▶ 0:23:44Chair Cruz: Today we will consider the nomination of bryan bedford as well as a few bills. Bryan bedford is ready to be faa administrator. Over his tenure he has demonstrated a lot of bull commitment to aviation safety. He has grown republic airways to be one of the safest and largest with over 200 aircraft in the fleet. Mr.
▶ 0:24:09Chair Cruz: Bedford does not just have an exemplary safety record at republican. He is a pilot himself and he understands the challenges of the job. He is familiar with the stress and the endless medical requirements and how various air spaces work. He is just as mill your with aviation safety -- he is just as familiar with aviation safety as previous nominees if not more so. Recall one of president biden's nominees was asked or did questions about aviation safety.
▶ 0:24:39Chair Cruz: -- was asked pointed questions about aviation safety. What caused the max crashes? Democrats at the time criticized the questions, calling hatchet job and smear campaign, all while hailing the nominees experience managing buses and trains.
▶ 0:25:02Chair Cruz: Whenever the nominee was asked about a complicated aviation question he responded with answers like I am not a pilot, I do not know, I would lean on our career employees. Bryan bedford is a pilot. He knows aviation and when he listens to faa employees he will actually understand what they are talking about. I would hope my colleagues in the other side of the aisle who were prepared to support the least qualified nominee for faa administrator ever it be excited to support the very qualified Mr. bedford today.
▶ 0:25:36Chair Cruz: This committee understands how important it is to have an faa administrator with actual experience. In january army black hawk helicopter collided with american airlines flight 5342, killing 67 people. It was the deadliest accident in the united states in more than 15 years. Family members of some of the victims are here today. I want to thank them for their continued advocacy.
▶ 0:26:04Chair Cruz: As the faa prepares to overhaul the air traffic control system for the 21st century the agency needs a steady leader with experience. We are preparing to invest more than $12 billion in air traffic control. This investment in new radar, telecommunication facilities and other technologies will improve the safety and reliability of the system. It is a sorely needed investment and it will take a proven manager to make the most of it.
▶ 0:26:36Chair Cruz: Bryan bedford will modernize the faa meet today's challenges. We are also considering five pieces of legislation. Many of these bills will help ensure U.S. leadership in the global arena. The restoring confidence in the world anti-doping agency act of 2025 underscores the importance of fair play in international sports.
▶ 0:27:01Chair Cruz: As noted in a commerce subcommittee, wada allowed chinese athletes who tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs to compete in the olympics without consequences. Other bills will strengthen key industries. The space commerce advisory committee will ensure key stakeholders have a seat at the table to shape the nascent commercial space agency.
▶ 0:27:31Chair Cruz: The critical infrastructure manufacturing feasibility act will support the developer and of our domestic capacity and critical manufacturer. Perhaps the most consequential bills we are going on today is senator markey's children and teen online privacy act. Today's teens are growing up in a phone-based world fraught with new challenges.
▶ 0:27:56Chair Cruz: This bill updates data and privacy protections from the original enacted in 1998 to cover minors between the ages of 13 and 16. It has strong support from members on and off this committee and I urge my colleagues to support the nominee and the legislation we are considering. We've just got informed we have several members we need to go.
▶ 0:28:19Sen. Cantwell: I would like to make a statement. I will make it fast. Today we are here to consider the nomination of bryan bedford to be the a ministry or of the faa. I want to welcome the families from flight 5342. As I said to you yesterday I don't want to meet more people like you.
▶ 0:28:42Sen. Cantwell: I thank you for the fact that you, just like the max crash families, are the people giving the backbone to the faa for doing its job. Thank you for being here. We will also consider five bills that address protecting children online, ensuring fair U.S.
▶ 0:29:05Sen. Cantwell: Representation at the world anti-doping association, establishing commercial space advisory committee, reducing infrastructure manufacturing phone abilities, protecting marine mammals while creating opportunities for alaska native artists. The children and teens online privacy protection act would strengthen online privacy protections for children's and teens.
▶ 0:29:27Sen. Cantwell: The bill would expand the definition of personal information to include sensitive data like geolocation information, and finally the bill would require -- would revise the current knowledge standard to actual knowledge. This is a very important change and will add a lot more protection to children. These changes will protect kids and make it easier to hold violators accountable.
▶ 0:29:50Sen. Cantwell: Restoring confidence in the world anti-doping agency act and accountability and independence of the world anti-doping agency as well as fair representation in the united states. In the absence of reform the bills grant the U.S. options to withhold dues without payments from wada.
▶ 0:30:13Sen. Cantwell: We want to ensure the international games are fared and senator moran and I offered transportation assistance for the world cup cities. This is endorsed by the U.S. soccer federation and U.S. travel.
▶ 0:30:34Sen. Cantwell: While this did not make it into a final bill I am hoping the chairman will be working with us to look at this issue in july because it is critically important for millions of fans visiting 11 cities in the los angeles olympics and paralympics. I appreciate senator cruz saying he will work with us in july to get us feedback on this legislation.
▶ 0:30:58Sen. Cantwell: We also want to thank the space advisory committee act to establish a 15 member federal advisory committee to provide industry input on space activities and critical infrastructure manufacturing feasible act -- the feasibility of domestically manufacturing materials for critical infrastructure and finally the artists act from senator sullivan and murkowski would allow for the sale of alaska native handcrafts and clothing outside the state of alaska.
▶ 0:31:27Sen. Cantwell: This bill does not authorize any additional -- instead it allows the sale of products already produced in alaska to be sold outside the state and pleasing economic activity for native alaskan families.
▶ 0:31:44Sen. Cantwell: The coast guard nominees, I would like to recognize commander allen rosenberg who is nominated for captain and his wife michelle who is stationed at my office for two years and still known for her leadership during the ballast water debate. Very proud of them. This is a committee issue for decades. We finally got it resolved. Very much appreciate her on that.
▶ 0:32:11Sen. Cantwell: On the final nomination of bryan bedford, nominated to serve as the admin straight or of the federal aviation administration. He has been the ceo for public airways, one of largest regional carriers in north america and is responsible for ensuring 2.9 million passengers -- the faa is responsible for the safety of 2.9 million passengers and 45,000 flights a day. Today the faa face incredibly challenging environment.
▶ 0:32:42Sen. Cantwell: Too many times with families of lost loved ones, too much time on the phone every day with the ntsb or the faa. We need an air traffic control system that is comprehensive and I look forward to looking with the secretary and the chairman on those issues. New technologies, staffing shortages need to be addressed in an faa that has the capacity to grow with the demand we are facing.
▶ 0:33:09Sen. Cantwell: The agency must tackle safety gaps that contributed to the tragic pollution near dcaa that took the lives of 67 people and prevent future accidents. Yesterday the ntsb met to ensure safety recommendations to address the critical challenges facing the aviation manufacturers that are coming up production lines at the highest safety and quality standards we need to make sure are implemented.
▶ 0:33:33Sen. Cantwell: The alaska flight 1282 incident is a serious reminder of the faa need for proactive, not reactive oversight approach. The faa needs an administrator who will be a strong cop on the beat. I do not believe Mr. bedford answered the senate questions when we gave him various chances to say how he would approach the job. Mr.
▶ 0:33:58Sen. Cantwell: Bedford attacked the 1500 hour rule as a pillar of modern aviation safety that we believe is the framework after the 34 a seven flight and was given multiple chances -- the 3407 light. Instead he would not commit to weakening the 1500 hour rule. For this and many other reasons I will not support Mr. bedford's nomination. I will put the rest of this in the record.
▶ 0:34:25Sen. Cantwell: We clearly need to change the faa ended administrator who will need that. Thank you Mr. chairman.
▶ 0:34:33Chair Cruz: I recognize senator young for a motion.
▶ 0:34:37Sen. Young: I view pn 556, nomination of bryan bedford, be favorably reported. Is there a second? The clerk will call the role?
▶ 0:34:52Sen. Young: >> [roll call] the
▶ 0:35:49Sen. Young: Ayes are 15 and the nos are 13.
▶ 0:35:54Chair Cruz: The motion is agreed to and recommended to be reported favorably. I recognize senator cantwell for a motion.
▶ 0:36:06Sen. Cantwell: I move pn 243 list be favorably reported.
▶ 0:36:13Chair Cruz: All of those in favor say aye. The motion is agreed to and the nominations are ordered to be reported favorably. I recognize ranking member cantwell for an additional motion.
▶ 0:36:25Sen. Cantwell: I move that s 23 3, restoring confidence in the world anti-doping act modified, 2354, s 234 the space commerce act, s836, children and teens online privacy protection act
▶ 0:36:57Sen. Cantwell: And s8 and s1872 be favorably reported.
▶ 0:37:07Chair Cruz: Is there a second? All of those in favor say aye. The motion is agreed to and all of the bills are ordered to be reported favorably. >> I would like to be recorded a no on s344.
▶ 0:37:24Chair Cruz: You will be so reported. Staff are authorized to make technical changes. Are there any members wishing to make remarks? Senator sullivan?
▶ 0:37:37Sen. Sullivan: I want to thank you and the ranking member for working with me to get my bill alaska's right to ivory sales and tradition, the artist act on this markup and I was pleased to see it was unanimously passed by my colleagues. For thousands of years alaska natives have responsibly harvested whales, walrus, and other marine mammals. These animals are eaten and no part of the mo goes to waste.
▶ 0:38:08Sen. Sullivan: The inuit people -- no part of the animal goes to waste. The inuit people come to my office. You've seen the beautiful art on my wall. These alaskan handicrafts are deeply ingrained part of the culture of alaska and provide economic opportunity for many alaska villages for artist when these handicrafts are sold.
▶ 0:38:35Sen. Sullivan: These artists carve walrus ivory and other types of ivory in a way that is completely legal under federal law. Completely legal under federal law. It has been for decades. Unfortunately some states have implemented ivory bands. -- ivory bans. These are well-intentioned and focused on african elephant ivory that may have encompassed and ensnared this legal work.
▶ 0:39:08Sen. Sullivan: States, some of them have banned this kind of artwork among americans throughout the country. I don't want to assume their reasoning. It has nothing to do with the legal artwork that happens in alaska.
▶ 0:39:23Sen. Sullivan: As a result our beautiful alaska native handicrafts have been banned in certain states and visitors to alaska one to bring them home -- visitors to alaska want to bring them home but even something as simple as earrings, they feel they cannot. My bill bands states from banning the importation or sale of alaska handicrafts made of ivory allowing this condition to continue and be shared with our neighbors in the lower 48.
▶ 0:39:55Sen. Sullivan: Completely legal under federal law and has been for decades. We are just clarifying that. I want to thank the chairman and ranking member and all of my colleagues on this committee for their strong unanimous bipartisan support for the artist act. Thank you. >> Mr. chairman? I ask unanimous consent to be counted as a no on the faa nominee as though I were present at the time of the roll call.
▶ 0:40:28Sen. Sullivan: >> thank you, Mr. chairman and thank you to ranking member cantwell. We are in a partnership in my legislation with senator cassidy, the children and teens online privacy protection act 2.0. Today's vote demonstrates broad support for coppa 2.0.
▶ 0:40:53Sen. Sullivan: Our legislation has been vetted and is desperately needed to address the youth mental health crisis raging in our country. The numbers are staggering. According to the centers of disease control and prevention in 2023, one in four teenage girls seriously considered suicide. One in eight teenage girls attempted suicide in 2023 in the united states of america.
▶ 0:41:17Sen. Sullivan: One in five lgbtq high school students attempted suicide in the united states of america in 2023. The legislation would help to critical steps to help lessen the crisis.
▶ 0:41:34Sen. Sullivan: Coppa 2.0 bands targeted advertising to children and teens to ensure no company can target teenage girls with ads for weight loss drugs or beauty drugs, the types of ads and shooting to this youth mental health crisis.
▶ 0:41:50Sen. Sullivan: Coppa 2.0 also expands existing online privacy protections to teenagers and gives kids in a race button so there -- gives kids an erase button. This bill is not controversial. This is the third time this committee has advanced this legislation that passed the senate by an overwhelming 91-3 vote last year.
▶ 0:42:19Sen. Sullivan: Just yesterday google endorsed it. That is a power for signal -- that is a powerful signal that one of the largest players recognizing the urgent need for protection for young ones. I am proud that with today's vote we are one step closer to enacting these vital reforms. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the senate and house to get this across the finish line. We cannot wait any longer.
▶ 0:42:50Sen. Sullivan: Kids in our country deserve an internet that protects their privacy and prioritizes their well-being over corporate profits. I thank you and ranking member cantwell and all members of the committee for your support on this legislation. I also want to second the ranking member's remarks that we need to get critical transit funding to world cup host cities. With the world cup coming to town transit agencies will now have to move several times the amount of people that attend a taylor swift concert.
▶ 0:43:21Sen. Sullivan: This committee should work to advance the legislation. Senator moran authorized short-term assistance for our host cities. The world cup is coming and we have to be ready. I thank you and I yelled back.
▶ 0:43:35Chair Cruz: Senator blackburn?
▶ 0:43:38Sen. Blackburn: In the world anti-doping agency act. This legislation will hold the world anti-doping agency or wada accountable and give the omdcp the permanent authority to withhold funds to wada if they failed to implement meaningful governance reforms.
▶ 0:44:10Sen. Blackburn: In 2021 credible allegations emerged that 23 chinese swimmers tested positive for a banned substance just months before the tokyo olympics. Instead of watching an investigation as is required by their code, wada did what they do best. That covered up wrongdoing by a communist regime instead of -- they covered up wrongdoing by a communist regime.
▶ 0:44:39Sen. Blackburn: They attempted to stonewall, threaten, and intimidate america , which is their largest contributor of dues. This legislation would help ensure american athletes never again have to wonder if their competitors are playing by the same rules. As you look ahead to the 2028 summer games in l.a., the 2034 winter games in salt lake city, this cannot be more important.
▶ 0:45:10Sen. Blackburn: It is an issue of fairness for our U.S. athletes. I am grateful to senator van hollen for his steadfast support and to my colleagues on the committee who also have cosponsored the bill. Senator capito, senator wicker, senator blunt rochester, and senator lujan. I'm grateful to chairman cruz for his partnership.
▶ 0:45:38Sen. Blackburn: I look forward to advancing it from the senate floor to the president's desk. Thank you, Mr. chairman.
▶ 0:45:43Chair Cruz: Thank you. That concludes our markup for today. The executive session is adjourned.