Hearings

America Offline? How Spectrum Auction Delays Give China the Edge and Cost Us Jobs

February 19, 2025
10:15 AM

Chairman Cruz Announces Full Committee Hearing on February 19th 

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will convene a full committee hearing titled “America Offline? How Spectrum Auction Delays Give China the Edge and Cost Us Jobs” on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at 10:15 am EST. This hearing will examine the critical role of spectrum policy in driving the U.S. economy, maintaining the U.S.’s technological edge over China, and strengthening national security. As demand for spectrum-based services and technologies grows, American leadership in the 21st century must include a clear roadmap for spectrum optimization. The hearing will immediately follow an executive session to consider the Committee’s budget.

As Sen. Cruz said upon announcing this hearing: 

“As our adversaries wage a war to control global communication networks, America’s spectrum leadership has become both an economic and national security imperative. This hearing will expose how the ongoing lapse in auction authority and the lack of a clear commercial spectrum strategy have cost America jobs and weakened our global standing. We can no longer allow Pentagon bureaucratic inertia to hold back innovation and economic growth. Restoring American leadership in spectrum policy means unlocking billions for job creation, domestic investment, and the federal resources needed to pay for a secure border and stronger military.”

Witnesses: 

  • Dr. Thomas Hazlett, Professor of Economics, Clemson University 
  • Dr. Charles Baylis, Director, SMART Hub and Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Baylor University
  • Mr. Matt Pearl, Director, Strategic Technologies Program, Center for Strategic & International Studies 
  • Mr. Bryan Clark, Senior Fellow and Director, Center for Defense Concepts and Technology, Hudson Institute

Details:

WHAT: Full Committee Hearing titled “America Offline? How Spectrum Auction Delays Give China the Edge and Cost Us Jobs

DATE: Wednesday, February 19, 2025 

TIME: 10:15 AM EST 

LOCATION: Committee Hearing Room, Russell 253 

LIVESTREAM: The hearing will stream live on the Committee Website or YouTube 

MEDIA INFO: Reporters wanting to attend the committee should contact their respective media gallery to RSVP. 

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