Austin News

U.S. Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell have announced the subcommittee assignments for the 119th Congress under the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Senator Cruz, who chairs the committee, emphasized its significant role in economic expansion. "With jurisdiction over forty percent of the economy, the Commerce Committee is laser-focused on expanding economic opportunity," he stated. He expressed eagerness to collaborate with new subcommittee leaders to foster job creation and enhance safety.

Ranking Member Cantwell highlighted the committee's commitment to maintaining high safety standards and promoting innovation across the United States. "The Commerce Committee has a history of moving legislation to keep the highest safety standards, spur innovation, manufacturing, and job growth throughout all corners of the United States, and protect consumers while fighting to keep costs low for families," she said.

The subcommittees cover various areas such as Aviation, Space, Innovation; Telecommunications and Media; Consumer Protection; Technology and Data Privacy; Coast Guard, Maritime, Fisheries; Science, Manufacturing, Competitiveness; Surface Transportation; Freight; Pipelines; and Safety.

Key appointments include Sen. Jerry Moran as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation with Sen. Tammy Duckworth serving as Ranking Member. The Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Media will be chaired by Sen. Deb Fischer with Sen. Ben Ray Luján as Ranking Member.

Senator Marsha Blackburn will chair the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Technology, and Data Privacy with Sen. John Hickenlooper as Ranking Member. The Subcommittee on Coast Guard, Maritime, and Fisheries will be led by Sen. Dan Sullivan with Lisa Blunt Rochester as Ranking Member.

In other appointments: Sen. Ted Budd will chair Science, Manufacturing, and Competitiveness with Tammy Baldwin as Ranking Member; Todd Young will lead Surface Transportation with Gary Peters serving as Ranking Member.

Chairman Cruz and Ranking Member Cantwell are ex officio members of each subcommittee.