GOP Senators, National Security, and Telecom Experts Stress Importance of Expanding Access to Spectrum for National and Economic Security

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week’s Senate Commerce Committee hearing titled “America Offline? How Spectrum Auction Delays Give China the Edge and Cost Us Jobs,” Senate Republicans emphasized the importance of American leadership in spectrum policy to protect our national security, prevent Chinese control of global communications networks, upgrade U.S. military capability and drive economic growth. National security and telecom experts agreed that expanding commercial access to mid-band spectrum can support both consumer needs and national security. Senators warned that delays in auctions hurt national defense and America’s efforts to lead in global technology.

Sen. Cruz: Spectrum Pipeline Means Faster Internet, More Jobs, Stronger National Defense

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In his opening statement at today’s Senate Commerce Committee hearing titled “America Offline? How Spectrum Auction Delays Give China the Edge and Cost Us Jobs,” Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) raised the alarm on the urgent need to auction spectrum to preserve America’s global technology leadership, protect national security, create millions of jobs, and improve the lives of American consumers. Spectrum auctions have unlocked billions for the Treasury while enabling our nation’s wireless networks to deliver better connectivity, fueling the rise of breakthroughs from the iPhone to generative AI.

Cruz Congratulates Howard Lutnick on Senate Confirmation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Senate voted to confirm Mr. Howard Lutnick, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be U.S. Secretary of Commerce, by a vote of 51 yeas to 45 nays. Previously, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, chaired by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), voted to advance Mr. Lutnick’s nomination to the full Senate by a vote of 16–12.

Senate Commerce Announces Nominations Hearing for Michael Kratsios to Lead the Office of Science and Technology Policy and Mark Meador to Serve as a Federal Trade Commissioner

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, will convene a nominations hearing for Michael Kratsios, nominee to be Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, and Mark Meador, nominee to be a Federal Trade Commissioner, at 10:00 AM EST on Tuesday, February 25, 2025.

Cantwell Statement on Firings of FAA Employees

Today, Sen. Maria Cantwell, ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, released the following statement about reports that FAA safety employees who have served less than one year at the agency, including to technicians working under FAA’s Air Traffic Organization, have been fired as part of the DOGE-led federal workforce cuts