Austin News

The Senate Republican Conference has confirmed Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) as the new Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. This appointment marks the first time a Texan has led this committee.

Sen. Cruz expressed his gratitude for the opportunity and outlined his agenda, stating: "With jurisdiction over forty percent of the United States economy, the Senate Commerce Committee sits at the nexus of America’s most critical industries. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as the first Texan Chairman of this storied Committee. My top priority in this role remains the same as it has throughout my entire career in the Senate: pursuing policies that will create jobs and spur economic growth."

Cruz aims to focus on expanding commercial access to electromagnetic spectrum, boosting space exploration, improving transportation safety and efficiency, and ensuring college athletics' future viability.

He added, "I look forward to continuing to work with Ranking Member Cantwell and our colleagues on both sides of the aisle to find common ground and deliver results that will make a difference in the daily lives of the American people."

For the 119th Congress, three new Republican members are joining Cruz on the committee: Senators John Curtis (R-Utah), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.). The committee retains Senators John Thune (R-S.D.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.), and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.).

On the Democratic side, new members include Senators John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.). Remaining members are Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) along with Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.).

Sen. Cruz previously served as Ranking Member of this committee during the 118th Congress. His background includes serving on several other committees such as Foreign Relations, Judiciary, and Rules Committees. He is an alumnus of Princeton University and Harvard Law School.

The Senate Commerce Committee oversees a broad range of legislative issues including aviation, transportation security, science, space exploration, technology, telecommunications among others. It also supervises federal agencies and reviews executive branch nominations.