Sen. Cruz Designated Chairman of Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Senate Republican Conference ratified Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. As he takes the gavel of the Commerce Committee for the first time, Sen. Cruz’s agenda reflects a desire to build on past successes as the Ranking Member and continue to improve the quality of life for all Americans. Following the designation, Sen. Cruz released the following statement:

“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. To that end, the Commerce Committee will be focused on expanding commercial access to electromagnetic spectrum, boosting human and commercial space exploration, improving the safety and efficiency of our nation’s transportation system, ensuring the future and viability of college athletics, and much more. 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.”

Joining the committee are three new Republican members for the 119^th Congress: Senators John Curtis (R-Utah), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.). Remaining on the committee are 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.).

Furthermore, three new Democrat members are joining the committee for the 119^th Congress: Senators John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.). Remaining on the committee are Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Ed Markey (R-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 the Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Committee in the 118^th Congress and is an active member of the Foreign Relations Committee, Judiciary Committee, and Rules Committee. Prior to his election to the Senate, Sen. Cruz graduated from Princeton University and Harvard Law School. He went on to serve as a law clerk to Chief Justice William Rehnquist and solicitor general of Texas. He was first elected to the Senate in 2012 and was reelected by the people of Texas in 2018 and 2024.

The Senate Commerce Committee has jurisdiction over a vast range of legislative issues, including aviation, transportation security, the Coast Guard, oceans, weather, science, space, interstate commerce, consumer issues, economic development, technology, telecommunications, and more. Additionally, the Senate Commerce Committee is also responsible for oversight of several federal agencies and review of executive branch nominations.

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