Cantwell Criticizes Improper, Partisan Subpoenas Sought by Chair
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This morning, Commerce Committee Ranking Member Senator Maria Cantwell, criticized efforts by Chair Cruz to authorize the issuance of an overly broad and unnecessary subpoena to Boston Logan airport regarding undocumented immigrants sleeping inside the facility, a practice banned by Governor Healey in July 2024. Massport, the operator of the airport, had already promised to provide responses to the Chair by March 10. Ranking Member Cantwell also spoke out against the Chair's plan – withdrawn prior to the markup – to authorize a subpoena to a small woman-owned business. The business was fulfilling its obligations under a Department of Commerce contract, executed during the first Trump Administration, to provide training to clients on high-risk employment issues like sexual harassment and unlawful discrimination, though Cruz cited it as an investigation into DEI training. The Chair lacked a quorum necessary to vote on the authorization.
