Austin News

The Senate Republican Conference has appointed Senator Ted Cruz as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. This marks his first time leading the committee, following his tenure as Ranking Member. Sen. Cruz aims to build on past achievements and enhance Americans' quality of life.

In a statement, Sen. Cruz expressed gratitude for his new role: "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." He outlined priorities such as job creation, economic growth, expanding commercial access to electromagnetic spectrum, space exploration, transportation safety and efficiency, and college athletics.

The committee welcomes three new Republican members: Senators John Curtis (R-Utah), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.). Continuing members include 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.Va.), and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.).

Three new Democrats join for the 119th Congress: Senators John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.). Remaining Democratic members include Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and 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's background includes serving as Ranking Member in the previous Congress and active roles in several other committees. Before joining the Senate in 2012, he graduated from Princeton University and Harvard Law School, clerked for Chief Justice William Rehnquist, served as Texas solicitor general, and was reelected in 2018 and 2024.

The Senate Commerce Committee oversees various legislative issues like aviation, transportation security, technology, telecommunications, economic development, science, space exploration, consumer issues, interstate commerce among others. It also reviews executive branch nominations.