
• Mr. Steve Fehr, Special Counsel, National Hockey League Players’ Association
The National Football League Players’ Association refused to send a representative.
*Witness not necessarily in order of testimony.
For reporters interested in reserving a seat, please contact the press gallery:
Please note the hearing will be webcast live via the Senate Commerce Committee website. Refresh the Commerce Committee homepage 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time to automatically begin streaming the webcast.
Individuals with disabilities who require an auxiliary aid or service, including closed captioning service for the webcast hearing, should contact Stephanie Gamache at 202-224-5511 at least three business days in advance of the hearing date.
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WASHINGTON, D.C.— The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Committee will hold a hearing on Wednesday, December 3, 2014, to consider
transportation safety related nominations. Additional details regarding timing
and witness list will be forthcoming shortly.
NOMINATIONS HEARING*
Date: December 3, 2014
Hearing Start Time: To Be Determined
Location: 253 Russell Senate Office Building
*Witness list is forthcoming.
For reporters interested in reserving a seat, please contact the
press gallery:
Please note the hearing will be webcast live via the Senate
Commerce Committee website. Refresh the Commerce Committee
homepage 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time to automatically begin
streaming the webcast.
Individuals with disabilities who require an auxiliary aid or service,
including closed captioning service for the webcast hearing, should contact
Stephanie Gamache at 202-224-5511 at least three business days in advance of
the hearing date.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, issued the following statement after Honda announced that it had underreported the number of deaths and injuries linked to defects in its vehicles.
“Honda’s failure to report important safety information to NHTSA is unacceptable. Even if such omissions were inadvertent and due to sloppy data management, it highlights the need to properly sanction companies who fail to provide NHTSA with the data it needs to protect the driving public. We must lift the statutory cap on civil penalties to make clear the need for companies to better follow NHTSA’s reporting requirements.”
In June, Rockefeller introduced the Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 2014, which would raise the cap on civil penalties for safety violations by auto manufacturers. The bill would also:
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-W. Va.), Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, and Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL), this week requested documents and information from Takata Corporation regarding the defective airbags manufactured by the company. The Senators’ letter to Takata Chairman and CEO Shigehisa Takada follows the Committee’s hearing last week, “Examining Takata Airbag Defects and the Vehicle Recall Process.” The airbags led to a series of recalls beginning in 2008. The most recent recalls for Takata airbags encompassed 10 automobile manufactures and affected 7.8 million vehicles in the United States. Those numbers could greatly increase as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has called for a significant expansion of the current recall effort.
Click here to view the letter.
