Thank you, Lori, for that kind introduction. And thank you, NOAA Administrator Dr. Rick Spinrad and National Hurricane Center Director Ken Graham for inviting me to join you today. I’d also like to welcome our interagency colleagues from the Air Force as well as FEMA Deputy Associate Administrator David Bibo. Their presence today proves that predicting, preparing for, and responding to hurricanes...

In 1978, a joint congressional resolution established Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week. The first 10 days of May were chosen to coincide with two important milestones in Asian/Pacific American history: the arrival in the United States of the first Japanese immigrants (May 7, 1843) and contributions of Chinese workers to the building of the transcontinental railroad completed May 10, 1869. In...

Secretary Raimondo and Deputy Secretary Graves kicked off Public Service Recognition Week by hosting an in-person and virtual discussion with Commerce employees on the Department’s recently released strategic plan. In tandem with President Biden’s Fiscal Year 2023 Budget, the 2022-2026 strategic plan was released on March 28, 2022 and summarizes key strategies that will drive progress in five goal...

As part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s ongoing commitment to Puerto Rico, Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves visited the island from April 21-22. This visit represents the latest in a series of high-level U.S. government officials travelling to the island, focusing on supporting Puerto Rico’s long-term recovery and resilience — an important priority for President Biden. While there...

Today, Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo met virtually with European Commission Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager to discuss their shared objectives in preparation for the upcoming U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council Ministerial taking place in France between May 15-16. In particular, the discussion centered on ongoing efforts in the five working groups that the Department of...

The $300 million of technical assistance includes $100 million for the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency to provide technical assistance to underserved entrepreneurs seeking greater access to capital, including venture capital financing. Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury) announced plans to deploy $300 million of State Small Business Credit...

Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Biden-Harris Administration joined 60 global partners in launching The Declaration for the Future of the Internet, recommitting to the vision of the global Internet as a platform for openness and innovation, while promoting and protecting human rights. “The goal of reliable, interoperable, and secure internet worldwide is central to the work we are...

Chair Cantwell, Ranking Member Wicker, and members of the Committee, thank you for this opportunity to discuss President Biden’s Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Request for the U.S. Department of Commerce. The priorities funded in this Budget build upon the investments you enacted in Fiscal Year 2022, and I am grateful for your support as we look forward to accomplishing even more in Fiscal Year 2023. The...