WASHINGTON, D.C. – In his opening statement at today’s Senate Commerce Committee nominations hearing for Jared Isaacman, nominee to be Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and Olivia Trusty, nominee be a Member of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) addressed the importance of U.S. leadership in space exploration, a commitment by law to getting back to the Moon, and preeminence in telecommunications.

In light of China’s desire to dominate space, Sen. Cruz highlighted the need for NASA to maintain America’s presence in deep space, prevent a gap in low Earth orbit leadership, and foster economic growth at home.

Sen. Cruz also discussed how Ms. Trusty’s experience on both the Senate Commerce Committee and Senate Armed Services Committee provides a unique view of both commercial and national security interests in mid-band spectrum and emphasized that she will be an asset in building a spectrum pipeline, protecting free speech, and ensuring access to fast and affordable internet.

Here are Sen. Cruz’s remarks as delivered:

“Today, we will hear from Jared Isaacman, who has been nominated to lead the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and Olivia Trusty, who has been nominated to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). 

“NASA has always been at the forefront of American leadership.  In 1969, that meant putting a man on the Moon.  Today, it means returning there, this time to stay. 

“Our nominee, Jared Isaacman, has been active in the commercialization of space exploration.  In 2021, Mr. Isaacman commanded the first all-civilian spaceflight, Inspiration4.  In 2024, he flew his second commercial mission, going further into space than any other manned mission since Apollo 17.  He brings a unique perspective to the challenges facing NASA and the space industry. 

“Today, NASA is at a crossroads.  The explosive growth of the commercial space sector—from hardware manufacturers to space tourism ventures—has transformed the celestial and economic landscape.  Space is no longer the exclusive domain of sovereign nations and a handful of legacy defense contractors.  The democratization of space has spurred growth, reduced launch and satellite costs, and fostered the curiosity of the next generation.  

“At the same time, the future of the Final Frontier has never been more uncertain.  In military terms, space is the ultimate high ground.  A nation that dominates in space can deprive others, not only intelligence capabilities but modern conveniences like GPS and satellite internet.  And make no mistake, the Chinese Communist Party has been explicit in its desire to dominate space, putting a fully functional space station in low-Earth orbit and robotic rovers on the far side of the Moon.  We are not headed for the next space race; it is already here. 

“President Trump alluded to this race in his inaugural address when he envisioned American astronauts on Mars.  I strongly support the President’s vision.  In fact, my 2017 NASA Authorization Act was one of the very first pieces of legislation President Trump signed in his first term and it explicitly enshrined this goal in law.  But the pursuit of the next horizon cannot mean abandoning American dominance where it is already established. 

“The International Space Station has been continuously manned for more than 20 years, serving as a hub for research and testing together with our international partners in space exploration.  While we will eventually have to retire the ISS, before that happens, we must put the necessary systems in place to support and command American astronauts continually in low Earth orbit. We cannot surrender low Earth orbit to the Chinese or to the Russians. 

“Likewise, the Artemis mission, launched during President Trump’s first term, is set to return American astronauts to the Moon and establish a sustained human presence there.  Joining us in the audience today, as we heard earlier this morning, are the four Artemis II astronauts—Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen. In the next year, they will fly to and orbit the Moon, setting the course for Artemis III’s return to the lunar surface in 2027.   

“The Artemis missions and the entire Moon-to-Mars program, which have enjoyed consistent bipartisan support, serve as the stepping stone to landing American astronauts on Mars. In fact, this stepping stone approach is the law as enacted by Congress.  We must stay the course.  An extreme shift in priorities at this stage would almost certainly mean a Red Moon—ceding ground to China for generations to come. I am hard pressed to think of a more catastrophic mistake we could make in space than saying to Communist China, ‘The moon is yours. America will not lead.’

“So, I look forward to hearing from Mr. Isaacman about his goals for NASA, his commitment to Artemis, how he intends to refocus and reinvigorate the agency in its core mission, and how he will ensure America continues to lead the world in space exploration. 

“Let me now turn to the Federal Communications Commission, which faces its own set of challenges.  The agency’s Universal Service Fund was recently challenged in the Supreme Court.  Its broadcast ownership rules are ill adapted to the modern media environment.   

“And, most significantly, in March 2023 the FCC lost its authority to conduct spectrum auctions for the first time ever.  This ongoing lapse in auction authority has cost jobs and weakened America’s global standing.  Increasing the amount of spectrum available for commercial use will secure our preeminence in telecommunications and unlock billions of dollars for domestic investment creating hundreds of thousands of jobs. 

“Olivia Trusty has nearly 20 years of relevant experience in telecommunications.  She is currently a staff member at the Armed Services Committee, which is chaired by our colleague Senator Wicker, who will be introducing her this morning.  Ms. Trusty has also worked as a policy director here at the Commerce Committee, giving her a well-rounded view of the interests of both the Department of Defense and the commercial industry when it comes to mid-band spectrum.  I am confident Ms. Trusty will be an asset at the FCC, where she will champion a spectrum pipeline, protect free speech, and ensure access to fast and affordable internet.  

“I look forward to hearing from both of today’s nominees and learning how they hope to advance American greatness within their institutions.”

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