United States Senate Committee On Commerce, Science, And Transportation
Recent News About United States Senate Committee On Commerce, Science, And Transportation
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Cruz-led investigation scrutinizes NSF's allocation of funds under Biden-Harris administration
The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee, under the leadership of Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas), has released an investigative report examining how the National Science Foundation (NSF) allocates taxpayer funds intended for scientific research. The report indicates that more than a quarter of NSF spending is directed towards what it describes as left-wing ideological initiatives presented as "academic research." It highlights concerns about the radicalization within the scientific community and on American campuses, citing recent incidents of campus antisemitism.
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Cruz-Kelly chips reform law aims to boost U.S. semiconductor industry
U.S. Senator Ted Cruz has announced the signing of a bipartisan bill aimed at expediting semiconductor manufacturing plant construction, which he co-authored with Senator Mark Kelly. The legislation, known as the Kelly-Cruz bill, seeks to remove obstacles related to environmental reviews and permits for microchip projects. It is designed to lower compliance costs for chip manufacturers and accelerate construction timelines across Texas and the nation.
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Bipartisan effort to protect teens from deepfake 'revenge porn' blocked in Senate
Senator Ted Cruz's bipartisan effort to pass the Tools to Address Known Exploitation by Immobilizing Technological Deepfakes on Websites and Networks (TAKE IT DOWN) Act faced an unexpected hurdle when Senator Cory Booker objected without providing a reason. The bill, co-sponsored by Senator Amy Klobuchar, aims to criminalize the publication of non-consensual, sexually exploitative images, including AI-generated deepfakes. It also mandates social media platforms to implement notice and takedown processes.
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Senator Ted Cruz supports transportation nominees at Senate Commerce Committee hearing
In his opening statement at the Senate Commerce Committee nominations hearing, Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) expressed support for Lanhee Chen's nomination to the Amtrak Board of Directors. He also emphasized the roles of the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in protecting consumers and promoting transportation safety.
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House approves bipartisan semiconductor permitting reform bill
The House of Representatives has approved a bipartisan bill co-authored by Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) aimed at expediting the construction of semiconductor manufacturing plants. The legislation, which previously passed the Senate unanimously, now awaits the President's signature.
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Senator Ted Cruz criticizes federal handling of aviation cybersecurity
In his opening statement at the Senate Commerce Committee hearing titled "Aviation Cybersecurity Threats," Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas) criticized the federal government's inconsistent handling of its own cybersecurity while imposing stringent standards on the private sector. Sen. Cruz expressed concerns over the complexity and inefficiencies within various agencies involved in cybersecurity, highlighting overlapping regulations and insufficient expertise, particularly at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
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Senator Cruz questions industry influence on Biden-Harris AI executive order
U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has raised concerns about the Biden-Harris administration's collaboration with the RAND Corporation in drafting the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Executive Order. In a letter to RAND’s president and CEO, Cruz highlighted RAND’s significant funding from tech billionaires who support the “effective altruism” movement and its past involvement in government efforts to censor online speech.
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Cruz introduces bill targeting eco-terrorism against U.S. energy infrastructure
U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas) is spearheading an initiative to introduce the Safe and Secure Transportation of American Energy Act, aimed at protecting American energy infrastructure from attacks by radical environmentalists. This legislation seeks to expand current criminal penalties to include acts of vandalism, tampering with, or disrupting the operations or construction of pipelines.
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Senators demand answers over software project disrupting NOAA operations
U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas) led a group of Senate colleagues in demanding answers regarding the implementation of the Department of Commerce’s (DOC) new financial management system. The system has disrupted the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) weather forecast operations, delayed aid money for fishery disasters, particularly in Alaska’s small coastal communities, threatened the availability of safety information for aviators and mariners, and left agency employees without reimbursement for official travel expenses.
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Senator Cruz investigates DHS handling of airport security amid border policy concerns
U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has initiated an investigation into the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) handling of airport security and the vetting of illegal aliens, citing concerns over potential security threats arising from the Biden-Harris administration’s border policies.
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Ted Cruz probes NASA & NOAA over alleged climate anxiety promotion among youth
U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has initiated an inquiry into the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The investigation centers on educational materials that Cruz claims are designed to garner support for the Biden-Harris administration’s environmental policies.
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GAO report underscores Sen. Cruz’s concerns over broadband spending and phone bill tax
A new report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) highlights rising costs and weak oversight of the Universal Service Fund (USF) by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The findings support concerns raised by U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas), who has called for greater Congressional oversight of the USF.
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Cruz seeks details from FTC on alleged use of racial stereotypes in enforcement
U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has requested information from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) following a report suggesting that the FTC is suing U.S. companies for millions of dollars using a fringe legal theory of discrimination. This approach allegedly relies on a discredited computer model that stereotypes individuals' race based on their names. The letter also questions why the FTC has not disclosed its use of this methodology to the companies subject to enforcement actions.
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Senator Cruz influences FCC review on Soros Fund's takeover bid
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas) issued a statement following the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) decision to reverse its initial course and honor his request for thorough vetting of Soros Fund Management's takeover of Audacy by the full Commission.
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Cruz demands answers on Harris-led broadband initiative
U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas) is seeking explanations regarding a nearly billion-dollar administrative fund that the Biden-Harris administration allocated from a program intended to provide high-speed internet access to Americans.
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Senator Cruz demands accountability from National Park Service over response to Union Station riot
U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas) is seeking answers from the National Park Service (NPS) regarding what he describes as an inadequate response to a pro-Hamas riot at Union Station last month. The protest, which turned violent at Columbus Circle, resulted in the burning of American flags, defacement of the Columbus monument, and assaults on U.S. Park Police officers.
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Ted Cruz urges FCC review over proposed Soros-backed takeover
U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has sent letters to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioners Brendan Carr and Nathan Simington following their Democrat colleagues' refusal to honor commitments made to Congress regarding George Soros’s acquisition of Audacy's nationwide radio network. Senator Cruz requested that the transaction be reviewed by the full Commission, including any order granting a waiver of the FCC’s foreign ownership rules.
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Cruz questions Biden-Harris admin's shift from maritime defense funding towards DEI initiatives
Sen. Cruz demands answers on DOT diverting money from undersea cable protections to DEI program
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Cruz welcomes govt funding bill provision aimed at holding Olympic group accountable
U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today issued a statement regarding the Senate Appropriations Committee’s Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) Appropriations Act. The bill includes a provision aimed at holding the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accountable for allowing Chinese swimmers, who tested positive for banned performance-enhancing drugs, to compete in the summer Olympics.
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Broad coalition backs Sen. Cruz's TAKE IT DOWN Act against deepfake revenge porn
U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Ted Cruz’s (R-Texas) bipartisan TAKE IT DOWN Act has garnered widespread support from tech industry leaders, law enforcement, victim advocacy groups, and over 60 organizations. The legislation, which passed unanimously out of the Senate Commerce Committee this week, aims to criminalize the publication of non-consensual, sexually exploitative images, including AI-generated deepfakes. It requires platforms to implement notice and takedown processes within 48 hours.