WASHINGTON, D.C. – In his opening statement at today’s Senate Commerce Committee nomination hearing, Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) reiterated his strong support for Arielle Roth to lead the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) at the Department of Commerce. Sen. Cruz praised her strong dedication to public service, indefatigable work ethic, and unrivaled passion for telecommunications policy and law.

As NTIA Administrator, Ms. Roth would play an integral role in managing federal spectrum use and overseeing broadband funding. Sen. Cruz acknowledged Ms. Roth’s steadfast support for American leadership in spectrum, which will secure global telecommunications networks, increase internet speeds for American families, and drive domestic economic prosperity.

Additionally, Sen. Cruz highlighted Ms. Roth’s interest in protecting children from excessive screen time and how she will be well equipped to fix the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. Under former President Biden, the bipartisan BEAD program notoriously failed to connect a single American to high-speed Internet service.

Sen. Cruz also discussed how Ms. Roth’s wealth of experience at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and in Congress will help her ensure the proper implementation of all programs under NTIA.

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

“Good morning. The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will come to order. Today, I’m delighted to say we are considering the nomination of Arielle Roth to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information. If confirmed, Ms. Roth will lead the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) at the Department of Commerce and advise the President on telecommunications and information policy.

“As folks here know, Arielle is an esteemed member of the Republican staff on this committee. I’m not sure I’ve ever met someone as passionate about telecommunications law and policy as Arielle. Her work ethic is indefatigable and only rivaled by her dedication to public service. If she is confirmed, President Trump’s administration will be blessed to be getting her talents.

“For more than two years, Arielle has done an exceptional job as our telecommunications policy director.

“She has led our efforts to promote affordable connectivity, protect the taxpayer against wasteful spending, and promote economic innovation in telecom. And, as a mother, she’s been a tireless advocate for protecting children from excessive screen time and online harms.

“If confirmed, Arielle will play an integral role in the management of the federal government’s use of electromagnetic spectrum. She will work closely with federal agencies to protect critical uses of spectrum—whether for national defense, weather forecasting, or transportation—while identifying opportunities to free up spectrum for commercial use. As I have stated before, American leadership in spectrum is vital to the security of global telecommunications networks, our own national security, and to our economic success.

“NTIA also plays a crucial role in administering billions of dollars for federal broadband programs like the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. Due to inaction and ideological handwringing by the previous administration, to date, BEAD has not connected a single American to high-speed Internet service.

“This is the result of prioritizing partisan requirements like ‘climate resiliency’ and rate regulation over connecting those who are offline. Such requirements—which were never approved by Congress or codified in statute—had virtually nothing to do with BEAD’s intended purpose. Now, we have an opportunity to strip away the fluff and redirect the program back to its core mission of connecting Americans to broadband.

“Arielle’s qualifications show she is the right person for this job. Her telecommunications experience dates back to her time as a legal fellow at the Hudson Institute’s Center for Economics of the Internet. Then, for four years, Ms. Roth served at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as the Wireline Advisor for then-Commissioner Michael O’Rielly.

“Ms. Roth next turned to Congress, where she worked on telecommunications policy at the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and later as legislative counsel to Senator Roy Blunt, a long-serving former member of this committee who is joining us today.

“Simply put, her experience—both in Congress and at the FCC—makes her ideally suited to lead NTIA.

“I have received letters of support for Ms. Roth from major telecommunications groups representing sectors from radio to internet to broadband. I wholeheartedly support her confirmation and look forward to hearing more about her approach to managing NTIA.

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

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