WASHINGTON, D.C. – In his opening statement at today’s Senate Commerce Committee nominations hearing, Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) praised Jared Isaacman, President Trump’s nominee to lead NASA, as a passionate leader who will ensure that NASA successfully beats China to the moon. Aided by the $10 billion Chairman Cruz secured for NASA in the One Big Beautiful Bill, Isaacman will be well positioned to complete the Artemis missions that will ensure the U.S. has an enduring presence on the moon and beyond. Sen. Cruz urged his colleagues to support Isaacman’s nomination on Monday, noting that the Committee is moving expeditiously to vote on the nominee next week.

Sen. Cruz also praised Steven Haines, nominee to serve as an Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Analysis. Sen. Cruz described Mr. Haines as well equipped to support U.S. companies with actionable market intelligence, help navigate trade barriers, and identify opportunities for expansion into foreign markets.

Here are Sen. Cruz’s remarks as prepared for delivery:

“Good morning.  The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will come to order. 

“Today, we will consider the nominations of Jared Isaacman to serve as Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and Steven Haines to serve as an Assistant Secretary of Commerce. 

“NASA is at the forefront of American leadership in science and technology.  It is critical to our national security amid what I have called the second ‘space race.’  But the agency finds itself at an inflection point.  Its next leader must be both disciplined and purposeful, candidly assessing what is working and what is not, while recognizing that each policy decision has tradeoffs.  NASA can’t do everything it wants to; the agency must prioritize if we are to beat China back to the moon. 

“If confirmed, Mr. Isaacman will be taking the helm just as NASA is set to launch Artemis 2—the agency’s first crewed use of the Space Launch System rocket and the first crewed mission on the Orion spacecraft, which will bring American astronauts closer to the lunar surface than at any point since 1972. 

“I know Mr. Isaacman will be a strong leader who sees that Artemis 2 launches safely, successfully, and without delay. 

“He must then turn to Artemis 3, landing Americans on the Moon before China, which is aiming to send its own taikonauts there by 2030.  NASA cannot take its eye off the ball. 

“Fortunately, Congress has given clear direction and substantial funding to achieve this goal.  In the One Big Beautiful Bill, President Trump and a Republican Congress committed nearly $10 billion to specific parts of the space program, including the Space Launch System and future lunar missions Artemis 4 and 5; the Gateway space station at the Moon; and the International Space Station.  The vision for NASA enshrined in the One Big Beautiful Bill is unambiguous, and it must be executed faithfully. 

“But investments in hardware alone won’t guarantee mission success.  Equally indispensable is NASA’s workforce.  Houston’s Johnson Space Center is home to one of the most capable, experienced, and mission-driven workforces in the world.  JSC is home to our astronaut corps—America’s spacefaring heroes—who represent the best of our nation.  Preserving that talent is essential, and I trust that JSC will continue to thrive under Mr. Isaacman’s leadership. 

“Mr. Isaacman will prioritize stability, accountability, and respect for the men and women who make the agency’s missions possible.  As the commander of Inspiration 4, the first all-civilian spaceflight, and the first private citizen to walk in space, he knows that every successful mission depends on the skills and dedication of its crew, as well as the countless professionals supporting them from the ground. 

“Jared, I know you are as committed as I am to American supremacy in the final frontier.  The United States must remain the unquestioned leader in space exploration, and this imperative is why we must confirm your nomination as expeditiously as possible.  

“Finally, a word about our nominee to lead Industry & Analysis within the International Trade Administration at the Department of Commerce.  If confirmed, Steven Haines will also help us compete with China.  He will support U.S. companies with actionable market intelligence, help them navigate trade barriers, and identify opportunities for expansion into foreign markets.  He brings experience as a foreign service officer and from across multiple federal agencies. 

“Both our nominees before us today will advance American interests, whether in outer space or here at home. 

“I now turn to Ranking Member Cantwell for her opening remarks.” 

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