Opening statement highlights multiple Cruz-led bills that will advance through Committee

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In his opening statement at today’s Senate Commerce Committee executive session, Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) announced that the Massachusetts Port Authority has now agreed to comply with a Committee inquiry and produce requested documents, and that he will therefore withdraw a motion to authorize a planned subpoena. Sen. Cruz called this as a win for taxpayers and a warning to other entities to cooperate with congressional oversight.

Sen. Cruz also discussed the bipartisan legislation the Committee would pass, including his own bills on to reacclimate astronauts returning from missions, give fishermen better access to online maps, and protect consumers from potential spyware in household appliances.

In addition, Sen. Cruz urged his colleagues to support the nominations of Michael Kratsios to lead the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and Mark Meador to be a commissioner on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Sen. Cruz praised Mr. Kratsios’s leadership experience, which will ensure the U.S. remains a leader in emerging technologies. Sen. Cruz highlighted Mr. Meador’s wealth of knowledge on consumer protection, antitrust, and administrative law, noting that he will help restore integrity and effectiveness at the FTC.

Here are Sen. Cruz’s remarks as delivered:

“We begin with some good news. It turns out subpoenas work. And it turns out even the threat of subpoenas works. This committee noticed a vote on authorizing three different subpoenas, authorizing subpoenas on Bonterra, authorizing subpoenas on NewPoint Strategies, and authorizing subpoenas on Massport Authority, which runs the Logan Airport. After we noticed the vote on the authorization of subpoenas two of those involved, Bonterra and NewPoint Strategies immediately reached out to the committee and agreed to comply and to provide all of the materials that had been requested.

“Massport, however, behaved differently. Massport, which housed illegal aliens at Logan Airport during the Biden years, refused to cooperate at all. Unlike the operators of JFK and O’Hare Airport, both of whom also housed illegal aliens, Massport refused to respond to inquiries that I had made as this committee's Ranking Member last year, and yet, with the vote scheduled today at the 11th hour, Massport has decided to comply, so we will withdraw the subpoena motion.

“This is a win for the federal taxpayers and for airline passengers who thought their money was going to pay for services at Logan but instead financed a dormitory for illegal aliens. I also hope this is a message to other entities that when Congress has serious oversight questions, you should answer them, and if you refuse, this, committee will exercise all the authorities it has to ensure we can engage in full and rigorous oversight.

“Now, the Committee today will consider more than a dozen bills and two nominations: Michael Kratsios to lead the Office of Science and Technology Policy and Mark Meador to be a commissioner on the Federal Trade Commission.

“Now more than ever, we need leaders who will unleash American innovation. Mr. Kratsios, who served at OSTP and DOD during the first Trump administration, has a track record of ensuring that America leads in emerging technologies like AI and quantum.

“Likewise, Mr. Meador’s experience working at the FTC, the Department of Justice, and here in the Senate will serve him well as a commissioner. He has a keen understanding of consumer protection, antitrust, and administrative law. I know he will help Andrew Ferguson restore integrity and effectiveness at the FTC following years of mismanagement.

“I call on my colleagues to support both nominations, as well as the legislation we’re considering today. Let me briefly highlight a few key bills.

“First, space. Space is and will remain a major priority for the committee. I’m proud to advance the Astronaut Ground Travel Support Act, which I introduced along with Senator Peters. This bill eliminates an unnecessary requirement for NASA to report to Congress whenever returning astronauts, who aren’t medically cleared to drive, receive official transportation. We’re also considering today the bipartisan SAFE Orbit Act to address growing congestion in low-Earth orbit.  

“Next, oceans. I recently reintroduced the Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans (MAPOceans) Act along with Senator King. This bill standardizes, digitizes, and maps fishing restrictions in federal waters. It’s modeled after the successful MAPLand Act, which required the federal government to digitize maps for hunting and fishing on federal lands. Additionally, we’ll take up the Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act.

“Finally, we’ll vote on bills that address new challenges at the intersection of tech and national security. The Informing Consumers About Smart Devices Act—the “Spy Fridge” bill—requires disclosure of hidden cameras or microphones in “smart” household appliances. The ROUTERS Act directs the Secretary of Commerce to study national security risks posed by compromised routers and modems. And the Securing Semiconductor Supply Chains Act tackles the shortage of semiconductors, which are central to both the digital economy and our national security.

“That’s just a snapshot of the important work the Committee is doing.”

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