Hearings to examine the nomination of Paul Dabbar, of New York, to be Deputy Secretary of Commerce.

1[Senate Hearing 119-253]2[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]34                                                        S. Hrg. 119-25356                       NOMINATION OF PAUL DABBAR,7                    NOMINEE TO BE DEPUTY SECRETARY,8                      U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE910=======================================================================1112                                HEARING1314                               before the1516                         COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE,17                      SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION18                          UNITED STATES SENATE1920                    ONE HUNDRED NINETEENTH CONGRESS2122                             FIRST SESSION23                               __________2425                              MAY 1, 202526                               __________2728    Printed for the use of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and29                             Transportation3031               [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]3233                Available online: http://www.govinfo.gov3435                                ______3637                   U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE383962-324 PDF                 WASHINGTON : 20254041       SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION4243                    ONE HUNDRED NINETEENTH CONGRESS4445                             FIRST SESSION4647                       TED CRUZ, Texas, Chairman48JOHN THUNE, South Dakota             MARIA CANTWELL, Washington,49ROGER WICKER, Mississippi              Ranking50DEB FISCHER, Nebraska                AMY KLOBUCHAR, Minnesota51JERRY MORAN, Kansas                  BRIAN SCHATZ, Hawaii52DAN SULLIVAN, Alaska                 EDWARD MARKEY, Massachusetts53MARSHA BLACKBURN, Tennessee          GARY PETERS, Michigan54TODD YOUNG, Indiana                  TAMMY BALDWIN, Wisconsin55TED BUDD, North Carolina             TAMMY DUCKWORTH, Illinois56ERIC SCHMITT, Missouri               JACKY ROSEN, Nevada57JOHN CURTIS, Utah                    BEN RAY LUJAN, New Mexico58BERNIE MORENO, Ohio                  JOHN HICKENLOOPER, Colorado59TIM SHEEHY, Montana                  JOHN FETTERMAN, Pennsylvania60SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO, West Virginia  ANDY KIM, New Jersey61CYNTHIA LUMMIS, Wyoming              LISA BLUNT ROCHESTER, Delaware62                 Brad Grantz, Republican Staff Director63           Nicole Christus, Republican Deputy Staff Director64                   Lila Harper Helms, Staff Director65                 Melissa Porter, Deputy Staff Director6667                            C O N T E N T S6869                              ----------70                                                                   Page71Hearing held on May 1, 2025......................................     172Statement of Senator Cruz........................................     173    Letter to Hon. Ted Cruz and Hon. Maria Cantwell from Dan R.74      Brouillette, Former U.S. Secretary of Energy...............    4475    Letter to Hon. Ted Cruz and Hon. Maria Cantwell from Hon.76      James (Rick) Perry, 47th Governor of Texas and 14th77      Secretary of Energy........................................    4678    Letter dated March 13, 2025 to Hon, Ted Cruz and Hon. Maria79      Cantwell from Paul Stimers, Executive Director, Quantum80      Industry Coalition.........................................    4881    Letter dated March 26, 2025 to Senator Ted Cruz and Senator82      Maria Cantwell from Ernest J. Moniz, Cecil and Ida Green83      Professor of Physics and Engineering Systems (emeritus),84      Special Advisor to the MIT President, Massachusetts85      Institute of Technology....................................    4986    Letter dated April 8, 2025 to Hon. Ted Cruz and Hon. Maria87      Cantwell from Persis S. Drell, Laboratory Director,88      Emerita, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and Chi-Chang89      Kao, Laboratory Director, Emeritus, SLAC National90      Accelerator Laboratory.....................................    5191    Letter dated April 29, 2025 to Hon. Ted Cruz and Hon. Maria92      Cantwell from Christopher A. Mohr, President, Software &93      Information Industry Association (SIIA)....................    5394Statement of Senator Cantwell....................................     295Statement of Senator Sullivan....................................    2096Statement of Senator Klobuchar...................................    2297Statement of Senator Moreno......................................    2498Statement of Senator Baldwin.....................................    2699Statement of Senator Moran.......................................    28100Statement of Senator Kim.........................................    29101Statement of Senator Schmitt.....................................    31102Statement of Senator Peters......................................    33103Statement of Senator Blunt Rochester.............................    35104Statement of Senator Lujan.......................................    37105Statement of Senator Rosen.......................................    40106107                               Witnesses108109Paul Dabbar, Nominee to be Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of110  Commerce.......................................................     4111    Prepared statement...........................................     6112    Biographical information.....................................     7113114                                Appendix115116Response to written questions submitted to Paul Dabbar by:117    Hon. Ted Cruz................................................    57118    Hon. Roger Wicker............................................    58119    Hon. Marsha Blackburn........................................    59120    Hon. Dan Sullivan............................................    60121    Hon. Maria Cantwell..........................................    63122    Hon. Amy Klobuchar...........................................    73123    Hon. Brian Schatz............................................    73124    Hon. Tammy Duckworth.........................................    75125    Hon. Ben Ray Lujan...........................................    76126    Hon. Andy Kim................................................    76127    Hon. Lisa Blunt Rochester....................................    77128129                       NOMINATION OF PAUL DABBAR,130                    NOMINEE TO BE DEPUTY SECRETARY,131                      U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE132133                              ----------134135                         THURSDAY, MAY 1, 2025136137                                       U.S. Senate,138        Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,139                                                    Washington, DC.140    The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10:06 a.m., in141room SR-253, Russell Senate Office Building, Hon. Ted Cruz,142Chairman of the Committee, presiding.143    Present: Senators Cruz [presiding], Moran, Sullivan,144Schmitt, Moreno, Cantwell, Klobuchar, Peters, Baldwin, Rosen,145Lujan, Kim, and Blunt Rochester.146147              OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. TED CRUZ,148                    U.S. SENATOR FROM TEXAS149150    The Chairman. Good morning.151    The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and152Transportation will come to order.153    Today we will consider the nomination of Paul Dabbar to154serve as Deputy Secretary of Commerce.155    Mr. Dabbar, congratulations on your nomination. We look156forward to hearing about your professional experience and your157vision for supporting and complementing Secretary Lutnick's158leadership of the Department.159    As Deputy Secretary, Mr. Dabbar will serve as the second in160command at the Department. He will oversee daily operations and161help tackle a wide array of issues, from fixing Biden's failed162BEAD program, which connected not a single American to high-163speed internet, to countering climate alarmism at NOAA. These164are not small tasks.165    Mr. Dabbar has an impressive background. After graduating166from the United States Naval Academy he served as a nuclear167submarine officer for six years.168    He then earned an MBA from Columbia University before going169to work for JPMorgan for nearly two decades. There, he oversaw170more than $400 billion in energy investments spanning oil, gas,171nuclear, solar, wind, and geothermal energy.172    During the first Trump administration, Mr. Dabbar was173unanimously confirmed as the fourth under secretary for science174at the Department of Energy.175    In that role he managed a workforce of tens of thousands of176personnel across more than 100 sites with a $14.5 billion177budget.178    He oversaw the majority of U.S. national laboratories at a179time when they faced a growing threat of Chinese espionage.180    He implemented the National Quantum Initiative Act and181sought to spur the development of next-generation energy182storage technologies.183    Following his tenure at the Department of Energy, Mr.184Dabbar co-founded Bohr Quantum Technology, a pioneering185cybersecurity company developing quantum networking systems.186    If confirmed, he will draw on his technical expertise and187entrepreneurial experience to tackle complex challenges at the188intersection of science, government, and industry.189    I will note that he has the explicit support of five former190Cabinet secretaries from both Republican and Democratic191administrations.192    This nomination comes as the Department of Commerce works193to preserve access to the Gulf for oil and gas exploration,194expand commercial access to mid-band spectrum, and maintain195U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence, quantum, commercial196space, and advanced manufacturing.197    It also comes amid a public trade battle. President Trump198is rightfully standing up to China and working to reshore199industries vital to our national security.200    But we should be mindful that long-term tariffs on201manufacturing inputs and other goods would function as a de202facto tax increase on small businesses and the American middle203class.204    My hope is that the Commerce Department leadership will205work alongside the President to steer a course that addresses206our supply chain vulnerabilities and restores dignity to the207American worker, but aims for freer and fairer trade with our208allies, not simply protectionism.209    There are two paths before us, one that uses tariffs210strategically to secure better trade deals, incentivizing our211trading partners to lower the tariffs they charge to American212goods and services in exchange for lowering our own tariffs.213    The other path is a path that locks in place high tariffs214indefinitely. I very much hope we are on the former path and215not the latter.216    Just this week Secretary Lutnick has touted an217international trade deal now in its final stages. The President218has also signed a proclamation offering relief to the auto219industry following the results of a Commerce Department Section220232 investigation into the import of automobiles and automobile221parts.222    These are signals the administration wants to use its trade223authorities to secure better deals for the American people.224    I am confident that Mr. Dabbar, an experienced dealmaker225himself, can assist in this effort. I hope he will outline for226us today the path that he plans to take under the direction of227the President.228    I will now turn to Ranking Member Cantwell for her opening229remarks.230231               STATEMENT OF HON. MARIA CANTWELL,232                  U.S. SENATOR FROM WASHINGTON233234    Senator Cantwell. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and welcome, Mr.235Dabbar. Congratulations on your nomination.236    Welcome to your wife and welcome to one of those energy237secretaries here supporting you, Mr. Brouillette. I enjoyed238working with both of you at the Department of Energy.239    I know this isn't the first time you have testified before240a Senate hearing, and having been confirmed for the Under241Secretary of Science at the Department of Energy we worked242together in the implementation of not just the National Quantum243Initiative but your role in Hanford cleanup, and I very much244appreciate that.245    The Deputy Secretary of Commerce plays a significant role246in shaping the U.S. economy and if confirmed you will be a247representative for the day-to-day operations of the department248in assisting American businesses and promoting policies that249help us create economic growth.250    But your nomination comes at a time when we have had a251significant period of disruption and chaos at the agency. Under252Secretary Lutnick's leadership I believe we have had a series253of alarming decisions and actions that are damaging the254opportunities for economic growth.255    First and foremost, the Minority Business Development256Agency, a 56-year-old agency that Congress permanently257authorized in 2021, has been dismantled.258    For those unfamiliar with the MBDA, I believe my colleague,259Senator Wicker, was quite accurate when he said, I quote, ``The260Minority Business Development Agency has been a lifeline for261many minority businesses, owners, and entrepreneurs seeking to262grow their businesses,'' end quote.263    And, indeed, Secretary Lutnick testified before this264committee that he would not support dismantling of the Minority265Business Development Agency, which helped create and retain266approximately 23,000 jobs in Fiscal Year 2024 alone.267    This is about capacity building. This is about capacity268building within a community that may not necessarily have the269same access to capital, may not have the same parameters, and270this agency has been quite successful.271    But within two months of his confirmation he has fired all272of its employees, canceled all of its grants, and even the sign273that once marked the MBDA office at the Department of Commerce274building has been pulled down under his watch.275    Meanwhile, the department continues to slash essential276workers at NOAA with approximately 2,500 employees of the 12-277person workforce fired or otherwise departing since the start278of this administration.279    These staffing shortages are already impacting NOAA's core280functions including reduced and suspended weather balloon281launches at many of our weather forecast offices, and I cannot282tell you how important this is for us particularly related to283fire season.284    These NOAA weather activities are giving us essential data285about how best to prepare for fire season, and further cuts are286expected in the coming weeks.287    On top of that, the Trump administration is pursuing a 2026288budget proposal that would reduce NOAA's budget by more than 27289percent including a 75 percent cut to the Office of Oceanic and290Atmospheric Research, the closures of all its weather climate291labs, and an 85 percent cut to the Office of Space Commerce.292    I can tell you this, Mr. Dabbar, as somebody who ran a293science organization that we are going to hold this294administration accountable for the cuts in science. It is not295acceptable.296    Innovation is the way we are going to grow our economy. It297is the way we are going to protect our industries that exist298today.299    At the same time, the administration is calling for major300reorganizations of NOAA including moving out the National301Fisheries marine service to the Department of Interior.302    I am not sure why. The most important management resource303we have for our fisheries, having our science management304system, we would give up to the Department of Interior.305    I am particularly shocked to see this proposal, given that306Mr. Lutnick promised to me during his confirmation hearing307that, ``I have no interest in separating NOAA,'' and that308breaking up NOAA, ``is not on my agenda.'' What changed?309    What is equally concerning is the Office of Management and310Budget proposal to eliminate the Economic Development311Administration entirely.312    I believe this would jeopardize important decisions that313continue to help us grow our tech hubs and important314investments that keep growing our economy across the United315States.316    So I could go on and on about tariffs. While I appreciate317many of the things that the Chairman just mentioned in his318tariff statement, yes, I probably would be more comfortable319with you leading our tariff charge than the current secretary.320    But I can tell you this. Tariffs are hurting small321businesses today. They are significantly reducing our economic322growth.323    They are significantly constraining opportunities and324people just may not even be in business by the time these deals325are done.326    And I know that some people think that might be the price327to pay. I do not. I do not believe in that view of an American328economy where we lead on alliance building and we lead on329moving forward on economic opportunities by opening up markets,330particularly big opportunities that I think we have in front of331us.332    So that is to say I very much appreciate, Mr. Dabbar, your333leadership in the past. I am outlining the big challenges I see334in front of you in stabilizing the agency's core mission.335    I look forward to hearing the answers to our questions336today. But, again, welcome to you and congratulations on your337nomination.338    The Chairman. Thank you.339    Mr. Dabbar, you are now recognized for your opening340statement.341342STATEMENT OF PAUL DABBAR, NOMINEE TO BE DEPUTY SECRETARY, U.S.343                     DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE344345    Mr. Dabbar. Thank you, Chairman Cruz, Ranking Member346Cantwell, and members of the Committee. It is an honor to be347here today.348    I am grateful to President Trump and Secretary Lutnick for349their trust and confidence in me for this nomination to be350Deputy Secretary of Commerce.351    Joining me today is my wonderful wife of 25 years Andrea.352Our children, Katie and Will, are watching from their efforts353at work and college. I greatly appreciate their support when I354was Under Secretary for Science.355    Also here today is my former boss, former Energy Secretary356Dan Brouillette and friends of my time in government, the Naval357Academy, and the private sector.358    If my nomination is confirmed by this body it will be the359fourth time I will have sworn to support and defend the360Constitution of the United States, the first time when I was 17361years old after my appointment by former Senator Don Nichols362for Induction Day at the Naval Academy.363    My second time was when I was commissioned a Navy ensign. I364joined the Nuclear Submarine Force and had the honor to serve365in many operations including deployment to the Arctic with the366Arctic Research Laboratory with a team supported by NOAA, and367my third time occurred when I was sworn in as Under Secretary.368    Since my time in the Navy my career has spanned369investments, trade, science, and technology. I recently helped370startup two technology companies, one in energy tech and371another, a spinout of Cal Tech in quantum.372    I stayed involved in public policy testifying regularly373before Congress, serving as a fellow at Columbia University on374policy and a contributor at the Wall Street Journal, the Hoover375Institution, and elsewhere.376    During President Trump's first term, I was honored to serve377as the fourth Under Secretary of Science at the Department of378Energy managing research and operations at the National379Laboratories.380    During my tenure, I worked with many members on driving381America forward on science and technology, and I led our robust382efforts in environmental cleanup efforts from our nuclear383weapons program.384    I was the lead on the exascale computing program, which led385to four number-one global computers including the first use of386the GPU chip, and many of them were completed ahead of schedule387and under budget.388    I also led the National Quantum Initiative. I broke through389decades of long issues in environmental management at Hanford390and elsewhere, and completed large nuclear projects including391several ahead of schedule and under budget.392    As Under Secretary, I worked extensively with the393Department of Commerce bureaus including USPTO, NIST, NOAA, and394BIS.395    Earlier in my career I was a senior executive at JPMorgan396leading several hundred billion dollars of global investment397and helping lead our global--our efforts in global commodities398trading including energy and critical materials.399    I am excited to join the Commerce Department and my400experience will well fit me for this position. This is an401exciting time for the sectors covered by the department. U.S.402commercial competitiveness and trade are clearly at the front403and center of many issues.404    Additionally, science and technology efforts including AI,405semiconductors, quantum, intellectual property, the Blue406Economy, and technology security are also at the forefront.407    My significant experience across the scope of the408Department will enable me to manage and lead its various409bureaus from experience and trade in the private sector, my410maritime service in NOAA, DOE technology security efforts in411BIS, my science and technology background in NIST, starting up412a quantum communications company at NTIA, just to name a few,413and I have deep experience in managing large government414efforts.415    And, finally, I have the persistence to get things done and416take on challenges of any magnitude. For example, I have417completed a 146-mile Ironman triathlon and I am one of the few418people who have been to both the geographic North and South419Poles.420    I was honored and humbled to receive wide support from the421Senate from my last confirmation including being confirmed by422unanimous consent.423    Today, I humbly ask for every member's vote and support for424my nomination. Thank you, and I look forward to answering your425questions.426    [The prepared statement and biographical information of Mr.427Dabbar follow:]428429 Prepared Statement of Paul M. Dabbar, Nominee to be Deputy Secretary,430                      U.S. Department of Commerce431432    Thank you Chairman Cruz, Ranking Member Cantwell, and members of433the Committee. It is an honor to be here today. I am grateful to434President Trump and Secretary Lutnick for their trust and confidence in435me with this nomination to be Deputy Secretary of Commerce.436    Joining me today is my wonderful wife of twenty-five years, Andrea.437Our children Katie and Will are watching from their efforts at work and438college. I greatly appreciate their past support when I was Under439Secretary for Science. Also here today is my former boss, former Energy440Secretary Dan Brouillette, and friends from my time in government, the441Naval Academy, and the private sector.442    If my nomination is confirmed by this body, it will be the fourth443time that I will have the opportunity to swear an oath to support and444defend the Constitution. The first time I was seventeen years old,445after my appointment by former Senator Don Nichols, at Induction Day at446the Naval Academy. The second time was when I was commissioned a Navy447ensign. I joined the nuclear submarine force and had the honor to serve448in many operations, including a deployment to the Arctic with the449Arctic Research Laboratory, a team supported by NOAA. And my third time450occurred when I was sworn in as Under Secretary.451    Since my time in the Navy, my career has spanned investments,452trade, science and technology. Recently, I helped start two technology453companies, one in energy tech, and the other a spin out of Caltech in454quantum. I stayed involved in public policy by regularly testifying455before Congress, serving as a visiting fellow at Columbia University,456and as a contributor at the Wall Street Journal, the Hoover Institution457and elsewhere.458    During President Trump's first term, I was honored to serve as the459fourth Under Secretary for Science at the Department of Energy,460managing research and operations at the National Labs. During my461tenure, I worked with many members on driving America forward on462science & technology, and I led our robust environmental clean-up463efforts from our nuclear weapons program. I was the lead on the464exascale computing program, which led to four #1 global supercomputers,465including ones that were completed ahead of schedule and under budget.466I also led the National Quantum Initiative. And I broke through decades467long issues on environmental management at Hanford and elsewhere,468completing large nuclear projects, including several ahead of schedule469and under budget. As Under Secretary, I worked extensively with470Department of Commerce bureaus, including USPTO, NIST, NOAA and BIS.471    Earlier in my career, I was a senior executive at J.P.Morgan,472leading several hundred billion dollars in global investment, and473helped lead efforts in global commodities trading in energy and474critical minerals.475    I am excited to join the Commerce Department, and my experience is476well fit for this position. This is a very exciting time in the sectors477covered by the Department. U.S. commercial competitiveness and trade478are clearly front and center issues. Additionally, the science and479technology efforts, including AI, semiconductors, quantum, intellectual480property, the Blue Economy, and technology security are also at the481forefront.482    My significant experience across the scope of Department will483enable me to help manage and lead its varied bureaus. From my484experience in trade in the private sector, my maritime service and485NOAA, my DOE technology security efforts and BIS, my science &486technology background and NIST, and starting up a quantum487communications company and NTIA, just to name a few. And I have deep488experience at managing large government efforts. All of these489experiences have prepared me to take on this role.490    And finally, I have the persistence to get things done and take on491challenges of any magnitude. For example, I completed a 140.6 mile492Ironman triathlon, and I am one of the few people ever who have been to493both the geographic North and South Poles.494    I was honored and humbled to receive wide support from the Senate495for my last confirmation, including being confirmed by unanimous496consent. Today, I humbly ask for every member's consideration and497support for my nomination. Thank you and I look forward to answering498your questions.499                                 ______500501                      a. biographical information502503    1. Name (Include any former names or nicknames used): Paul M.504Dabbar.505    2. Position to which nominated: Deputy Secretary, Department of506Commerce.507    3. Date of Nomination: March 11, 2025.508    4. Address (List current place of residence and office addresses):509510        Residence: Information not released to the public.511        Office: Information not provided.512513    5. Date and Place of Birth: July 8, 1967; Passaic, NJ.514    6. Provide the name, position, and place of employment for your515spouse (if married) or domestic partner, and the names and ages of your516children (including stepchildren and children by a previous marriage).517518        Spouse: Andrea Dabbar. Employment: None.519        Children: Katie Dabbar, 23. William Dabbar, 21.520521    7. List all college and graduate schools attended, whether or not522you were granted a degree by the institution. Provide the name of the523institution, the dates attended, the degree received, and the date of524the degree.525526        U.S. Naval Academy, 1985-1989, B.S., May 1989527        Columbia University, 1994-1996, M.B.A., May 1996528529    8. List all post-undergraduate employment, including the job title,530name of employer, and inclusive dates of employment, and highlight all531management-level jobs held and any non-managerial jobs that relate to532the position for which you are nominated.533534   U.S. Navy, nuclear submarine officer, Lieutenant. 1989-1994535536   J.P.Morgan, energy mergers & acquisitions, investment537        banking, commodities trading. 1996-2017538539   Department of Energy, Member of the Advisory Board,540        Environmental Management program. 2005-2017541542   Department of Energy, Under Secretary for Science. 2017-2021543544   Bohr Quantum Technology, Co-founder and CEO. 2021-2025545546   Power & Digital Infrastructure I & II, board member, 2021-547        2024548549   Dominion Energy, board member, 2023 to current550551   AirJoule Technologies, board member. 2024 to current552553   Warburg Pincus, advisor. 2021 to current554555   Transition Equity Partners, advisor. 2023 to current556557   Columbia University, Center on Global Energy Policy,558        Distinguished Visiting Fellow & Adjunct Senior Research559        Scholar. 2021 to current.560561   Advisor, Department of Defense. 2023 to current562563    10. Attach a copy of your resume.564    Attached.565    11. List any advisory, consultative, honorary, or other part-time566service or positions with Federal, State, or local governments, other567than those listed above after 18 years of age.568569   U.S. Naval Academy, Midshipman. 1985-1989570571   U.S. Navy submarine officer. 1989-1994572573   Department of Energy Environmental Management Advisory574        Board, board member. 2005-2017575576    12. List all positions held as an officer, director, trustee,577partner, proprietor, agent, representative, or consultant of any578corporation, company, firm, partnership, or other business, enterprise,579educational, or other institution.580581   U.S. Navy, nuclear submarine officer, Lieutenant. 1989-1994582583   J.P.Morgan, energy mergers & acquisitions, investment584        banking, commodities trading. 1996-2017585586   Department of Energy, Member of the Advisory Board,587        Environmental Management program. 2005-2017588589   Department of Energy, Under Secretary for Science. 2017-2021590591   Bohr Quantum Technology, Co-founder and CEO. 2021-2025592593   Power & Digital Infrastructure I & II, board member, 2021-594        2024595596   Dominion Energy, board member, 2023 to current597598   AirJoule Technologies, board member. 2024 to current599600   Warburg Pincus, advisor. 2021 to current601602   Transition Equity Partners, advisor. 2023 to current603604   Columbia University, Center on Global Energy Policy,605        Distinguished Visiting Fellow & Adjunct Senior Research606        Scholar. 2021 to current607608    13. List all memberships you have had after 18 years of age or609currently hold with any civic, social, charitable, educational,610political, professional, fraternal, benevolent or religiously611affiliated organization, private club, or other membership organization612(You do not have to list your religious affiliation or membership in a613religious house of worship or institution). Include dates of membership614and any positions you have held with any organization. Please note615whether any such club or organization restricts membership on the basis616of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, or disability.617618   Council on Foreign Relations, member.619620   U.S. Naval Academy Class of 1989 Fundraising Committee, co-621        Chair, 2004-2017622623   POTUS Transition Team, volunteer, 2024-2025.624625   America First Policy Institute, volunteer, 2023-2024.626627    14. Have you ever been a candidate for and/or held a public office628(elected, non-elected, or appointed)? If so, indicate whether any629campaign has any outstanding debt, the amount, and whether you are630personally liable for that debt. No.631    15. List all memberships and offices held with and services632rendered to, whether compensated or not, any political party or633election committee within the past ten years. If you have held a paid634position or served in a formal or official advisory position (whether635compensated or not) in a political campaign within the past ten years,636identify the particulars of the campaign, including the candidate, year637of the campaign, and your title and responsibilities. None.638    16. Itemize all political contributions to any individual, campaign639organization, political party, political action committee, or similar640entity of $200 or more for the past ten years.641642   RNC, 2024. $360643644   Campaign of D. Trump, 2024. $2940645646   Campaign of D. Trump, 2024. $360647648   Save America, 2024. $4640649650   RNC, 2024. $4640651652   Save America, $360653654   Campaign of D. Trump, 2024. $3300655656   NRCC, 2023. $2500657658   Campaign of Chuck Fleischmann, 2023. $2000659660   Campaign of Chuck Fleischmann, 2023. $2000661662   Stand for America, 2022. $1000663664   Campaign of Themis Klarides (CT governor), 2022. $500665666   RNC, 2019. $250667668   Campaign of D. Trump, 2019. $750669670   Campaign of Steve Obsitnik (CT governor), 2018. $100671672   Campaign of D. Trump, 2017. $1000673674    17. List all scholarships, fellowships, honorary degrees, honorary675society memberships, military medals, and any other special recognition676for outstanding service or achievements.677678   U.S. Department of Energy, James R. Schlesinger Award,679        senior Secretary of Energy service award.680681   Council on Competitiveness, Fellow.682683   Navy Achievement Medal684685   Navy Arctic Service Medal686687    18. List all books, articles, columns, letters to the editor,688Internet blog postings, or other publications you have authored,689individually or with others. Include a link to each publication when690possible. If a link is not available, provide a digital copy of the691publication when available.692    All of these that are available are listed and linked on my693Linkedin page, Publications section, link below:694695   Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/public-profile/696        settings?trk=d_flagship3_697        profile_self_view_public_profile&lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagsh698        ip3_profile699        _view_base%3BzoYKmzhDTB21h%2BcGDksa3Q%3D%3D700701    19. List all speeches, panel discussions, and presentations (e.g.,702PowerPoint) that you have given on topics relevant to the position for703which you have been nominated. Include a link to each publication when704possible. If a link is not available, provide a digital copy of the705speech or presentation when available.706    All of these that are available are listed and linked on my707Linkedin page, link below:708709   Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/public-profile/710        settings?trk=d_flagship3_711        profile_self_view_public_profile&lipi=urn%3Ali%%3Apage%3Ad_flags712        hip3_pro713        file_view_base%3BzoYKmzhDTB21h%2BcGDksa3Q%3D%3D714715    20. List all public statements you have made during the past ten716years, including statements in news articles and radio and podcasts and717television appearances, which are on topics relevant to the position718for which you have been nominated, including dates. Include a link to719each statement when possible. If a link is not available, provide a720digital copy of the statement when available.721    All of these that are available are listed and linked on my722Linkedin page, link below:723724   Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/public-profile/725        settings?trk=d_flagship3_726        profile_self_view_public_profile&lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagsh727        ip3_profile728        _view_base%3BzoYKmzhDTB21h%2BcGDksa3Q%3D%3D729730    21. List all digital platforms (including social media and other731digital content sites) on which you currently or have formerly operated732an account, regardless of whether or not the account was held in your733name or an alias. Include the full name of an ``alias'' or ``handle'',734including the complete URL and username with hyperlinks, you have used735on each of the named platforms. Indicate whether the account is active,736deleted, or dormant. Include a link to each account if possible.737738   Twitter/X: @PDabbar https://739        na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%740        3A%2F%2Fx.com%2Fpdabbar%3Fs%3D11%26t%3DWu4E9wNLHfH-Z1bDTjkyV741        Q&data05%7C02%7C%7C194edb6319f34efe589208dd5e908b6c%7C84df9e7fe9742        f6743        40afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638770697083905657%7CUnknown%7C744        TWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOi745        JXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C57C%7C&sdata746        =3FioERCBHdfMj7aOVqph1qgucyC7NwVbtIHq6j5KbAM%3D&reserved=0747748   Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/public-profile/749        settings?trk=d_flagship3_750        profile_self_view_public_profile&lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagsh751        ip3_profile752        _view_base%3BzoYKmzhDTB21h%2BcGDksa3Q%3D%3D753754   Truth Social:@PMDabbar https://truthsocial.com/@PMDabbar755756    22. Please identify each instance in which you have testified757orally or in writing before Congress in a governmental or non-758governmental capacity and specify the date, committee, and subject759matter of each testimony.760    I have testified a significant number of times before the House and761Senate. Starting from my Under Secretary confirmation hearing at SENR762in 2017, subsequently as Under Secretary at many authorization and763appropriations hearings, and subsequent to my role as Under Secretary764over the last four years. I believe these are all of my testimonies:765766   SENR, July 20, 2017. Nomination hearing for Under Secretary767        DOE768769   SENR, Sept 25, 2018. Hearing on Quantum Information Science770771   SENR, Feb 7, 2019. Hearing on Energy Innovation772773   SENR, Apr 15, 2021. Hearing on Role of DOE in Innovation774775   SENR, Feb 20, 2025. Hearing on Research Security Risks776777   SEPW, Nov 1, 2023. Hearing on Extreme Event Attribution778779   House Science, Space and Technology Committee, Jan 30, 2018.780        Hearing on DOE Reorganization781782   House Science, Space and Technology Committee, June 7, 2023.783        Advancing Leadership in Quantum Technology784785   House E&C, Feb 7, 2019. State of Energy Innovation786787   House E&C, Jan 31, 2023. Hearing on American Energy788        Expansion789790   House E&C, Oct 19, 2023. Hearing on Unlocking AI's Potential791        in the Energy Sector792793   Senate Appropriations, Apr 11, 2018. DOE budget request794795   House Appropriations, E&W Subcommittee, April 3, 2019,796        Budget proposal review797798    23. Given the current mission, major programs, and major799operational objectives of the department/agency/commission/corporation800to which you have been nominated, what in your background or employment801experience do you believe affirmatively qualifies you for appointment802to the position for which you have been nominated, and why do you wish803to serve in that position?804    My most applicable past experience that qualifies me for this role805was my role as Under Secretary for Science at the U.S. Department of806Energy. In that role I had a budget of $15 billion per annum, which is807about the size of the Department of Commerce. I was also the manager808and leader of 30,000 career employees and contractors. As a part of809that, I directly managed 11 of the 17 National Labs, as well as over810100 other sites. In that role I managed operations, research and811construction of a wide set of facilities at the highest level of812complexity, include large nuclear and scientific projects. As a part of813operations, I managed CFO, General Counsel and Human Capital efforts of814my organizations. I also led efforts of authorization and815appropriations for my offices at Congress, EPA and other environmental816requirements, and collaboration with other agencies, including DOC, on817our joint efforts. I also was a major funder of research in the818physical sciences at universities in all fifty states. And I led819commercialization of technology developed at the National Labs,820including generation of patents.821    I had significant overlap and cooperative efforts with many areas822of DOC. Including efforts on atmospheric and estuary research with823NOAA, quantum, neutron science and standard setting with NIST, Bayh-824Dole and other IP policy with the USPTO, and technology security policy825with BIS.826    24. What do you believe are your responsibilities, if confirmed, to827ensure that the department/agency/commission/corporation has proper828management and accounting controls, and what experience do you have in829managing a large organization?830    My responsibilities would be to manage the day-to-day operations831the Department. From managing efforts of the various program offices832run by the various Under Secretaries, to Department level management833offices such as legal affairs, CFO, and legislative affairs. I would834also help manage trade policy efforts as directed by the Secretary, as835well as any additional new efforts that might be assigned to the836Department during my tenure.837    I believe I am well qualified based on my experience as Under838Secretary previously as described in #23 above. As well as a broad set839of other professional experiences described in my attached biography.840    25. What do you believe to be the top three challenges facing the841department/agency/commission/corporation, and why?842    Trade policy and negotiations will certainly be a significant843effort of the department during my tenure. In addition, management of844export controls of key U.S. technologies by the BIS office. And finally845helping drive key new technologies and U.S. leadership at NIST, the846Chips Act programs, and securing new technology intellectual property.847848                   b. potential conflicts of interest849850    1. Describe all financial arrangements, deferred compensation851agreements, and other continuing dealings with business associates,852clients, or customers. Please include information related to retirement853accounts, such as a 401(k) or pension plan.854    My only continuing dealing will be a 401K and a Defined Benefit855penion from a previous employer that existed prior to my last856appointment in 2017 as Under Secretary. They are a JPMorgan Chase 401K,857and a JPMorgan Chase Defined Benefit Program. Both have has no858additional contributions by my past employer or myself since my859separation in 2017, and no more will be added going forward. I also860have a past U.S. government Thrift Savings plan. I might sign up for861the current U.S. government Thrift Savings plan if I am confirmed as862Deputy Secretary.863    2. Do you have any commitments or agreements, formal or informal,864to maintain employment, affiliation, or practice with any business,865association, or other organization during your appointment? If so,866please explain. No.867    3. Indicate any investments, obligations, liabilities, or other868relationships which could involve potential conflicts of interest in869the position to which you have been nominated. Explain how you will870resolve each potential conflict of interest.871    The following are the companies and organizations which could872involve potential conflicts of interest in the position to which I have873been nominated:874875        Bohr Quantum Technology: Past CEO/employee, current shareholder876        Dominion Energy: current board member, shareholder877878        AirJoule Technologies, current board member, shareholder879880        Warburg Pincus: current paid advisor881882        Transition Equity Partners: current paid advisor883884        Columbia University: current paid Adjunct Senior Research885        Scholar886887        Council on Competitiveness: current unpaid Fellow888889        Clearpath: current unpaid advisory board member890891        Energy Capital Ventures: current unpaid advisory board member892893    I will step down from all of those that I am currently engaged upon894confirmation and prior to being sworn in, and meet and abide by all895requirements directed by the Office of Government Ethics, including as896needed divesture or other directed mitigation steps as directed by OGE.897I did these steps successfully when I was appointed Under Secretary for898Science.899    4. Describe any business relationship, dealing, or financial900transaction which you have had during the last ten years, whether for901yourself, on behalf of a client, or acting as an agent, that could in902any way constitute or result in a possible conflict of interest in the903position to which you have been nominated. Explain how you will resolve904each potential conflict of interest.905    In addition to the list in B3 above, I was also an employee of906JPMorgan in the last ten years.907    I will have no ongoing relationship with any of the entities if I908am confirmed, other than my disclosed JPMorgan pension plans. and will909abide by all directions for the Office of Government Ethics on conflict910of interest.911    5. Identify any other potential conflicts of interest and explain912how you will resolve each potential conflict of interest. None.913    6. Describe any activity during the past ten years, including the914names of clients represented, in which you have been engaged for the915purpose of directly or indirectly influencing the passage, defeat, or916modification of any legislation or affecting the administration and917execution of law or public policy. None.918919                            c. legal matters920921    1. Have you ever been disciplined or cited for a breach of ethics,922professional misconduct, or retaliation by, or been the subject of a923complaint to, any court, administrative agency, the Office of Special924Counsel, an Inspector General, professional association, disciplinary925committee, or other professional group?926    None. If yes:927928  a.  Provide the name of the court, agency, association, committee, or929        group;930931  b.  Provide the date the citation, disciplinary action, complaint, or932        personnel action was issued or initiated;933934  c.  Describe the citation, disciplinary action, complaint, or935        personnel action;936937  d.  Provide the results of the citation, disciplinary action,938        complaint, or personnel action.939940    2. Have you ever been investigated, arrested, charged, or held by941any Federal, State, or other law enforcement authority of any Federal,942State, county, municipal, or foreign government entity, other than for943a minor traffic offense? If so, please explain. None.944    3. Have you or any business or nonprofit of which you are or were945an officer ever been involved as a party in an administrative agency946proceeding, criminal proceeding, or civil litigation? If so, please947explain. None.948    4. Have you ever been convicted (including pleas of guilty or nolo949contendere) of any criminal violation other than a minor traffic950offense? If so, please explain. None.951    5. Have you ever been accused, formally or informally, of sexual952assault, sexual harassment, or discrimination on the basis of sex,953race, religion, or any other basis? If so, please explain. None.954    6. Please advise the Committee of any additional information,955favorable or unfavorable, which you feel should be disclosed in956connection with your nomination. None.957958                     d. relationship with committee959960    1. Will you ensure that your department/agency/commission/961corporation complies with deadlines for information set by962congressional committees, and that your department/agency/commission/963corporation endeavors to timely comply with requests for information964from individual Members of Congress, including requests from members in965the minority? Yes.966    2. Will you ensure that your department/agency/commission/967corporation does whatever it can to protect congressional witnesses and968whistleblowers from reprisal for their testimony and disclosures? Yes.969    3. Will you cooperate in providing the Committee with requested970witnesses, including technical experts and career employees, with971firsthand knowledge of matters of interest to the Committee? Yes.972    4. Are you willing to appear and testify before any duly973constituted committee of the Congress on such occasions as you may be974reasonably requested to do so? Yes.975                                 ______976977               [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]978979    The Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Dabbar.980    And just to clarify for the record, members of this981committee will not be required to run an Ironman in----982    Senator Klobuchar. Speak for yourself.983    [Laughter.]984    The Chairman. You are encouraged to run an Ironman if you985feel so inspired but you will be enabled----986    Senator Cantwell. She climbed Kilimanjaro.987    The Chairman. I climbed Mount Fuji, but I was 19.988    [Laughter.]989    Mr. Dabbar. I have my past staff behind me. I tried to990encourage them to do a half Ironman when I was at DOE and I got991some significant H.R. pushback on pressuring them.992    The Chairman. Understandably.993    And I will say on the Republican side of the aisle two of994our members, Markwayne Mullin and Dave McCormick, are both995former very accomplished wrestlers and more than a few of us996have been trying to arrange a cage match which we think would997sell a lot of tickets.998    We have been unsuccessful in scheduling that, but hope999springs eternal. Senator Sheehy just--would just shoot them1000both, so it is all a difference in perspective.1001    All right, to the work at hand.1002    Mr. Dabbar, your experience at the Department of Energy,1003your two-decade career in financial management, your success as1004the founder of a quantum technology company, all of that makes1005you very well qualified for this position.1006    Tell us why do you want to be Deputy Secretary of Commerce?1007    Mr. Dabbar. As I mentioned, Senator, this is an exciting1008time for the scope. Obviously, trade, as was mentioned by both1009you and the Ranking Member, is obviously front and center.1010    I have a significant amount of background to that in the1011private sector, and the bureaus that are primarily science and1012technology--no BIS, the Patent Office, the CHIPS Act, those1013are--those and others are--NTIA--are primarily science and1014technology efforts and, obviously, I have a great background in1015it but I am also very passionate about each and every one of1016those areas.1017    The Chairman. So as you and I discussed in my office1018yesterday, the President and this administration has two paths1019before it. One path that I think is very, very positive, one1020path that I think is very, very negative.1021    The positive path I think President Trump right now has1022extraordinary leverage--unprecedented leverage--to negotiate1023lower tariffs from our trading partners in exchange for1024lowering the tariffs that he has threatened to impose on them.1025    I think if we end up 30, 60, 90 days from now in a world1026where we have got markedly lower tariffs across the globe that1027would be an historic victory for Americans, for American jobs,1028for American workers.1029    On the other hand, the second path we could go down is a1030path that maintains very high tariffs in perpetuity, American1031tariffs on all of our trading partners, and we can expect1032retaliatory tariffs from our trading partners.1033    I believe that would be a very bad path. I believe that1034would be a path that would hurt Texas and would hurt America.1035    What is your view which path is preferable for the1036administration to take?1037    Mr. Dabbar. So the President has been very clear on support1038of the President's positions on the different drivers of trade1039and the different potential accomplishments of trade.1040    One of them may be to drive down barriers in tariffs and1041nontariff barriers in our trading counterparties. Another one1042is to reindustrialize the U.S. as we lost a significant amount1043of jobs, especially since the WTO acquisition of the PRC drove1044down industrial jobs.1045    The third one is national security. I think yourself and1046many others here talk about the national security impact of the1047trade deficits.1048    And the last one is, potentially, revenues. I am not1049certain of the exact negotiations between various parties but I1050could certainly see that some negotiations may be more focused1051on the accomplishment of one or two of those and some might be1052others.1053    For example, I have testified many times before the Senate1054about China and national security issues, and I certainly think1055that when we talk about the PRC national security and1056reindustrialization it is going to be much more focused as a1057likely outcome of negotiations.1058    The Chairman. I recognize you will not be the ultimate1059decisionmaker when it comes to the President's trade policy,1060but you will be one of the voices in the room and it is my hope1061that you will be a voice in the room advocating for using these1062tariffs as leverage to secure freer and fairer trade because I1063think that is the right direction for the administration to go.1064    Let me shift to a different topic. One of the Department of1065Commerce's most consequential responsibilities is the1066allocation and management of spectrum through the NTIA.1067    Last year Leader Thune, Senator Blackburn, and I introduced1068a bill to restore the FCC's authority and establish a clear,1069actionable spectrum pipeline, one that empowers commercial1070businesses to invest, innovate, and create jobs.1071    We now have the opportunity to advance a pipeline through1072reconciliation, which will not only bring in significant1073funding to the Treasury but will also help unleash American1074prosperity through market innovation and investment.1075    Notably, the bill does not contain the various--constrain1076the various parties in determining how to meet the goals of the1077pipeline. It provides instead a framework for success.1078    It also enhances our national security as any agency that1079becomes more efficient in its use of spectrum will receive1080significant funding.1081    The NTIA will play a lead role as the Federal Government's1082Spectrum Management Agency. Do you agree that it is important1083for the Federal Government to make additional spectrum1084available for commercial use and that this can be done without1085compromising national security?1086    Mr. Dabbar. Yes, Senator.1087    The Chairman. Tell this committee what the benefits are of1088making additional spectrum available for private development?1089    Mr. Dabbar. So there are two in particular, Mr. Chairman,1090that I would highlight.1091    One is satellite 5G, which is still very early stage, and1092then one that I am particularly interested in focusing on if I1093am so lucky to be confirmed is on satellite 6G where the U.S.1094needs to jump forward as the next competitive battlefield with1095the PRC.1096    So the utilization of spectrum to not only get to 5G1097satellite, but also get to 6G satellite which, hopefully, by1098the end of my term if I am so lucky to be confirmed that we1099will be moving forward on that and showing leadership on that1100over the PRC.1101    The Chairman. I very much agree that it is critical that1102America win the race for 5G and for 6G and that we not fall1103behind China, and if we find ourselves in a world where China1104and Huawei in particular has provided the global architecture1105for telecommunications worldwide that would do enormous damage1106both to our economic security and our national security, and I1107trust you will work hard in this new role to prevent that from1108happening.1109    Ranking Member Cantwell.1110    Senator Cantwell. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.1111    Again, I appreciate working together with you on many1112energy fronts including quantum and the Hanford cleanup.1113    Mr. Dabbar, do you support the CHIPS and Science Act?1114    Mr. Dabbar. Yes. I have been on the record and testified in1115support of that when it was going through Congress.1116    Senator Cantwell. So you believe in honoring the agreements1117that are in place with companies?1118    Mr. Dabbar. I am not familiar with actual agreements1119underneath the CHIPS Act at the Commerce Department but the1120President has been----1121    Senator Cantwell. Generally, if you think we have signed an1122agreement with a company and allocated resources that we should1123fulfill them, barring any--you know, barring any major problems1124with them?1125    Mr. Dabbar. So Secretary Lutnick and the President have1126been very clear about how to take the resources under the CHIPS1127and Science Act and how to get the most bang for the buck for1128the taxpayer.1129    And I think the President and the announcement--and1130Secretary Lutnick was just in Arizona on the announcement1131around TSMC moving from one fab for $65 billion of support to1132three fabs and $165 billion with no additional chip support.1133    And so I think that is a great example of taking the CHIPS1134Act subsidies and support and how to get the most out of it1135within agreements.1136    I am not familiar, for example, with all the TSMC1137agreements but I think I have----1138    Senator Cantwell. OK. I have more questions.1139    I actually saw Secretary Lutnick last night and he was1140emphasizing how much he enjoyed being there. But I will tell1141you this, this committee and the last administration got that1142done.1143    Now, I am glad you feel like you get to rearrange some of1144the chess pieces but the President of the United States saying1145he is not for CHIPS and Science and then all of us having to1146push back every damn day is nuts. OK?1147    This is policy that we have implemented that will make the1148United States competitive and so I just need to know that you1149are not going to be another one of these people that is going1150to make this harder for us. That is all we want to know. OK.1151    Will you commit to maintaining the NIST budget and the1152other R&D programs that are under the agency?1153    Mr. Dabbar. Sorry. Yes. I did not know it was a question.1154Sorry.1155    Senator Cantwell. Thank you.1156    What about the money for the tech hubs?1157    Mr. Dabbar. Yes. I think as appropriated and authorized I1158certainly know a bit about the tech hubs but assuming it is1159funded and authorized.1160    Senator Cantwell. OK. What about moving marine fisheries1161out of NOAA and into Interior, also a ridiculous idea?1162    Mr. Dabbar. So I only know what I read in the newspaper1163about different potential proposals. I do know that over time1164that various proposals have been made about NOAA including in1165the last Congress about separating it completely. So I would1166review any sort of proposal, given many has been made over the1167decades on NOAA.1168    Senator Cantwell. I get this may not be one of your areas1169of expertise but if you could bone up a little bit more on this1170for the record and give us an answer.1171    The science that NOAA does helps us manage our fisheries1172and right now we are being taken advantage of by both the1173Chinese and the Russians.1174    And so we do not want to be more disenabled at NOAA to1175advocate for our fisheries. My colleague from Alaska who is1176here probably has a thought on this.1177    But we want to be more empowered to fight and fight the1178injustices against the United States. We see a huge opportunity1179for the Department of Commerce to provide that leadership. You1180want to talk about a trade issue, talk about fisheries, and1181talk about the unfairness that is happening.1182    But we need the science and we need that agency to be1183complete on its R&D mission in NOAA. So what about the Office1184of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research that also is being proposed1185to be eliminated?1186    Mr. Dabbar. Well, just to address your first point,1187Senator, when I was Under Secretary for Science we had a--1188smaller than NOAA but we did have a number of topics around1189fish and around atmospheric sciences. We had one plane rather1190than several. There is a bit of a history of that on nuclear1191weapons and so on.1192    But the fish, as you know, Senator Cantwell, we had1193research in Washington State along the Columbia River that I1194helped run. Sequim, which was another facility----1195    Senator Cantwell. A national lab, yes.1196    Mr. Dabbar.--and at Senator Blackburn's state at Oak Ridge1197on so very----1198    Senator Cantwell. OK. I have one more question to ask you.1199So I got that you have a little bit of--you will come back to1200me on this point.1201    So but on the spectrum issue you do not--the warfare of the1202future is in the skies, correct?1203    Mr. Dabbar. Sorry?1204    Senator Cantwell. The warfare--on the spectrum issue the1205warfare of the future is in the skies, correct?1206    Mr. Dabbar. Absolutely, Senator.1207    Senator Cantwell. OK. And so we cannot give away DOD assets1208that could have interference if that hurts our warfare1209capabilities for the future. Is that correct?1210    Mr. Dabbar. We absolutely need to be careful, and I do have1211a technical--a bit of a technical background in this and I know1212there are many people working on how to use the spectrum from a1213technical point of view more efficiently.1214    So in addition to just what the actual spectrum set aside1215is but also how to manage it better from a technical----1216    Senator Cantwell. But you do not believe in compromising1217DOD?1218    Mr. Dabbar. Oh, absolutely not, Senator. Yes. Yes. Sorry.1219    Senator Cantwell. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.1220    Senator Moreno [presiding]. Senator Sullivan for more1221discussion on fish.12221223                STATEMENT OF HON. DAN SULLIVAN,1224                    U.S. SENATOR FROM ALASKA12251226    Senator Sullivan. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.1227    I will save fish for a minute but, Mr. Dabbar, I am very1228impressed by your background. I think you are eminently1229qualified and I certainly plan on supporting you.1230    And you mentioned, your father worked at the Kenai LNG1231facility or helped get LNG from Alaska sold to Japan. Is that1232correct in your testimony?1233    Mr. Dabbar. He was--he worked for Phillips 66 in the late12341960s selling LNG to Tokyo Gas.1235    Senator Sullivan. That is amazing. It is great. Well, that1236fits perfect.1237    Last night I also saw the Secretary at a dinner--Secretary1238Lutnick. He mentioned to me, and I agree with Senator Cruz,1239that we have enormous leverage right now to reduce tariffs.1240    One of the things that we are also trying to do is get our1241Asian allies to commit like your father did to purchase Alaskan1242LNG from the large-scale LNG project that we are now working1243on.1244    The Secretary is fully on board with that, he mentioned1245again to me last night. So is the President. So is the U.S.1246trade rep.1247    Can I just get your commitment to work with them on that1248big opportunity we have? This is a huge strategic opportunity1249for our country.1250    Mr. Dabbar. Yes, Senator.1251    American energy superpower status, now we are in a better1252position than ever before on energy contributing to the1253positive trade.1254    Senator Sullivan. Great.1255    Speaking of superpowers, I like to refer to Alaska as the1256superpower of seafood. About two-thirds of all seafood1257harvested--commercial, sport, subsistence--of all the fish1258harvested in America over two-thirds comes from Alaska. So we1259are it. Multi-billion-dollar industry, multi-billion-dollar1260exporter.1261    So Secretary Lutnick during his confirmation said he wanted1262to be, quote, ``The godfather of the American fisherman.'' I do1263not know if there is a another phrase I can use for you--1264consigliere or something like that.1265    But can you also commit to making this a high priority? He1266got tons of questions during his confirmation hearing on fish.1267Can I get your commitment on that?1268    Mr. Dabbar. Yes, Senator.1269    Senator Sullivan. So I think we are off to a good start,1270certainly, on fisheries. We have this unleashing Alaska's1271extraordinary resource potential executive order from President1272Trump on day one. This includes fisheries, LNG, all kinds of1273great things in Alaska.1274    And then just a couple days ago Restoring America's Seafood1275Competitiveness EO, so we are off to a good start and I want to1276commend the President, Secretary Lutnick, on their team.1277    But I am concerned, to Senator Cantwell's points--and this1278is a big issue--that we are not having the staffing to do the1279two things that Commerce has to do for fisheries. So American1280fisheries, unlike CHIPS and Science, 200--a quarter of a1281trillion dollar subsidies--my guys do not get subsidized at1282all.1283    The Federal Government has to do two things. They need to1284do robust surveys to inform accurate stock assessments and they1285need to do timely promulgation of regulations to open1286fisheries. That is it.1287    And when the Federal Government does not do that you screw1288the hardworking fishermen of Alaska and America. Just think1289``Deadliest Catch.'' They do have to compete with Russia and1290China.1291    And to be honest, right now it is not starting to look good1292and I am starting to get really upset because when you got--1293look, Biden was horrible on the surveys. Horrible.1294    We threw a ton of money at NOAA and the guy did climate1295change and all this BS. He did not do the blocking and tackling1296of NOAA which is stock assessment surveys.1297    So you guys came in, hey, we are not going to be like1298Biden, but you are not--I am getting really worried that you1299guys are not doing this either.1300    And when you do not do stock assessment surveys you know1301what happens? My fishermen cannot fish. They do not go $2401302billion in subsidies. All they need is a survey and it is not1303happening.1304    I got a whole list and I am going to mention them here, and1305I hope to hell someone from Commerce is watching, OK, because1306if you are not doing surveys--that is the basic stuff you are1307supposed to do at NOAA--then my guys cannot fish. They do not1308want subsidies. They just want to fish.1309    So can I get your commitment? And I hope to hell someone1310from NOAA is watching this. I got a whole list of surveys right1311now that looks like you are not going to complete.1312    So what happens? My fishermen do not fish. That is wrong.1313    Can I get your commitment? And hope to hell someone from1314NOAA and Commerce is watching this right now. Get on with the1315surveys, God damn it. Can I get your commitment? As you can1316tell I am a little rattled about this.1317    Mr. Dabbar. Yes. Yes, Senator, and I know that--I have read1318your proposed bill, the latest one, and also how understanding1319research of, for example, salmon in Alaska where some things1320are going well, you know, strong and some things are weaker and1321why. So certainly committed on that also.1322    Senator Sullivan. We just need--I just need your commitment1323to get the staffing and money to do the surveys. That is it,1324and if we are failing on this this is not good.1325    Let me ask one final question. This relates. There is a1326contract we are trying to get the Secretary to sign, like,1327right now that is for the Oscar Dyson. It is a NOAA survey1328vessel home ported in Kodiak, Alaska.1329    It is coming up for its contract that needs to be signed1330this week. Again, I hope Commerce people are watching. OK. Just1331sign the contract so we can do the surveys from the Oscar1332Dyson. That is a NOAA survey vessel ship.1333    If that is not signed in the next couple days that vessel1334will not be able to do surveys. So, again, this is blocking and1335tackling to take care of our fishermen, which is in the1336President's EOs.1337    But we got to be able to support them with science, and can1338I get your commitment on that and maybe have someone get to the1339Secretary and sign this contract on the Oscar Dyson, like,1340today?1341    Mr. Dabbar. I will follow up, and there are people behind1342me and watching, listening to you I am certain.1343    Senator Sullivan. Really, really important. Thank you.1344    Senator Moreno. All right. I will now recognize Senator1345Klobuchar and note that the swear jar is being passed around.1346    [Laughter.]13471348               STATEMENT OF HON. AMY KLOBUCHAR,1349                  U.S. SENATOR FROM MINNESOTA13501351    Senator Klobuchar. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair.1352    I was up till 1 a.m. watching the Timberwolves beat the1353L.A. Lakers, just for the record. Kind of a surprise in that1354series. We are very excited so----1355    Senator Moreno. The Cavs are ready for you.1356    Senator Klobuchar. OK, great.1357    So, I appreciate your background very much and your1358commitment to science and economic opportunity. I view this,1359being from a state with 15 Fortune 500 companies, fourth for ag1360exports, Mayo Clinic, a big medical device presence that we are1361literally on this cusp of economic expansion or were on it, I1362should say, with everything from mapping of the human genome to1363the work that has been done on AI, as long as we--and I am1364going to ask about this--put some rules in place.1365    But I am concerned, and my colleagues have asked you about1366this, just about these tariffs setting us backward with the1367rest of the world.1368    I cannot tell you how concerned I am about this because not1369everyone--you know, Tim Cook can get into the White House but1370my little company down that makes high chairs stuff, Busy Baby,1371she cannot get in there and she cannot get at the investment1372meetings. Does not know which tariffs are going to change,1373what's going to happen, and so I just hope you will be a voice1374on that front.1375    So first question, I have National Science Foundation1376grants (and the administration has cutoff hundreds of these1377grants including at the University of Minnesota) and I just--1378this scientific research going on again. Very exciting.1379    Will you commit to funding the NSF and will you commit to1380restoring funding for the NSF grants?1381    Mr. Dabbar. So Commerce does not fund NSF. I am reasonably1382familiar because when I was Under Secretary, and we also do1383work with NSF at South Pole and elsewhere.1384    Senator Klobuchar. Right.1385    Mr. Dabbar. And so, certainly, NSF is a very important1386aspect to the funding research. But I do not have that scope.1387    Senator Klobuchar. Will you be an advocate for it was1388probably the better words?1389    Mr. Dabbar. I will certainly be supporting S&T investment1390and I think as you know, Senator, when the sequester was lifted1391last time the President signed the quantum bill, the AI bill,1392and so on and I was certainly a part of both supporting that1393and executing on that.1394    Senator Klobuchar. Speaking of AI, the--you know, we have1395had a lot of bipartisan work over here still haven't really1396passed. Senator Thune and I have a base bill for nondefense1397applications of AI.1398    Talk about what your priorities would be for AI? I'm just1399concerned that we have not put in place any guardrails and that1400could actually set everyone back if we don't do that.1401    Mr. Dabbar. So it is a long topic having----1402    Senator Klobuchar. Yes, I do not--yes, you cannot1403filibuster----1404    Mr. Dabbar. Yes. I will try to Senator. The opportunity set1405for AI is so incredibly broad. I think it is very important to1406allow every medical device maker and every company out there to1407look at AI for operations and allow people to expand.1408    I am on the board of Dominion Energy, which is--currently I1409will be resigning if I am so lucky to be confirmed. But using1410AI for utility operations, for dispatching power plants, to1411storms. You could use this for weather so getting to NOAA.1412    Senator Klobuchar. Got it.1413    Mr. Dabbar. There is a long list and I want to try to1414facilitate all the different opportunities including within the1415scope of Commerce.1416    Senator Klobuchar. Yes, and I just would hope that you1417would be an advocate--I can ask this more in writing--just for1418some rules of the road in place because even the companies want1419this, and we can talk about it more back and forth or meet1420about it.1421    OK. Rural exports--Senator Hoeven and I passed legislation1422on this. You know, we have the Foreign Commercial Service, but1423in a lot of areas they do not have a--a big company might have,1424you know, a full time trade expert on a certain part of the1425world and this rural export center in Fargo assists rural small1426businesses to access international markets.1427    And you may not be familiar with the details, but will you1428commit to supporting the work of the Commerce Department with1429rural exports?1430    Mr. Dabbar. Yes, Senator.1431    Senator Klobuchar. OK. Thank you.1432    We talked about CHIPS and Science, Broadband Program. Had a1433confirmation come through this committee on that. As you know,1434we allocated a lot of money. Has not really gone out quite yet.1435    We do not want to get back into that whole history but we1436do have to get it out, and are you committed to getting that1437funding out to the states and put to work?1438    Mr. Dabbar. Yes, Senator.1439    Senator Klobuchar. OK. Thank you very much. Appreciate it.14401441               STATEMENT OF HON. BERNIE MORENO,1442                     U.S. SENATOR FROM OHIO14431444    Senator Moreno. Thank you for being here. Thank you for1445serving your country for the fourth time. I appreciate that.1446Look forward to having you confirmed.1447    Taking up from my colleagues who were talking about1448innovation, something that is near and dear to my heart, I1449recently introduced a very bipartisan bill called the1450``Deploying American Blockchain Act''. Passed this committee1451pretty unanimously, which is good to see, and I just want to1452make certain that you are committed to implementing that1453properly when it gets passed by both chambers to really look at1454what America can do to take that next step in being the center1455for the evolution of blockchain technology.1456    Mr. Dabbar. So I have not read your bill, Senator, but1457certainly support American leadership on blockchain.1458    Senator Moreno. All right.1459    And shifting gears, you are somebody who has run pretty1460complex organizations. There is not a lot of people who have1461that in their background. So I look forward to having you run--1462help Secretary Lutnick run Commerce.1463    Is it fair to say in your experience in the government and1464in the private sector running complex organizations, does more1465money always equal better results?1466    Mr. Dabbar. No, Senator.1467    Senator Moreno. Sometimes the opposite, right? But that is1468something that I think most people who have not run1469organizations would feel that that is an odd paradigm, right,1470because typically the idea is more people, more money. You have1471a problem, throw money at it. Throw people at it.1472    Can you talk about what you have seen in your experience1473why that is a fallacy?1474    Mr. Dabbar. So a lot of times money can be spent on things1475that have not been--are not needed I think is a good way of1476putting it.1477    So I will give you an example. When I was Under Secretary1478for Science we had just won--we were just winning when I showed1479up--the Nobel Prize for the lithium ion chemistry.1480    But the department was still spending money on lithium ion1481battery discovery science--not scaling, not manufacturing, but1482discovery science. And so we were spending something that we1483won the Nobel Prize on and I think we could say that that was a1484declaration of victory for discovery science.1485    And so that was not a really great place to kind of keep on1486spending money into something that we already had victory on so1487we refocused the money on the future, and so I think that is an1488example of, you know, the right way to think about where the1489taxpayer money should be looking at.1490    Senator Moreno. So as we talk about cuts and assessments of1491different programs it is absolutely something that is1492essential, right, to see where is the money most efficiently,1493and setting up better processes, better systems, and taking1494advantage of technology is a much better way to go than just1495randomly throwing a bunch of money into a problem.1496    Mr. Dabbar. Absolutely, and I am going to be mildly1497dangerous and bring up Hanford with Senator Cantwell. There was1498a lot of money spent for a very long period of time and a lot1499of different directions have been--I am always paraphrasing the1500senator from many years ago--heading in different directions1501that we are not accomplishing very much.1502    And when the senator looked at me and Secretary Brouillette15038 years ago and said, can you say that we are going to focus on1504the things that work rather than things that are not working,1505not pivot back and forth and get things done, and one of the1506proudest things I think the two of us and others did was the1507last couple of days of the previous administration was to call1508up the senator and say that we had completed construction.1509    Senator Moreno. That is great.1510    Shifting gears again, 25 years ago--so we are in the 25th1511year anniversary of what I think is the most toxic, most1512outrageously terrible bill in the history of the United States1513of America, which is the U.S.-China Normalization Act.1514    The GDP of China at that point in time, 25 years ago, was1515$1.2 trillion. It is projected to be $20 trillion next year.1516Who won and who lost?1517    Mr. Dabbar. The accession of China to the WTO and the1518normalization was very, very poor to the U.S. economy and in1519particular to the manufacturing workers that about 5 million1520people lost their jobs.1521    And given the velocity of money in the communities that--1522you can multiply that by five or six--we lost about 25 to 301523million jobs in this country as a result of--to a large degree1524of that topic.1525    Senator Moreno. And what kind of jobs?1526    Mr. Dabbar. Well, certainly the manufacturing jobs were the15275 million that had dropped.1528    Senator Moreno. These are jobs that are family sustaining1529wages where you could live, provide for a family, retire with1530dignity?1531    Mr. Dabbar. Yes. Dignity and middle class jobs is what was1532lost because of that.1533    Senator Moreno. And what would happen, in your mind, if we1534just ignored it? If we just said, look, we can make cheap goods1535in some other country and bring them into the United States1536where would we be in 10 years?1537    Mr. Dabbar. We are--I think the trends that we are seeing1538around fentanyl, trends that we are seeing on small town1539America that really accelerated over the last 20 years because1540of that collapse of manufacturing related jobs.1541    Yes, I think you will see that continue and I think all of1542us, you know, do not want to see that continue.1543    Senator Moreno. Well, thank you.1544    I recognize Senator Baldwin.15451546               STATEMENT OF HON. TAMMY BALDWIN,1547                  U.S. SENATOR FROM WISCONSIN15481549    Senator Baldwin. Thank you.1550    Mr. Dabbar, congratulations on your nomination. I want to1551pick off or pick up on a point that our Ranking Member made in1552her opening comments.1553    When Congress passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law we1554included a bipartisan amendment in this committee that put the1555Minority Business Development Agency into statute.1556    Our intention was to invest in entrepreneurs and small1557businesses by expanding the reach of business centers that1558provide high-quality technical assistance to minority business1559enterprises including counseling and mentoring, assisting with1560access to capital and contracts, and supporting job creation1561and retention.1562    That recent bipartisan accomplishment led by many members1563of this committee and, again, on a bipartisan basis has been1564dismissed by this administration, which is set on eliminating1565the agency and closing the business centers in our states.1566    President Trump, in dismantling the Minority Business1567Development Agency, issued an executive order that requires a1568report and that report needs to explain which functions of the1569Minority Business Development Agency are statutorily required,1570which is what we did in this committee when we included our1571amendment.1572    My calls for that report have gone unanswered. So, Mr.1573Dabbar, if confirmed I will be following up with you to get1574that report and the answers on the Minority Business1575Development Agency.1576    Can I count on you to be responsive?1577    Mr. Dabbar. I will certainly make certain that we respond1578to your letter.1579    Senator Baldwin. Mr. Dabbar, we have seen the Minority1580Business Development Agency grant a termination notice that was1581signed by a DOGE member named Nate Cavanaugh.1582    Mr. Cavanaugh signed a notice claiming that he was acting1583under the authority of the Acting Under Secretary of the1584Minority Business Development Agency, Keith Sonderling.1585    We have since learned that Mr. Cavanaugh may have1586potentially sent these grant termination notices without Mr.1587Sonderling's approval, which if true raises very serious1588questions about whether DOGE is now running the Department of1589Commerce.1590    So, Mr. Dabbar, if confirmed will you commit to review the1591MBDA grant termination notices that were signed by Mr.1592Cavanaugh and promptly inform this committee whether Mr.1593Cavanaugh sent those notices with proper approval?1594    Mr. Dabbar. If I am so honored to be confirmed, I have a1595great amount of experience in running organizations including1596review criteria of who has certain approvals. I did that as1597Under Secretary. I will certainly----1598    Senator Baldwin. So you will immediately let us know1599whether Mr. Cavanaugh had the authority and approval to sign1600those grant termination notices?1601    Mr. Dabbar. I will certainly look into it, Senator. I do1602not know the details but I will certainly look into it if I am1603confirmed.1604    Senator Baldwin. And provide those details?1605    Mr. Dabbar. I will respond to any of the requests that you1606have submitted.1607    Senator Baldwin. In Wisconsin our biohealth tech hub1608furthers the state position as a global leader in personalized1609medicine. The first tranche of funding provided by the CHIPS1610and Science Act has been disbursed, but there are millions more1611owed to the tech hub program over the next 5 years.1612    I understand the administration is considering submitting a1613budget request to Congress that would eliminate the Economic1614Development Administration that disburses those funds.1615    If confirmed, do I have your commitment to keeping the1616promises that were made to the technology hubs?1617    Mr. Dabbar. So I am not familiar with the budget proposals1618that are being drafted and so on, but I will follow whatever1619the law is and whatever is appropriated by Congress.1620    Senator Baldwin. So you would--I have your commitment to1621keeping the promises that we made to the tech hubs? Is that1622what you said?1623    Mr. Dabbar. I will follow authorization and appropriations.1624    Senator Baldwin. The tech hubs will have an enormous amount1625of potential to make strides in artificial intelligence, in1626quantum computing, in advanced manufacturing, in addition to1627advancements in personalized medicine like the one that is1628housed in Wisconsin.1629    Under your leadership how will the Department of Commerce1630utilize innovation from these regional technology hubs?1631    Mr. Dabbar. So I will give you a Wisconsin example.1632    Senator Baldwin. Great.1633    Mr. Dabbar. So of the four number-one supercomputers that1634were built at DOE three were built in Wisconsin.1635    Senator Baldwin. Cray. HPE.1636    Mr. Dabbar. And I was there. I went to go visit and they1637not only do, you know, DOE computers but many across the1638country including for national security.1639    Senator Baldwin. Yes.1640    Mr. Dabbar. So Wisconsin's leadership of that and1641manufacturing of high-performance computers and obviously the1642workforce in Wisconsin was highly important in order for us to1643do that.1644    So I have personal experience in Wisconsin on workforce, on1645AI, and computing, and it was vitally important to me back then1646and will be vital for the country, going forward.1647    Senator Baldwin. Thank you.1648    The Chairman [presiding]. Thank you.1649    Senator Moran.16501651                STATEMENT OF HON. JERRY MORAN,1652                   U.S. SENATOR FROM KANSAS16531654    Senator Moran. Chairman, thank you, and, Mr. Dabbar,1655welcome. Good morning.1656    A couple of things, mostly related to budget and to trade,1657although Senator Klobuchar in her failure to ask one of her1658questions asked me to ask, and I just would remind you she and1659I co-chair the Travel and Tourism Caucus in the Senate and we1660are looking to see support from the Department of Commerce in1661regard to the events that are occurring in our country related1662to FIFA and all the potential business opportunities our1663country has there, plus then the international Olympics in Los1664Angeles.1665    Our country has a lot of preparation to be prepared for1666those--that number of guests. What I want to talk to you about1667first is NOAA.1668    I find some reports disturbing about the significant budget1669cuts at NOAA along with personnel shortages. I would like to1670hear you confirm that it is important for our Weather Service1671offices to remain open 24/7.1672    It is essential for public safety. It is essential for the1673economy of Kansas and agriculture producers, the aviation1674industry, and that seems to be in jeopardy based upon where we1675are, and that these Weather Service offices need to be staffed167624/7 and we will work in my capacity as an appropriator to see1677that the money is there as I think we have done in the past.1678    We just need to make sure that that would be implemented1679and supported by the Department of Commerce.1680    Mr. Dabbar. Yes, Senator. As someone who grew up just a few1681miles south of Independence, across the border, Tornado Alley,1682and the support that we have for many parts of the country but1683including your state is vitally important.1684    Senator Moran. I thank you for your willingness to1685cooperate.1686    In addition to agriculture we are the air capital of the1687world and manufacture more general aviation airplanes but now1688that is expanding into many other aspects of aviation and1689aerospace.1690    One of the key frameworks that has made this possible is a16911979 Agreement on Trade in Civil Aircraft, a pact among the1692U.S. and 33 other nations. That agreement is hugely important1693to the supply chain of the industry.1694    The aviation industry is one of the bright spots in our1695export markets and I need to know that you are willing to work1696to make certain that we go forward under that agreement in our1697relationships with those countries in a way that does not1698interfere with the supply chain of producing airplanes and1699aircraft and aerospace in this country.1700    Mr. Dabbar. Absolutely, Senator. I mean, clearly, in1701addition to agriculture, aerospace and defense is a comparative1702advantage industry for this country and the net trade benefit1703positive should continue to expand in that sector for us.1704    Senator Moran. Mr. Dabbar, you just highlighted why trade1705and tariffs are so important to me as a Kansan. Aviation,1706aerospace, and agriculture--we are an export-dependent state1707and we earn our living doing so.1708    I want to talk to you a moment, again, about the1709Manufacturing Extension Partnership, the MEP. Last month the1710Department of Commerce informed 10 states--the MEP program1711centers--that it would not renew their funding.1712    This is true despite strong bipartisan support for the1713program and seemingly in alignment with the Trump1714administration's interest in improving the environment for1715increasing manufacturing in the United States.1716    Do you have any thoughts about how MEP fits into the future1717of manufacturing and the level of support we can see from the1718Department of Commerce for that program?1719    Mr. Dabbar. So I had the honor when I was Under Secretary1720to support manufacturing, R&D efforts for new advanced1721manufacturing when I was Under Secretary at a number of1722different senators' states here when I was running the National1723Labs.1724    So at least from my point of view, how do we drive advanced1725manufacturing for the next step is vitally important and1726programs to support that I think are vitally important.1727    So I would certainly look into that program and try to see1728how that advances advanced manufacturing for the future.1729    Senator Moran. Mr. Dabbar, it seems like you have done a1730lot of traveling. I do not remember we have ever met in Kansas1731and I would like to take that 50th state off your list or put1732it on your list, and I assume by that smile and head shake you1733and I will visit my state together.1734    Mr. Dabbar. I will be glad to visit Wichita and visit some1735factories or wherever else makes sense, Senator.1736    Senator Moran. Thank you for answering my questions.1737    The Chairman. Thank you, Senator Moran, and I can attest1738Kansas is a wonderful place to be.1739    Senator Kim.17401741                  STATEMENT OF HON. ANDY KIM,1742                  U.S. SENATOR FROM NEW JERSEY17431744    Senator Kim. Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chair.1745    Earlier in this hearing when you were actually having an1746exchange with the Chairman you talked about something that1747caught my attention. You said, you know, we should be trying to1748reindustrialize in order to compete with China and improve our1749national security.1750    You also expressed your support for the CHIPS and Science1751Act. Do you see the CHIPS and Science Act and what it is trying1752to do there as part of an effort to try to reindustrialize and1753try to push us further forward to be able to better compete1754with China?1755    Mr. Dabbar. Yes, Senator.1756    Senator Kim. So I guess I am interested. This is something1757I raised with Secretary Lutnick as well in his hearing.1758    I was trying to think through, OK, you know, on that part1759when we deal with semiconductor chips we have used that as an1760effort to move forward.1761    I guess I wanted to ask you the same question I asked him1762which is, do you think that there are other sectors, other1763types of technologies, where we can envision sort of a 2.0 not1764necessarily on semiconductors again but I am trying to think1765through where do we go from here?1766    How do we try to take the lessons that we learned from1767CHIPS and Science and see whether or not there is another area1768of critical technology that we should be working together in a1769public-private partnership to be able to move forward?1770    What are your thoughts on that?1771    Mr. Dabbar. So let me hit on one that I know reasonably1772well which is energy technologies. America's leadership and now1773global leadership in energy certainly is in part on production1774but certainly part of it is on technology, and most of which--1775what we are deploying today from the energy sector was not1776invented in a commercial form 20 years ago.1777    And I know the pipeline quite well of energy technologies,1778given my background. Let me pick one that might be associated1779with your state, which is fusion.1780    The fusion--the likelihood of fusion becoming commercial in1781the next decade and in the next couple of years, first1782commercial fusion cores having big accomplishments is very,1783very likely. Princeton and others are big supporters of that.1784    So I think as we think about those sort of things some of1785the ideas that you were asking the question about can certainly1786make sense.1787    Senator Kim. I know some of that crosses different1788jurisdictions of departments and agencies, but if you are1789confirmed is that something you would be willing to work with1790me on in terms of trying to think through how we move forward1791in terms of using some of those types of tools and try to see1792if we can create some bipartisan energy going forward?1793    Mr. Dabbar. Yes, Senator.1794    Senator Kim. Well, I am curious. You know, you also did a1795lot when it comes to quantum.1796    Do you see space there as well to kind of further the1797government's role in terms of trying to supercharge that type1798of technology moving forward?1799    Mr. Dabbar. Yes, Senator. I think what has been1800accomplished because of the National Quantum Act that was1801previously passed and in particular it is supported out of this1802committee with the various agencies that the opportunity there1803to move from research to first deployment of systems I think we1804are there.1805    And so I think working with Congress and, obviously, I1806think Commerce within its--already within NIST primarily within1807its capabilities but how do we move forward I supported1808previously the National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act,1809which I still think is being considered.1810    I would love to work with you and other members of this1811committee as that gets considered.1812    Senator Kim. A lot of what we talked about just now was1813about efforts to move forward on advanced manufacturing, trying1814to supercharge it. But I would like to just kind of take a step1815back here.1816    You talked earlier about the importance of science and1817technology investments writ large. I guess I just wanted to ask1818you what you think the government's role is when it comes to1819basic research, so not necessarily in the implementation side.1820    But do you think that we are at the right level of basic1821research investment as a U.S. government? I just wanted to get1822a sense.1823    Do you think it is too high? Too low? Where do you think we1824are at?1825    Mr. Dabbar. So I have talked about this a lot over the last1826many years, given my last roles. You know, the best bang for1827the buck for the taxpayer many times is discovery and the1828reason why is that it is too far away from cash-flow for the1829private sector to fund well.1830    So if you go to--and although there was history, certainly,1831in New Jersey and elsewhere but to a very large degree in1832today's environment you go to GE or you go to a lot of these1833companies and say, please invest in very early discovery1834science and they will say no, I need--you know, we want to do1835it higher up the TRL level.1836    And so the best place to invest the Federal money is where1837the private sector really isn't and the best place for that is1838discovery. So----1839    Senator Kim. So in terms of going back to that first--the1840quote that I asked you about, you know, that we need to1841reindustrialize in order to compete with China, would you also1842say then we need to be able to make sure we are investing in1843basic research in order to be able to compete with China?1844    Mr. Dabbar. Yes, Senator.1845    Senator Kim. OK. Thank you. And with that, I will yield1846back.1847    The Chairman. Thank you.1848    Senator Schmitt.18491850                STATEMENT OF HON. ERIC SCHMITT,1851                   U.S. SENATOR FROM MISSOURI18521853    Senator Schmitt. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.1854    It is good to see you. Now, am I right you grew up in1855Independence then?1856    Mr. Dabbar. No. I was right south in a little town called1857Bartlesville.1858    Senator Schmitt. I know Bartlesville. I know Bartlesville.1859    Having run statewide three times in 8 years I know a lot of1860those towns. It is good to have you here.1861    I did want to talk a little bit about--I know that, you1862know, trade is, obviously, a hot topic and I think one of the1863things that has been illuminating for a lot of folks is to1864really kind of understand how we got here.1865    I think, you know, after World War II there were a lot of1866favorable conditions created so that our allies could get back1867on their feet principally to defeat Soviet communism.1868    That happened, and our foreign policy was sort of dedicated1869to that same proposition. That happened. But after the Cold War1870ended there was not an adjustment by way of foreign policy nor1871on economic policy.1872    So that is how you end up. You wake up and you go to--you1873know, you have Liberation Day and you find out that all these1874countries have not just tariffs but all these sort of trade1875practices that make it difficult for our goods to get into1876their markets.1877    You cannot sell beef in Australia. You cannot--you do not1878see an American car in Europe. You do not see an American car1879in Japan.1880    And so from my perspective it is about time that we1881rebalanced that equation and that is exactly what is happening1882right now, and I think you have got--from my perspective you1883got two buckets.1884    You have got China and you have got everybody else, and1885everybody else that is what everybody is working through right1886now.1887    Is that how you see it?1888    Mr. Dabbar. Yes, Senator.1889    Senator Schmitt. That is fair? And I think ultimately you1890are seeing this investment. You are seeing the commitment from1891a lot of companies to start to do their advanced manufacturing,1892their production in the United States.1893    I do not think it is--no one is naive. We are not going to1894produce everything here but getting back our fair share as1895opposed to those jobs going to China or to Mexico.1896    I think it is time that we have an administration that1897stood up for working folks who have been kind of left behind by1898this globalist dream that borders do not matter and, you know,1899it is just--nations do not matter and I think that is what we1900are sort of on the precipice of.1901    So anyway, you know, not to put a bow on the debate because1902it is ongoing but I did want to ask you also last--the first 21903years I was here I was the Ranking Member on the Space and1904Science Subcommittee.1905    We dealt a lot with commercial space, and I just wanted to1906get your thoughts. There is--this is a really important area1907for us. You talk about this global--this competition we have,1908this great powers competition with China. It is not confined to1909the terrestrial. It is not confined to the sea.1910    It is in space, too, and having a robust commercial space1911sector is really important for us to compete. You talked about1912discovery.1913    We do not really know what those discoveries might be on1914the Moon or in Mars but we know that we better find them before1915China because they certainly have designs.1916    Have you been brought up to speed or can you speak to how1917your office intends to sort of operate both with respect to1918NOAA and AST over it?1919    Because what you do not want to have is this sort of turf1920battle that defines so much of what happens in Washington and I1921think the newness of all this provides opportunities for1922greater alignment.1923    How do you see that? Where do you--how do you plan to deal1924with that?1925    Mr. Dabbar. So I have a little bit of a background at DOE.1926We actually did Mars work with JPL and with NASA, and we looked1927at nuclear propulsion. So there is a lot of technology1928advancement.1929    Certainly, I would work very closely with NASA and the1930facilities at Kennedy and elsewhere that--to make certain that1931we continue to suck in more investment and more launches and1932more commercial and use of footprint that we have in this1933country, and part of that in order to drive the economy and the1934aerospace sector, which we are so incredibly strong lead in1935including interstate.1936    And so I would advocate very strongly with my fellow1937science and technology--other partners at NASA and elsewhere to1938make certain that we open up for the world as well as our own1939launches and expand our leadership that we are already doing1940pretty well on.1941    Senator Schmitt. Well, we would love to get you back home1942to Missouri and because, as you mentioned, there is a lot going1943on particularly in the aerospace sector and the defense tech1944industry that sort of exists I think is really important.1945    And then, finally, I just want to put it on your radar I1946think one of the concerns with AI is it is a huge opportunity.1947    I do not think it is Skynet about ready the universe to be1948destroyed nor do I think cancer is going to be figured out1949tomorrow. It is probably somewhere in the middle, but it is a1950lot of opportunity.1951    But one of the concerns I think a lot of folks have is that1952what you do not want to have is AI manipulated in a way that1953affects people's right to express themselves or free speech,1954and that will be sort of on your plate, too.1955    We just want to make sure people, regardless of your1956opinion or your point of view, have the ability to speak your1957mind and you do not have this--we saw some of the efforts from1958the previous administration put their thumb on the scale with1959big tech and you are going to be in a position to make sure1960that does not happen, and I am sure that you share those1961concern and want to make sure that it is an open platform right1962for folks.1963    Mr. Dabbar. Yes, Senator.1964    Senator Schmitt. OK. Thank you.1965    The Chairman. Thank you.1966    Senator Peters.19671968                STATEMENT OF HON. GARY PETERS,1969                  U.S. SENATOR FROM MICHIGAN19701971    Senator Peters. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.1972    Mr. Dabbar, congratulations on your nomination. Good to1973have you here today.1974    Sir, I believe the Department of Commerce has an absolutely1975critical role in supporting U.S. manufacturing. That is why I1976was so concerned when last month the department briefly tried1977to cancel funding for 10 states' Manufacturing Extension1978Partnership programs, or MEPs.1979    The Department appeared to quickly reverse course on this1980decision and announce that these centers would be, quote,1981``under review'' until the end of the Fiscal Year.1982    I hope you are aware of MEPs, but the MEPs are essential to1983the U.S. manufacturing base. Every state has a center that is1984charged with helping small and medium manufacturers make their1985businesses successful, especially through workforce training1986and integration with advanced manufacturing as well as putting1987AI into their manufacturing process to increase efficiently,1988oftentimes dramatically.1989    Michigan's MEP--the Michigan Manufacturing Tech Center--has1990been extremely successful in helping businesses save money.1991    Last year alone they helped nearly 600 businesses save,1992roughly, 5,000 jobs in my state. MMTC generates a lot of its1993own operating costs but they still rely on Federal funding in1994order--for about a third of their operations.1995    The Michigan Center contract is up for renewal on July 1st1996and they are waiting for some funding certainty even sooner1997than that. Otherwise, they risk losing services so that they1998can provide to these small and medium manufacturers.1999    Historically, the MEP program has been bipartisan. That is2000why I think it is unconscionable that this administration is2001trying to eliminate something that has had broad, broad2002bipartisan support and support within the business community as2003well.2004    So my question for you is--this is basically a yes or no--2005if confirmed do you commit to carrying out any appropriated2006funding for MEPs and providing certainty for these centers in2007accordance with congressional intent?2008    Mr. Dabbar. We will certainly follow through on2009appropriation--appropriated line items and authorization. I2010would need--I certainly know about the program, Senator, that2011you mentioned and will certainly execute as per appropriated2012and authorized.2013    Senator Peters. So you are familiar with the program and2014your assessment of it, at least based on what you know?2015    Mr. Dabbar. I have not--I have not done. I am just--I just2016have awareness.2017    But I will say, Senator, that having run advanced2018manufacturing development, R&D work, for new advanced2019manufacturing work while I was running the National Labs for2020the country was a clear area of mine that I ran.2021    So I have a great amount of experience in that area2022including in some things that people may not think of such as2023FRIB at Michigan State in which manufacturing of isotopes,2024which may not be normal manufacturing but certainly was in my2025scope, which was very important. Obviously, isotopes is2026particularly important, given what has happened with supply2027chains and Russia.2028    Senator Peters. Right. Well, it was good to bring up FRIB.2029Those are bonus points right there, and you are right, the work2030that they do is amazing with isotopes.2031    I was just talking to the MSU President about that earlier2032this week. It is quite a program.2033    Mr. Dabbar, since the President's so-called Liberation Day2034the better--probably the better title would be National Sales2035Tax Day. We have seen just immense chaos in the U.S. economy.2036    I am constantly hearing from Michigan businesses,2037especially small businesses, that indiscriminate tariffs and2038facing the higher costs associated with those are also creating2039supply chain disruptions, and we all know that customers are2040basically going to bear the blunt of these effects. They are2041going to see higher costs as they shop and buy everyday goods.2042    So given the short- and long-term expected consequences of2043these tariffs, economic forecasters have actually updated,2044unfortunately, their projections to show for a likelihood of a2045U.S. is going to face a recession by the end of this year.2046    JPMorgan increased their odds of a recession to 65 percent.2047Goldman Sachs just increased their forecast to 45 percent2048likelihood that we are going to have an economic recession,2049which is going to hurt Americans all across the country.2050    I understand the administration is now in the midst of a205190-day pause on the vast majority of these reciprocal sales2052taxes to allow time for negotiation with trade agreements.2053    The fact of the matter, though, is that even with this2054pause there is still just widespread confusion as to how2055businesses are going to be impacted by these tariffs.2056    I had one businessman just recently in my office saying,2057basically, a pause is not good. I cannot do anything. I cannot2058hire people. I cannot make business decisions. This is going to2059hurt my business. A pause hurts my business as well.2060    And I think you would agree the one thing businesses want2061is certainty. If they have changes in rules they can adapt.2062They may not like them but they can adapt. But you have to have2063certainty and that certainty just does not exist.2064    So my question for you, if confirmed, how do you plan to2065provide greater certainty to U.S. businesses so they can do2066what they do best, which is provide services to their customers2067and grow and create jobs instead of being in a world of chaos?2068    Mr. Dabbar. So, Senator, as Deputy Secretary I will be2069supporting Secretary Lutnick and the President as directed, as2070a general point.2071    I am fully in support of the President and the Secretary's2072positions on the negotiations. I think one of the great steps2073the President took previously was tariffs on China that2074prevented the U.S. car industry from being really decimated2075like Europe's is right now by the Chinese.2076    And so I think that was very good steps that were made back2077then that really have protected the car industry, amongst other2078industries.2079    But, still, since 2000 there has been about a net $202080trillion of net trade deficit, which is a stunning number, and2081the numbers have been getting higher every year on the annual2082basis.2083    So the President and the Secretary have taken action,2084building on the action of the first administration of the2085President to try to do what was, I think, bipartisanly2086supported, actually, on those topics.2087    And the challenge is quite high and I think the steps that2088are going to go from now until where I think the President is2089targeting will accomplish a lot of pulling back that2090increasingly problems for Michigan and elsewhere.2091    Senator Peters. Very good.2092    Thank you, Mr. Chairman.2093    The Chairman. Thank you.2094    Senator Blunt Rochester.20952096            STATEMENT OF HON. LISA BLUNT ROCHESTER,2097                   U.S. SENATOR FROM DELAWARE20982099    Senator Blunt Rochester. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and2100welcome, Mr. Dabbar.2101    You have heard from some of my colleagues voice their2102concerns but I also want to be very clear about my concern over2103the gutting of the Minority Business Development Agency.2104    At his hearing before this committee I personally asked2105Secretary Lutnick if he opposed dismantling the MBDA and he2106said yes, and then gutted the agency's leadership and core2107functions anyway.2108    And it has been reported that the agency has gone from 1002109people to one person. I have heard they have been fired. I have2110heard they are on leave. That broken commitment undermines2111decades of bipartisan work.2112    It was created by a Republican president in 1969.2113Organizations like the National Urban League fought to codify2114the agency and, ultimately, the goal and what it has done is2115expand economic opportunity for communities in my state as well2116as across the country.2117    I was proud to join Senators Cantwell and Baldwin in2118writing letters opposing any effort to dismantle the MBDA. So2119my questions--first, I have a yes or no question. If you cannot2120answer it in a yes or no just say I cannot answer it.2121    Do you support the gutting of the MBDA?2122    Mr. Dabbar. I do not have enough information.2123    Senator Blunt Rochester. Could you talk about what steps2124that you would take to invest in minority-owned businesses that2125have the potential to transform our economy for the better?2126    Mr. Dabbar. As Deputy Secretary my role would be primarily2127besides the direction of the President and the Secretary is to2128execute on the authorization and the appropriations of the2129Senate.2130    Senator Blunt Rochester. I actually served as a Deputy2131Secretary in my state so I understand the role of deputy2132secretary. I also understand that it is an opportunity to also2133provide wisdom, direction, and advice.2134    And I know you have worked in many different capacities--2135public sector, private sector. In your work and in your career2136have you worked to unlock opportunities for minority-owned2137businesses and what recommendations would you give to the2138Secretary toward those goals?2139    Mr. Dabbar. Probably the one time where that--when I dealt2140with that was when I was Under Secretary for Science and there2141was a program at DOE that did not report to me but there was a2142DOE program on the topic.2143    Senator Blunt Rochester. I will follow up with more detail.2144    But I have to say I have a lack of confidence after the2145Secretary sat here and said he would not dismantle it and now2146it is being gutted.2147    I want to shift gears. We are, as has been said by many on2148the dais, in a competition with China on quantum. They have2149spent over $15 billion in quantum--public quantum funding, far2150outpacing the U.S. which has invested my understanding $9322151million in 2023.2152    There is also a major shortage of skilled quantum2153scientists and engineers with McKinsey stating there is only2154one qualified quantum candidate for every three openings.2155    And DOGE is not helping. It is, again, reported that they2156fired over 70 NIST employees in March. This is also a2157concerning trend for a technology area that has the potential2158to revolutionize computers and our economy, as you have stated.2159    Are you concerned that we are not currently meeting the2160moment when it comes to our quantum competition with China and2161what are your thoughts on this?2162    Mr. Dabbar. So it is an area I know well. I think the2163investment that was made previously under the National Quantum2164Initiative Act was a very good first step.2165    I supported in testimony before how science--about the2166reauthorization and if I am so lucky to be confirmed I would2167love to work with this committee on that.2168    I do think that the science has now moved to the point that2169we could actually start building real devices, real computers.2170I have quite a bit of experience in that, and I think this is2171the time to go do that.2172    Senator Blunt Rochester. I know--I want to turn to cyber2173security as well.2174    Quantum is a critical technology for the future of this2175industry and NIST works on quantum cryptography including2176encryption designed to resist quantum-based computer attacks.2177    While these quantum attacks have not occurred yet, security2178experts warn bad actors are stockpiling encrypted data to take2179advantage of future breakthroughs called ``harvest now, decrypt2180later'' attacks.2181    Given the current Federal employment environment how will2182you grow the quantum workforce to help protect our economy from2183potential quantum attacks?2184    Mr. Dabbar. So the Secretary is very focused on post-2185quantum crypto efforts by NIST. We will continue and accelerate2186that. I have personal experience in this quantum topic.2187    The President's letter to Director Kratsios also highlights2188this topic, and so I think we would love to work with you and2189the rest of the Senate to try to accelerate that with the next2190quantum bill amongst other program offices.2191    Senator Blunt Rochester. I will submit some more questions2192for the record on supply chains and also artificial2193intelligence.2194    And thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield back.2195    The Chairman. Thank you.2196    Senator Lujan.21972198               STATEMENT OF HON. BEN RAY LUJAN,2199                 U.S. SENATOR FROM NEW MEXICO22002201    Senator Lujan. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate that2202very much.2203    Mr. Dabbar, thank you for being before us today.2204    The first question I have, Mr. Dabbar, is a continuation of2205something that my colleague was just inquiring about and having2206a conversation with you.2207    Congress appropriated over $68 million to the MBDA. Are you2208aware what the MBDA is?2209    Mr. Dabbar. Yes, I am, Senator.2210    Senator Lujan. Now, the $68 million that was funded here is2211under the current funding bill. So this is recent. This is now.2212    So the agency could effectively carry out its mission to2213promote growth and expand economic opportunities.2214    But as you may be aware, and I will ask you if you are2215aware, Secretary Lutnick and the Trump administration have2216dismantled the MBDA. Are you aware of that?2217    Mr. Dabbar. I only know what I have picked up from the2218press.2219    Senator Lujan. You are here today to be a leader at the2220Department of Commerce. Have you taken time to study the2221Department of Commerce?2222    Mr. Dabbar. I certainly have but I do not know every detail2223at the Department right now and that is one of the ones that I2224do not know the details on the current stats.2225    Senator Lujan. What areas are you strongest in your2226knowledge base with the Department of Commerce?2227    Mr. Dabbar. Well, certainly the area of China security. As2228you know, I ran lab efforts in your state extensively as well2229as some of the nuclear operations. So the China topic, which I2230recently testified before ENR on about two months ago I think I2231have quite a lot of experience.2232    Obviously, I ran the bulk of the National Quantum2233Initiative. They built four number-one supercomputers. So while2234I was at DOE I ran WIPP.2235    So we also generated vast amounts of patents, as you know,2236under Bayh-Dole and Stevenson-Wydler. I could keep going,2237Senator, but those are a reasonable amount of things that I2238have quite a bit of exposure to.2239    Senator Lujan. In all of those responsibilities did you2240ever work with small businesses?2241    Mr. Dabbar. Absolutely, in particular at environmental2242management at DOE if you are--if you may remember the small2243business topic at DOE that certainly New Mexico was part of.2244    Senator Lujan. Is it fair to say you support small business2245success?2246    Mr. Dabbar. Yes, Senator.2247    Senator Lujan. I would encourage you to learn more about2248the MBDA. The MBDA was created to help with small business2249success, subcontracting with prime contracts. Looking at the2250major initiatives and investments that America has always had2251depends on success with small businesses.2252    The MBDA is one of its own--the only kind that exists to be2253able to provide more support, and I would argue it is the only2254one within the Department of Commerce. It is why there was2255broad support--bipartisan support--for this very small2256investment, I would argue, when you look at the United States2257budget--$68 million.2258    And it is very concerning when the Secretary when he was2259here before us as a nominee said he also supported small2260businesses and he is leading efforts with Donald Trump to2261eliminate one of the components that exists and, I would argue,2262ignoring law.2263    This is in the laws that were passed by the legislative2264branch of government and one of the prime responsibilities. I2265am sure you have been asked by several of my colleagues about2266the MBDA today.2267    So my question simply is because this was under current2268funding is where did the money go. So do you know where the2269Department has diverted the millions of dollars Congress2270appropriated to the MBDA?2271    Mr. Dabbar. As I mentioned, Senator, I do not--I am not2272confirmed. I do not have, you know, insight into individual2273line item spending at the department right now.2274    Senator Lujan. So if confirmed, will you commit to tracing2275these funds and reporting back to this committee on where2276specifically our money--taxpayer money--for the MBDA has been2277rerouted?2278    Mr. Dabbar. I can absolutely commit that I have, and I have2279a long track record of being--of coming back in for oversight2280before the Senate and the House when I was Under Secretary and2281that I will continue to do that if I am so lucky to get your2282vote.2283    Senator Lujan. I appreciate that. I am looking for a2284specific commitment in this very narrow space.2285    Will you commit to tracing these funds and reporting back2286to this committee on where specifically this money has been2287rerouted?2288    Mr. Dabbar. I do not know if it has been rerouted or not,2289Senator, but when it comes to financial accountability for2290anything in the Department including that program you have my2291commitment.2292    Senator Lujan. Let me ask the question differently then if2293the word rerouted is what we are going to get hung up on. Will2294you commit to tracing these funds and reporting back to the2295Committee where they are?2296    Mr. Dabbar. Absolutely. About any funding at the Department2297you absolutely have my commitment that you will have proper2298feedback for oversight like I did when I was Under Secretary.2299    Senator Lujan. Does that include specifically this money2300for the MBDA----2301    Mr. Dabbar. I will certainly look into that, too, Senator.2302Yes.2303    Senator Lujan. Do you commit to getting back to this2304committee and reporting where the money is?2305    Mr. Dabbar. I will certainly--I will certainly look into2306it, and if you ask a question we will respond.2307    Senator Lujan. I am asking--I am asking right now will you2308commit to get back to--it is yes or no. It is not I am going to2309look into--I am going to theoretically try to figure out2310something. The money may be somewhere. It may have--rerouted is2311a word that clearly is a bit of distance between us.2312    Can you just say yes or no? If the answer is no the answer2313is no. I respect that.2314    Mr. Dabbar. I will commit to follow every dollar and report2315back as you request on anything in the Department.2316    Senator Lujan. I will be very surprised if you do not get2317confirmed, given the votes and the natures with all these2318confirmations. You will be in this role.2319    If you keep your word you will be back for oversight2320hearings and I am sharing with you right now I will be asking2321about it.2322    If I need to I will send a formal letter. I will ask all my2323colleagues that voted for this funding to get onto that letter2324so that one of the first letters that you have when you go and2325you sit at your new desk will be this question, if I can be2326clear about that. Is that clear?2327    Mr. Dabbar. It is clear and I would like to highlight that2328having run vast operations in your state including very, very2329sensitive environmental management topics in Carlsbad and at2330Los Alamos and quantum operations at Sandia, I think I have a2331large track record with many, many people in your state on many2332topics in terms of all sorts of things including2333accountability.2334    Senator Lujan. Appreciate that. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.2335    The Chairman. Thank you.2336    Senator Rosen.23372338                STATEMENT OF HON. JACKY ROSEN,2339                   U.S. SENATOR FROM NEVADA23402341    Senator Rosen. Well, before I begin my questions I want2342to--of course, thank you, Chair Cruz, and thank you to our2343nominee for your willingness to serve again.2344    But I want to associate myself with what Senator Lujan has2345been speaking about because our MBDAs are very important in2346Nevada.2347    As you may or may not know, 99 percent of businesses in2348Nevada are small businesses, many of them minority businesses.2349We rely heavily on these services, and so I just want to2350support my colleague on that.2351    I am going to move on to something I know we also care2352about is our BEAD proposals. So Nevada's BEAD proposal was2353approved over 3 months ago. The Department of Commerce has2354still not released the $417 million allocated to connect all2355Nevadans to high-speed reliable internet.2356    The proposal is tech neutral, cost effective, uses all of2357its funding to building broadband to reach 100 percent of2358unserved Nevadans--100 percent.2359    We have a rural frontier state, the most mountainous state2360in the lower 48. Each type of technology is used with over 102361percent of our unserved locations to be covered by satellite.2362    Nevada BEADs awards' average cost per location is so much2363lower than any federally funding broadband programs in the2364state in recent years.2365    So, Mr. Dabbar, I would like to just again ask you a simple2366yes or no question. If confirmed, will you commit to releasing2367the funding for the Nevada BEADs proposal?2368    It has been approved. It has been fully approved. It is2369tech neutral, cost effective. Fulfills the mission of bringing2370high-speed reliable broadband to every Nevadan.2371    Will you commit to releasing that funding, yes or no?2372    Mr. Dabbar. I will commit to certainly look at improving2373what has been going on----2374    Senator Rosen. I will take that as a no then.2375    It has been approved.2376    Mr. Dabbar. I do not know, Senator. I apologize for not2377knowing the Nevada----2378    Senator Rosen. It has been approved. So you are saying you2379are not going to release funding that has been approved?2380    Mr. Dabbar. If something has been fully approved then----2381    Senator Rosen. It has been fully approved.2382    Mr. Dabbar.--I would want to make certain that it is,2383Senator.2384    Senator Rosen. It has been fully approved. I will go under2385oath and tell you it has been fully approved according to the2386proposal. The money has been frozen. Will you commit to2387unfreezing approved appropriated money by the United States2388Congress?2389    Mr. Dabbar. So, Senator, I feel very passionate about the2390BEAD program and the fact that the 14-step processes have not2391actually gotten to deployment to Nevada and elsewhere.2392    It has, obviously, been quite topical by many people,2393including a recent book. I agree with you on the general point2394that I think I hear from you amongst others about that process2395has not gone as well as it should have.2396    Senator Rosen. The process--our process is complete. I am2397trying to be clear. It has been completed. It has been2398approved. The money is coming and now it is frozen.2399    So it is not that something is in process or under review2400or any of those things. This is a project that has been2401completed according to the appropriate specifications and2402approved. That is all.2403    Well, we will move on to extreme heat because I know--I am2404not going to spend my time fighting about this.2405    But Nevada is home to two of the fastest warming cities in2406the country, Las Vegas and Reno, and in 2024 our emergency2407rooms experienced a record number of visits for heat-related2408illnesses, and in southern Nevada alone over 500 people died as2409a result of extreme heat.2410    I know in Texas the Chairman's state is pretty hot too so2411you have some of these similar issues with extreme heat.2412    NOAA's CAP program builds community resilience to extreme2413weather and in Nevada it supports the Nevada Heat Lab which2414focuses on mitigating the effects of extreme heat and2415protecting families from extreme heat.2416    So if confirmed, would you support the continuation of2417programs like CAP that aim to address the challenges of extreme2418heat?2419    We just do not have them in Nevada. Like I said, Texas is2420known for being pretty hot in the summer, and what role do you2421think the Department of Commerce should have in helping us?2422    Mr. Dabbar. So NOAA has a broad set on a regional basis. A2423lot of them are university centric for drought and for heat.2424    Senator Rosen. We have them both. We have both in Nevada.2425    Mr. Dabbar. And also there is--you know, there is some2426current work being done by what I would think is kind of lower2427tech but important things like planes, helicopters, balloons2428for some of the mapping and providing feedback and input to2429farmers and others around the topic.2430    And, you know, there is some prospect around using2431satellites, and I think moving the technology stack forward on2432your exact point, Senator, to get faster information, better2433information out of NOAA, moving up the technology stack is2434something I think would be very valuable for me to look at.2435    Senator Rosen. Thank you. If the Chairman would indulge me2436for a question about tourism.2437    Thank you. I so appreciate it.2438    Travel and tourism are not only the backbone of Nevada's2439economy but I can tell you every single state in this Nation it2440is a top economic driver for us, supporting 15 million jobs2441nationwide, and international tourism contributes over $1802442billion alone toward the U.S. economy.2443    So in the coming years the U.S. is hosting several2444important, major international sporting events that attract2445visitors, of course, from across the country but from around2446the world--this year's Formula One Grand Prix in Las Vegas to2447the FIFA World Cup in 2026 to the 2028 Summer Olympics. So much2448more.2449    Unfortunately, I have concerns that some of the recent2450administration's actions could make traveling to the U.S. a2451little harder, a little less attractive, at a crucial time for2452us to prioritize tourism, particularly the Olympics.2453    It is just such a shining light for everyone around the2454world and everybody looks forward to that.2455    So, Mr. Dabbar, if confirmed will you ensure that2456supporting travel and tourism is a priority at the Department2457of Commerce, understanding how important it is to our Nation2458within the Trump administration, and will you work with me to2459quickly confirm a qualified individual to serve as the first2460ever assistant secretary for travel and tourism?2461    That was a position I was proud to create through2462bipartisan legislation with Senators Wicker, Sullivan,2463Klobuchar, and many others on this committee?2464    Mr. Dabbar. Yes, Senator.2465    Senator Rosen. Thank you. I appreciate it.2466    Thank you, Mr. Chairman.2467    The Chairman. Thank you.2468    Mr. Dabbar, there is reportedly a backlog of contracts2469awaiting approval at the Department of Commerce with only five2470or six being approved per day.2471    NOAA alone has 5,700 contracts set to expire this year.2472These contracts include everything from post-hurricane flood2473assessments to janitorial services.2474    Recently, NOAA came close to letting the contract expire2475for the advanced weather interactive processing system. The2476system is critical for weather forecasters to access weather2477data from satellites, radar, surface stations, and computer2478models and to issue weather warnings.2479    More recently, a data center at Texas A&M was shut down for2480several days because of bottlenecks in the department's2481contracting process, depriving Texas emergency and water2482managers of critical drought forecasts that helped them manage2483reservoirs and track storm surge data and hurricane forecasts2484in real time.2485    There are other critical contracts for Texas that are in2486Commerce's contracting backlogs such as routine maintenance2487repairs to NOAA's aging Hurricane Hunter fleet.2488    Can you commit to addressing the problems with the2489Department of Commerce contract process and resolving the2490backlog of contracts?2491    Mr. Dabbar. Yes, Chairman.2492    The Chairman. Thank you.2493    The Department of Commerce plays an underappreciated role2494in U.S. science policy--something you have a great deal of2495experience with--emphasizing applied science, technology2496transfer, and commercialization to drive economic growth.2497    Given your experience managing national laboratories and2498advancing tech transfer at the Department of Energy, what2499lessons could the Commerce Department apply to better2500accelerate public-private partnerships and the2501commercialization of federally funded R&D?2502    Mr. Dabbar. So, Senator, my kind of philosophy around2503Federal Government spending is it should be the equivalent of2504venture money. It should be the equivalent of triggering money2505to get the private sector moving in a certain direction.2506    Certainly, discovery science is a big part of it. But how2507do you translate it, as your question posed, is vitally2508important.2509    So taking a look at the structure around Bayh-Dole and2510Wydler-Stevenson that actually makes that possible. But how do2511we make that easier? And also how do we set up better2512communities for people to see what we have invented or2513supported invention either in the private sector or in the2514universities, and how do we make it easier for people to go do2515that is certainly something I did at DOE and would look to push2516that forward at Commerce.2517    The Chairman. Thank you. I look forward to working with you2518in that regard.2519    Finally, the United States has been a global leader in2520technological innovation due to our free enterprise system and2521strong rule of law.2522    Our nation's leadership in critical emerging technologies2523like artificial intelligence will hinge on whether we embrace2524entrepreneurial freedom or instead adopt a European style2525command and control regulatory scheme.2526    You correctly recognize that the United States must2527continue to outpace China and remain the global leader at AI.2528What is at risk if we go the direction of Europe and the Biden2529administration and adopt heavy-handed AI regulations requiring2530prior approval before new innovations can be implemented?2531    Mr. Dabbar. So the AI sector--a sector, but the AI2532applications are so darn broad everything from energy to2533agriculture to financial services, and I could keep going, is2534so wide that regulating something with that breadth and that2535width and people's ability to invent things across those and2536many other industries would impede economic progress and that2537whole sector, and productivity for the whole economy and the2538welfare for everyday American citizens. So free enterprise and2539allowing everyone to develop across those and every other2540industry is vitally important for a broad set of reasons.2541    The Chairman. During the Biden administration the National2542Institute of Standards and Technology--NIST--including the AI2543Safety Institute looked at the worst of the European Union tech2544regulation policing, quote, ``misinformation'' as a part of,2545quote, ``measuring AI'' and its, quote, ``risks.'' This was all2546nonsense.2547    If confirmed, how will you restore NIST to its apolitical2548statutory mission and eliminate Trojan horse social policy?2549    Mr. Dabbar. So NIST has certain strengths that it is,2550clearly, leader in the world--the ones on standards, ones on2551identifying the kind of the capabilities of certain2552technologies and measuring those.2553    And so those--you know, I think trying to have NIST stick2554to the traditional area that it does very well in versus2555expanding it into other areas I think that is probably the2556right way to go for NIST in this particular area.2557    The Chairman. Terrific. So my final question is required of2558all nominees.2559    If confirmed, do you pledge to work collaboratively with2560this committee to provide thorough and timely responses to the2561Committee's requests and to appear before the Committee when2562requested?2563    Mr. Dabbar. Yes, Senator.2564    The Chairman. Thank you.2565    I have letters of support from various organizations for2566Mr. Dabbar's nomination and I ask unanimous consent for them to2567be inserted in the hearing record.2568    Without objection, so ordered.2569    [The information referred to follows:]25702571    [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]25722573    The Chairman. Senators will have until the close of2574business on Friday, May 2, to submit questions for the record.2575The nominee will have until the close of business on Monday,2576May 5, to respond to those questions. So you will have a busy2577weekend.2578    That concludes today's hearing. The Committee stands2579adjourned.2580    [Whereupon, at 11:44 a.m., the hearing was adjourned.]25812582                            A P P E N D I X25832584      Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Ted Cruz to2585                              Paul Dabbar25862587    Question 1. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's2588(NOAA) Atlantic Oceanographic & Meteorological Laboratory and National2589Severe Storms Laboratory lead research to improve the Federal2590government's hurricane and tornado forecasts. Hurricane forecasting has2591improved but is far from perfect, as tragically demonstrated by2592Hurricane Helene, which resulted in over 250 deaths across six states2593last year.25942595    a. How will you leverage NOAA's labs to improve storm forecasting2596and save American lives?2597    Answer. The tragic impacts of Hurricane Helene serve as a sobering2598reminder of the stakes involved in timely and accurate storm2599forecasting. NOAA's labs, including the AOML and the NSSL represent2600critical assets in advancing the science that underpins forecasts and2601warnings. Continued support for innovation, workforce expertise, and2602mission-driven science will help ensure that forecasting improvements2603translate into meaningful benefits for communities at risk.26042605    Question 2. My hometown of Houston was hit hard by Hurricane2606Harvey. Fortunately, the accurate hurricane path predictions provided2607by the National Weather Service, which incorporated data from the2608Hurricane Hunters flown by the NOAA Corps, helped emergency management2609prepare for the hurricane and save lives. These aircraft provide vital2610data that satellites and drones cannot capture. NOAA only has three2611Hurricane Hunter aircraft and a limited number of pilots who fly very2612long hours. A March 2025 GAO report (GAO-25-107210), which I requested,2613reviews the challenges faced by NOAA's Hurricane Hunter fleet.26142615    a. How will you ensure the Department of Commerce complies with2616Chapter 8549 of Title 15, United States Code, which requires NOAA to2617``acquire backup for the capabilities of the WP-3D Orion and G-IV2618hurricane aircraft of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric2619Administration that is sufficient to prevent a single point of2620failure,'' as well as Pub. L. 117-263, which requires NOAA to2621``maintain the ability of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric2622Administration to meet agency air reconnaissance and research mission2623requirements by acquiring new aircraft prior to the end of the service2624life of the aircraft being replaced with sufficient lead time that the2625replacement aircraft is fully operation [sic] prior to the retirement2626of the aircraft it is replacing''?2627    Answer. I recognize the vital role Hurricane Hunter aircraft play2628in protecting lives and property through accurate and timely forecasts.2629I will work with NOAA to ensure that they meet the statutory2630requirements in order to maintain these capabilities.26312632    Question 3. Last year, an activist Maryland judge vacated NOAA's2633existing biological opinion for the then-Gulf of Mexico. NOAA must file2634a new biological opinion on offshore work in the Gulf by May 21, 2025.2635If this does not occur, oil and gas operations in the Gulf could be2636shut down.26372638    a. Will you hold NOAA's feet to the fire and make sure it meets the2639May 21st deadline for re-issuing this biological opinion, if confirmed2640before then?2641    Answer. If confirmed, I will work with NOAA to ensure that they2642meet the May 21st deadline. I understand that the biological opinion is2643essential to avoiding disruption to vital oil and gas operations in the2644Gulf of America, which play a key role in the Nation's energy security2645and economy. Timely completion is critical to providing the certainty2646the industry needs while maintaining environmental compliance.2647                                 ______26482649    Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Roger Wicker to2650                              Paul Dabbar26512652NOAA Cooperative Institutes2653    The Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute (OECI) was established2654in 2019, with five institutions, University of Southern Mississippi,2655University of Rhode Island, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution,2656University of New Hampshire, and Ocean Exploration Trust, bringing2657together world-class talent, expertise, enterprise, and experience.2658Through OECI, members leveraged resources, infrastructure, and2659intellectual focus in its national effort to discover nearly four2660million square miles of submerged U.S. territory. With NOAA, and other2661Federal and industry partners, OCEI explores the unknown parts of the2662U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) for the explicit purpose of2663advancing prosperity of the United States.2664    The Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute has and continues to2665support the Trump Administration's priorities through U.S. leadership2666in ocean exploration and technology development. The OECI is the go-to2667for critical minerals discovery in the ocean due their expertise with2668long-endurance autonomous surface and subsurface vehicles. This work is2669accelerated through public-private partnerships with industry.26702671    Question 1. What are your priorities for further implementation of2672public-private partnerships with NOAA Cooperative Institutes? How do2673you plan to utilize your authorities to incentivize innovative ocean2674research and training in the United States?2675    Answer. Ocean exploration, mapping, and characterization of the2676U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone and beyond are critical to advancing2677national interests, from scientific discovery to economic development.2678Public-private partnerships offer opportunities to accelerate2679innovation and expand capacity in ocean science and technology. As part2680of this effort, there should be a careful assessment of how Cooperative2681Institutes can help achieve these goals and support NOAA's broader2682mission through research, training, and collaboration.2683Oceans and Fisheries Data Collection2684    Background: The Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) is the2685Nation's leading resource for community-driven coastal, ocean, and2686Great Lakes sensor information. This vital program supports a vast2687network of buoys, gliders, high frequency radars, and other sensors2688that monitor U.S. waters. This efficient, reliable, and cost-effective2689system supports emergency preparedness, underpins a thriving blue2690economy, and bridges the gap between scientific research, federally2691certified data, and sound management. Recently, the Gulf Coast Ocean2692Observing System funded a project to modernize High Frequency Radar2693stations to enhance Coast Guard search and rescue operations. IOOS2694deploys, operates, and maintains more than 300 observing assets at 112695Regional Associations. It supports 17 Federal agencies, including NOAA,2696where the IOOS program office is headquartered. The IOOS program was2697reauthorized unanimously in 2020 and signed into law by President2698Trump.2699    In addition to IOOS, the Gulf Maritime Fisheries Commission and2700other regional fisheries commissions work with NOAA to collect critical2701data for fisheries management. The Gulf States Marine Fisheries2702Commission's cooperative agreement with NOAA expired on March 31 and a2703renewal agreement is under review. Until a renewal is in place, the2704commission cannot fully distribute funds to the state partners and2705contractors who do the on-the-ground data collection. While the2706commission is extending some limited resources to provide for short-2707term operations, I am concerned that a delayed review would cause2708significant disruptions in the collection of fish stock data. Such2709disruptions would have a negative impact on fisheries and coastal2710communities in the Gulf of America.27112712    Question 2. The Integrated Ocean Observing System, or IOOS, and the2713Gulf Marine Fisheries Commission collect essential scientific2714observations like ocean, weather, and fish stock data to support2715navigation, forecasting, and fishing. Would you agree that it should be2716priority to maintain critical data collection programs which monitor2717U.S. waters?2718    Answer. Collecting high-quality ocean, coastal, and fisheries data2719is critical to supporting safe navigation, accurate forecasting,2720effective resource management, and the broader blue economy. The value2721of maintaining continuity in these data collection activities is well2722recognized and will continue to be an important consideration.2723Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program2724    Background: The Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) is a2725public-private partnership that provides resources to manufacturers, to2726advance U.S. manufacturing. The program is based at the National2727Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The MEP program was2728created in 1988 by the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act to improve2729the competitiveness of U.S.-based manufacturing by making manufacturing2730technologies, processes and services more accessible to small and2731medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) through MEP Centers in every state2732and Puerto Rico. The MEP Centers provide expertise to help2733manufacturers reduce costs, create new products, develop the next2734generation workforce, find new markets and achieve business success.2735The MEP program office provides Federal funding to 51 Centers located2736in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. As a public-private partnership, the2737MEP National Network helped manufacturers achieve $15 billion in new2738and retained sales, $5 billion in new client investments, $2.6 billion2739in cost savings and over 108,000 jobs created or retained in Fiscal2740Year (FY) 2024.2741    At the beginning of April, NIST notified 10 MEP centers, including2742the Mississippi Manufacturers Association-Manufacturing Extension2743Partnership, that it was not going to renew its funding for the2744centers. On April 15, NIST announced that after further review, it2745would renew funding for the 10 centers until the end of the Fiscal Year2746as the Department reviews the program.27472748    Question 3. President Trump rightly wants to revive American2749manufacturing and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program under2750NIST helps achieve just that by providing targeted investments to small2751and medium sized manufacturing businesses. As the Department of2752Commerce reviews its programs, will you commit to supporting critical2753initiatives to grow domestic manufacturing?2754    Answer. If confirmed, I look forward to working to support2755President Trump's and Secretary Lutnick's efforts to grow domestic2756manufacturing.2757                                 ______27582759  Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Marsha Blackburn to2760                              Paul Dabbar27612762    Question 1. U.S. advancement of quantum technology is critical for2763our Nation to compete on the global stage, but without a coordinated2764effort at the Federal level, we risk falling behind our adversaries.2765The results of failure would be disastrous for our Nation. What do you2766view as the most important pieces of a National Quantum Initiative2767Reauthorization bill, and will you commit to prioritizing advancing2768quantum innovation in your role at the Department of Commerce?2769    Answer. Quantum is a technology that can define the success of our2770Nation and the quality of our lives and is highly prioritized by2771President Trump and Secretary Lutnick. I join them in committing to2772advance our quantum success through wise investment in research,2773including efforts to speed commercialization of American-developed2774technology.27752776    Question 2. Before the National Quantum Initiative lapsed, I2777convened industry and government for a roundtable to discuss priorities2778for the reauthorization and we heard a great deal about siloing and a2779lack of coordination between the departments. We all need to be on the2780same page if we're going to win the quantum race and defeat China. In2781your view, what do we need to do to make certain the reauthorization2782improves agency to agency collaboration?2783    Answer. As a former Under Secretary of Energy charged with science2784and research responsibilities, I am keenly aware of the need and2785advantages for agencies to coordinate quantum research and innovation2786work. If confirmed, I look forward to regular engagement with agency2787leaders across the government to ensure that we achieve quantum success2788at the fastest reasonable pace.27892790    Question 3. Our allies and adversaries are building quantum and2791hybrid applications today to tackle a wide variety of issues across2792industries--including optimization of manufacturing, drug discovery,2793supply chain, and more. And they are doing it quickly. For example, the2794UK has called for applications that could be developed and deployed in279518 months or less. I've reintroduced my Quantum Sandbox for Near Term2796Applications Act, which would provide more opportunity for public-2797private partnerships to develop quantum pilot programs, test2798demonstrations and proofs of concept within 24 months. Do you support2799added focus on near-term application development and deployment?2800    Answer. Our natural principal focus should be on research that2801rapidly develops commercially-available quantum technology. Preparing2802for deployment of American-developed quantum technology to customers2803should be part of the effort in order to ensure our Nation's continued2804technological lead.28052806    Question 4. I have also recently reintroduced my Advancing Quantum2807Manufacturing Act, which would establish a Manufacturing USA Institute2808for Quantum Manufacturing. In his first 100 days, President Trump has2809been focused on bringing American manufacturing back home. Technology2810is one of the keys to onshoring manufacturing--enabling faster, more2811efficient, and cheaper transitions. No technology has more promise in2812this area than quantum. When applied to manufacturing, quantum will2813increase energy efficiency, advance robotics, secure our2814communications, design stronger materials, and improve our supply chain2815logistics. So, can you elaborate on the need for quantum applications2816in manufacturing, and will you commit to working with me to establish a2817Manufacturing USA Institute for Quantum Manufacturing?2818    Answer. Quantum is one of the few technologies that will determine2819continued manufacturing success for our Nation and the quality of life2820for our citizens. I look forward to working with you on this important2821issue.28222823    Question 5. The Biden administration's NTIA BEAD program added2824partisan requirements to the program that went beyond the letter of the2825law and were never envisioned by Congress, including burdensome climate2826change mandates on infrastructure projects, mandates for unionized2827labor, and overhanded attempts to control broadband rates. We need to2828ramp up broadband deployment by cutting red tape--especially where2829infrastructure already exists--and letting contractors do what they do2830best. How will you work to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent2831efficiently, empowering states to partner with broadband providers to2832reach unserved and underserved communities without further delays?2833    Answer. It is unacceptable that the Broadband Equity, Access, and2834Deployment (BEAD) program has been bogged down by burdensome2835regulations. If confirmed, I will work with Secretary Lutnick and NTIA2836to expedite the BEAD program, get funding to the states, and expand2837broadband buildout, consistent with the law.28382839    Question 6. If confirmed as Deputy Secretary of Commerce, you will2840play a key role in managing U.S. spectrum policy. Will you commit to2841review currently held government spectrum and ensure it is used2842efficiently and put to its best use?2843    Answer. Yes.2844                                 ______28452846    Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Dan Sullivan to2847                              Paul Dabbar28482849Alaska Salmon Research Task Force Act2850    Salmon is a way of life in Alaska and a primary food source for2851many in the state. Fisheries closures and depressed stocks shake the2852foundation of our daily lives.2853    Luckily, you've got a basis to work on. My Alaska Salmon Research2854Task Force Act was signed into law in 2022 and had NOAA collaborate2855with salmon experts in Alaska to chart a path forward to research why2856we are seeing such variability in the abundance of salmon.2857    The report was released last summer with suggestions of discrete,2858meaningful research projects that we can undertake to get to the bottom2859of this issue.28602861    Question 1. Mr. Dabbar, can you commit to working with me to2862prioritize and build upon the work we have started to better understand2863why our salmon runs are decreasing in Alaska?2864    Answer. The significance of salmon to Alaska's way of life and food2865security is fully recognized, and understanding the causes behind2866declining runs is an important priority. The work initiated under the2867Alaska Salmon Research Task Force Act provides a strong platform, and2868the recommendations outlined in the report present clear opportunities2869for further research. I look forward to working with you to build on2870this foundation and advance efforts to better understand and address2871the issue.2872Consultation2873    Mr. Dabbar, the previous administration had a history of taking2874unilateral executive actions that affected our state--to my count 70--2875executive orders and actions that affected Alaska. On the vast majority2876of those, neither our Congressional delegation nor our state were2877consulted.28782879    Question 2. Can you commit to consulting with our office before2880your agency takes any action that would directly affect my state and my2881constituents?2882    Answer. Alaska contributes significantly to the Nation through its2883fisheries, minerals, energy resources, and unique ecosystems. Given2884this importance, it will be my priority to engage with your office to2885gain insight and perspective on actions that directly affect the state2886or its communities.2887Data and Technology2888    Data and technology are critical drivers of our Nation's economy,2889and I commend this administration for its focus on unleashing2890technology and innovation. As Alaskans know firsthand, nowhere is this2891more important than in our coasts and oceans.2892    During President Trump's first term he released the EO 13921,2893``Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic growth.''2894This EO highlights the need for improved data collection, including2895improved fisheries data and modernized data collection. The economic2896basis our fisheries rely on thorough and up-to-date survey data.2897However, NOAA and NMFS staff must be available, and contracts signed in2898a timely manner, in order for these surveys to happen on time. As of2899today, we are seeing serious uncertainty.29002901    Question 3. As Deputy Secretary of Commerce, will you commit to2902empowering NOAA to continue its important work in improved ocean and2903fisheries data collection, and accelerate the deployment of innovative2904marine technologies to enhance economic growth, maritime safety, and2905national security?2906    Answer. There is strong alignment between the goals of economic2907growth, maritime safety, and national security and the need for timely2908and accurate ocean and fisheries data. The role of data and technology2909in supporting America's coastal and ocean-based industries,2910particularly in regions like Alaska, is well recognized. If confirmed,2911I will work with NOAA to ensure that it continues its important work in2912this area.2913Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness2914    Over the last several years, the U.S. seafood industry has2915experienced significant economic hardship and drastic declines,2916primarily due to unfair and predatory practices from Russia and China.2917In addition, a strong NOAA and National Marine Fisheries Service--along2918with a dedicated, professional workforce--is critical to revamping the2919industry to further the goals of the President's EO 14276, Restoring2920American Seafood Competitiveness to help our fishermen. This EO2921provides a roadmap to restore the U.S. domestic fishing industry to2922greatness. To accomplish this, U.S. fishermen need robust fish surveys2923to inform accurate stock assessments; and timely promulgation of2924regulations to manage--and open--fisheries.2925    There is a concern that some of these important Alaska surveys will2926not happen this year. There is a reason these surveys take place, and2927we need to make sure that adequate personnel who conduct survey and2928regulatory work are available and funded not just this year, but in2929future years.29302931    Question 4. Will you commit to ensuring that NOAA personnel and2932funding is available at sufficient levels to support the needs of our2933hard-working fishermen and meet the demands of our President's mission2934to unleash Alaska's extraordinary resource potential and restore2935American seafood competitiveness?2936    Answer. The U.S. seafood industry, especially in Alaska, plays a2937vital role in the Nation's economy, and the impacts of unfair foreign2938practices have only underscored the need to strengthen our domestic2939capabilities. Executive Order 14276 lays out a clear path to restore2940American seafood competitiveness, and achieving that vision requires2941reliable fishery surveys, timely stock assessments, and responsive2942regulatory action. If confirmed, ensuring NOAA supports these critical2943activities will remain a priority to fully realize the potential of2944Alaska's resources.2945Program Funds, Grants, and Contracts Approvals2946    There are several programs, grants, and contracts that fall under2947the Department of Commerce's review that benefit the state of Alaska.2948These cover a vast number of topics supporting areas such as fisheries2949development, scientific research, and marine mammal rescue and2950stranding response. I understand that one such grant is held up has2951major implications in my state.2952    For example, a NOAA Prescott Grant has been submitted by the Alaska2953SeaLife Center, located in Seward, Alaska. The Alaska SeaLife Center is2954important not only as a public aquarium, but for its marine mammal2955research and care capabilities. It is also the number two private2956employer in Seward after the hospital. The SeaLife Center attracts a2957large volume of visitors due to cruise ships and other tourism2958opportunities that Seward receives. The grant funds provide the Center2959the necessary rescue, care and recovery of stranded marine mammals in2960Alaska. In fact, they are the only entity that has the authority and2961capability to carry out this work in the state. This grant has been2962reviewed and approved by NOAA but still awaits final approval by the2963Department of Commerce.29642965    Question 5. Mr. Dabbar, I ask that you commit to ensuring the2966disbursement of approved funds and approval of program grants finalized2967so these important entities can continue to support the economic growth2968and opportunities necessary for my state--both which meet the mission2969of the Department of Commerce?2970    Answer. The Alaska SeaLife Center clearly provides valuable2971contributions to marine research, wildlife response, and local economic2972development in Seward and the broader region. If confirmed, I commit to2973give all funding decisions the appropriate consideration in my role as2974Deputy Secretary.2975Russian Seafood Reciprocity2976    Russia has banned U.S. seafood from its markets since 2014.2977However, for many years, Russia was not subject to any special import2978duties in the U.S. Meanwhile, Russia has drastically increased seafood2979production since 2022 and is openly working to flood both U.S. and2980global markets with cheap seafood to push out U.S. product.2981    All the while, our hardworking fishermen could not export a single2982fish to Russia. For nearly 10 years, we allowed them to do this until I2983was finally successful in getting the previous Administration to issue2984a couple of executive orders to put a stop to this and restore2985reciprocity. If we can't enter the Russian market, they shouldn't be2986able to flood ours.2987    EO 14068 in 2022 banned imports of Russian seafood. However, Russia2988laundered their seafood through China to circumvent the ban. EO 141142989in 2023 closed this loophole and made it abundantly clear than any2990seafood harvested in Russia is banned from import into the U.S.--even2991if it goes through processing in another country.2992    Russia is our biggest competitor in a lot of the seafood market,2993and just like China, they don't play fair. We are finally beginning to2994see this ban have effects on the market. American importers are2995beginning to buy Alaskan ``Freedom Fish'' instead of Russian2996``Communist Fish'' and prices are beginning to stabilize for our2997fishermen.2998    This is about fair trade and reciprocity--not the war in Ukraine.29993000    Question 6. Mr. Dabbar, will you commit to keeping these reciprocal3001executive orders--EO 14068 and EO 14114--in place? They are critical to3002keeping our seafood trade fair.3003    Answer. Russia's longstanding refusal to allow U.S. seafood into3004its markets, while expanding access to ours, has harmed American3005fishermen, especially in Alaska where seafood is vital to the economy.3006Executive Orders 14068 and 14114 were important steps to restore fair3007trade by banning Russian seafood imports and closing transshipment3008loopholes. These actions are showing positive effects, stabilizing3009markets and supporting U.S. producers. Ensuring fair and reciprocal3010trade remains a key priority of this Administration.3011AK LNG3012    The Alaska LNG [liquefied natural gas] Project, a proposed 800-mile3013natural gas pipeline to transport natural gas from the Alaska North3014Slope to the Kenai Peninsula for the purposes of in-state energy3015security and the export of LNG to our Asian allies, with an export3016capacity of 20 million metric tons of gas per year, is a priority of3017the President of the United States.3018    Executive Order 14153 entitled ``Unleashing Alaska's Extraordinary3019Resource Potential'' states in section 2 that, ``it is the policy of3020the United States to . . . prioritize the development of Alaska's3021liquefied natural gas (LNG) potential, including the sale and3022transportation of Alaskan LNG to other regions of the United States and3023allied nations within the Pacific region.''3024    Section 3(ii)(a) of President Trump's Executive Order 141533025entitled ``Unleashing Alaska's Extraordinary Resource Potential''3026directs ``The heads of all executive departments and agencies,3027including but not limited to the Secretary of the Interior; the3028Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Under Secretary of Commerce3029for Oceans and Atmosphere; and the Secretary of the Army acting through3030the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Public Works, shall exercise3031all lawful authority and discretion available to them and take all3032necessary steps to (ii) prioritize the development of Alaska's LNG3033potential, including the permitting of all necessary pipeline and3034export infrastructure related to the Alaska LNG Project, giving due3035consideration to the economic and national security benefits associated3036with such development.''3037    Additionally, in President Trump's March 4, 2025, Address to a3038Joint Session of Congress, he mentioned Japanese and Korean interest3039surrounding an investment into the project.3040    Furthermore, Section 3(f) of Executive Order 141453 states ``The3041Secretary of Commerce, in coordination with the Secretary of the3042Interior, shall immediately review, revise or rescind any agency action3043that may in any way hinder, slow or otherwise delay any critical3044project in the State of Alaska.''30453046    Question 7. Mr. Dabbar, can you commit to using your role as Deputy3047Secretary of Commerce to implement the President's executive orders on3048Alaskan energy?3049    Answer. Yes.3050China Phase One Agreement3051    We all know that China lies and does not follow through on its3052promises--what I refer to as promise fatigue. During President Trump's3053first term, I worked closely with him and his team on the first phase3054of the Economic and Trade Agreement Between the United States of3055American and the People's Republic of China. Under that agreement,3056China was supposed to double its purchases of American seafood over 43057years, moving from about an $800 million baseline in 2017 and amounting3058to about $400 million annually.3059    For the first two years after the agreement, China's purchases3060actually decreased. Four years later, their purchases are still about30617.8 percent below pre-COVID levels. This latest lie from the Chinese3062government is dramatically hurting our hardworking American fishermen.30633064    Question 8. Mr. Dabbar, if you end up reengaging with China on this3065issue, will you commit to bringing this up and pushing to hold the3066Chinese to their end of the agreement?3067    Answer. Upon confirmation, I will work with the Secretary and3068others to ensure the Department takes a holistic approach in addressing3069the U.S.-China trading relationship, including consideration of past3070practices and behaviors by the Chinese government. I will work3071diligently to ensure our trading partners fully comply with all terms3072of our agreements.3073Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD)--Discard Extraneous3074        Requirements3075    In October, NTIA announced that Alaska will be obligated over $13076billion. I know you are aware of the criticisms that have been made3077that the Biden Administration layered on requirements that are beyond3078the IIJA law in the BEAD NOFO.30793080    Question 9. Will you commit to remove the Biden-era extraneous3081regulations as you review the BEAD program, and do so quickly as time3082is money for applicants?3083    Answer. Yes.3084BEAD--Empower the State3085    The BEAD program's success depends on allowing states to lead.3086Alaska knows best where broadband is lacking and understands the3087challenges presented by our low population density, extreme weather,3088and difficult terrain. Federal requirements should not impose one-size-3089fits-all solutions but instead empower states to design deployment3090strategies that work for their specific circumstances.30913092    Question 10. Will you commit to me that NTIA will defer to states3093in making choices that they believe will deliver the best possible3094broadband for their consumers and communities given the amount of3095funding they have?3096    Answer. Yes.3097BEAD Technology Neutral and Needs3098    The unique challenges due to our vast, remote, and rugged terrain3099make technology neutrality truly critical to serving Alaskans. We need3100a combination of technologies to be available, including fiber, fixed3101wireless, and satellite. Notably, Alaska lacks middle mile fiber, and3102these projects play a critical role bridging the gap between core3103Internet networks and local communities. Given Alaska's vast and remote3104geography, reliable middle mile infrastructure is essential to3105connecting underserved and unserved areas and for supporting3106healthcare, education, and economic development. By addressing the3107unique challenges of Alaska terrain, middle mile fiber ensures Internet3108access for generations to come. If a one-sized-fits-all per location3109cap is put in place for fiber for projects in Alaska, it is hard to3110imagine how any projects will be built for my constituents.31113112    Question 11. Will you commit to working with me to ensure that3113resources are allocated in a manner that takes into consideration the3114needs of Alaskans?3115    Answer. Yes.3116                                 ______31173118   Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Maria Cantwell to3119                              Paul Dabbar31203121Secretary Lutnick's stewardship of the Department of Commerce (DOC,3122        Department, Commerce)3123    As I mentioned in my opening statement, the Commerce Department has3124been in a state of chaos and disruption since Secretary Lutnick's3125confirmation. Not only is the Secretary failing to honor commitments he3126made to this Committee; I believe he is also failing to focus on the3127Department's core mission and workforce.3128    According to recent press reports, Secretary Lutnick is spending3129much of his time these days at the White House--not the Commerce3130Department. And by all accounts, he is focused primarily on playing3131defense for the Administration's disastrous tariffs agenda--not on the3132Department's essential programs.3133    If confirmed as the Deputy Secretary, it would be our expectation3134that you would come in and help right this ship swiftly.31353136    Question 1. Yes or no: If confirmed, will you commit to spend the3137majority of your time at the Commerce Department working on the3138programs and policies that fall squarely in its remit?3139    Answer. I look forward to working with Secretary Lutnick in support3140of his and the Administration's tireless efforts to create the3141conditions for economic growth and opportunity for all Americans.31423143    Question 2. Yes or no: Will you honor the commitments you make to3144Congress?3145    Answer. Yes.3146Dismantling the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)3147    Under Secretary Lutnick's leadership, the MBDA--a 56-year-old3148agency that Congress permanently authorized in 2021 with bipartisan3149legislation--has been dismantled. During his confirmation hearing,3150Secretary Lutnick told our Committee that he did not support3151dismantling the MBDA. But, within months of taking office, Secretary3152Lutnick's Department has gutted the MBDA. And now, the Trump3153Administration's FY 2026 budget proposal acknowledges that the3154Department has ``fully eliminated'' the agency unilaterally.3155    I, along with multiple colleagues on the Committee, have sent two3156letters to Secretary Lutnick seeking information about his dismantling3157of the MBDA. In response, the Department sent a woefully inadequate3158letter that failed to address any of our concerns. On April 30, we sent3159another letter to the Department, this time to the acting3160Undersecretary for MBDA, demanding answers and accountability.31613162    Question 1. Yes or No: Do you agree that funds Congress3163appropriated for MBDA's statutory mission must be used for that3164purpose? If not, explain.3165    Answer. If granted the privilege of confirmation, I will promptly3166look into this matter.31673168    Question 2. Yes or No: If confirmed, will you commit to tracing the3169money Congress appropriated to the MBDA and reporting back to this3170Committee on the status of those funds within 30 days? If not, explain.3171    Answer. If confirmed, I will look into this matter.31723173    Question 3. If confirmed, will you examine the precise role held at3174the Commerce Department by Nate Cavanaugh, who is reportedly a member3175of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and3176promptly provide the Committee a complete description of any such role,3177including an explanation for why Mr. Cavanaugh signed grant termination3178notices on behalf of the MBDA?3179    Answer. If confirmed, I will look into this matter.31803181    Question 4. If confirmed, will you commit to promptly providing3182this Committee the appropriate paperwork reflecting Labor Department3183Deputy Secretary Keith Sonderling's appointment as the acting3184Undersecretary for MBDA?3185    Answer. If confirmed, I will look into this matter.31863187    Question 5. Yes or No: You told my staff you respect congressional3188authorizations, appropriations, and oversight. Do you support the Trump3189Administration's full elimination of an agency that Congress3190statutorily authorized and appropriated funds to operate?3191    Answer. If confirmed, I will review and execute on this program as3192required by law.31933194    Question 6. Yes or No: If confirmed, will you commit to fully3195responding to my letters and requests on this topic? If no, explain.3196    Answer. Yes. If confirmed, I will be responsive to the Committee.3197Tariffs3198    Senator Grassley and I recently introduced the Trade Review Act of31992025, a bill that would reassert Congress's constitutional control over3200tariffs. As we've seen, President Trump has vastly exceeded his legal3201tariff authority and ushered in economic chaos. This bill would require3202Congressional approval for tariffs and help dial back Trump's3203unilateral trade war.3204    Meanwhile, the Trump Administration's start-and-stop approach to3205tariffs is giving American families and business economic whiplash as3206we seem to be stumbling into a trade war with no clear end game.32073208    Question 1. Do you agree that Congress has constitutional authority3209over trade policy, including tariffs?3210    Answer. If confirmed, I look forward to working with Congress,3211including on potential legislation, on efforts to help combat decades3212of unfair trade practices that have harmed American workers,3213manufacturers, and critical supply chains.32143215    Question 2. If confirmed, do you expect to play a significant role3216in formulating the Administration's tariffs policies?3217    Answer. If confirmed, I would work to support Secretary Lutnick,3218Under Secretary Kessler, and Ambassador Greer in formulating the3219Administration's tariff policies.32203221    Question 3. Are you aware of whether the Administration intends to3222use tariffs primarily as a revenue generating tool or for leverage as a3223negotiating tool? If yes, please detail your basis for this3224understanding.3225    Answer. The Administration has made clear that tariffs imposed by3226President Trump serve multiple strategic purposes, including protecting3227our national and economic security, combatting large and persistent3228trade deficits that have harmed American workers, businesses and3229communities, and supporting negotiations for more fair and reciprocal3230trade agreements.32313232    Question 4. How do you plan to assess the impact of current and3233proposed tariffs on working-and middle-class Americans, especially with3234respect to essential goods?3235    Answer. If confirmed, I will work to ensure that Americans are able3236to continue to access all of the essential goods they rely on a daily3237basis and ensure that critical supply chains are not disrupted by an3238overreliance on foreign manufacturers not subject to American standards3239of production.32403241    Question 5. Even Secretary Lutnick has acknowledged that tariffs3242will cause prices to increase for consumers. Given that, do you think3243retailers should be required to disclose the portion of their list3244prices reflecting the additional cost from tariffs?3245    Answer. No.3246Secretary Lutnick's Statements regarding Elon Musk and Tesla3247    Mr. Dabbar, serious concerns have been raised regarding Secretary3248Lutnick's compliance with Federal ethics laws. On March 19, 2025,3249Secretary Lutnick went on national television and urged Americans to3250``buy Tesla'' stock and said anyone who doesn't buy a Tesla robot ``is3251going to be silly.''3252    As I'm sure you know from your prior Federal service, Federal3253ethics rules generally prohibit Federal officials from using their3254public office to endorse any product or service.32553256    Question 1. Yes or no: If confirmed, will you pledge not to3257publicly call for Americans to buy stock in any of Elon Musk's3258companies? If not, why not?3259    Answer. If confirmed, I will abide by all Federal ethics laws and3260regulations.32613262    Question 2. Yes or no: Will you commit to fully complying with all3263Federal ethics rules?3264    Answer. Yes.3265Dismantling the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)3266    The Trump Administration is pursuing an FY 2026 budget proposal3267that would reduce NOAA's budget by at least 25 percent, eliminate3268Congressionally mandated programs, and transfer part of the National3269Marine Fisheries Service to the Interior Department.3270    During his confirmation hearing, Secretary Lutnick told me that he3271has, ``no interest in separating'' NOAA and that breaking up NOAA, ``is3272not on my agenda.'' Yet, that is exactly what the Administration is3273trying to do.32743275    Question 1. Do you support any function, mission, or3276congressionally authorized or appropriated work within NOAA, or3277executed by NOAA, being moved out of the NOAA or the Department of3278Commerce? If so, please describe.3279    Answer. NOAA's core mission is to protect life and property and in3280pursuit of that, NOAA plays a vital and unique role in advancing3281science, stewardship, and services that benefit the American people.3282That is what NOAA is currently doing and what it will continue to do3283during the Trump Administration.32843285    Question 2. Have you discussed any plan to do so with Secretary3286Lutnick? If yes, specify the date(s) of these conversations and3287describe the contents of any such conversation.3288    Answer. No.3289National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) at the Department of the3290        Interior3291    Moving the protected resources, including endangered and threatened3292fisheries, to the Department of the Interior would separate scientists3293from the fishery managers for species like salmon. We have the best3294managed fisheries in the world because of science. It would also create3295substantial additional layers of red tape because the Secretary of3296Commerce is required to execute many functions, including regulatory3297functions, under law.32983299    Question 1. Do you support moving the National Marine Fisheries3300Service, Office of Protected Resources, or any of their activities and3301functions out of NOAA? If yes, explain why.3302    Answer. Every decision made throughout the next four years will be3303made to best serve the American people and will only be acted upon if3304and when it is appropriate. Ensuring that regulatory responsibilities3305are fulfilled without unnecessary duplication or delay remains an3306important guiding principle of this Administration.3307Eliminating the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research3308    You told me that you are proud of your leadership on research and3309development (R&D) at the Department of Energy (DOE). The Trump3310Administration's FY 2026 budget proposal terminates $1.311 billion in3311climate research, data, and grant programs which would functionally3312eliminate NOAA's R&D program, known as the Office of Oceanic and3313Atmospheric Research (OAR). This R&D includes enhancing predictive3314models for emergency management and improving forecasts and early3315warnings for natural disasters. Recent OAR efforts have improved NOAA's3316hurricane track forecasting by 8 percent in a single year, helping to3317save lives as well as prevent unnecessary evacuations and disruptions3318to the American economy.33193320    Question 1. Yes or No: Do you support eliminating OAR? If yes,3321explain why.3322    Answer. Ensuring that core scientific functions, particularly those3323that support public safety, economic resilience, and operational3324readiness remain effective is a responsibility shared across NOAA3325leadership and the broader department.33263327    Question 2. Do you support the work of NOAA's Cooperative3328Institutes?3329    Answer. As with all programs, continued alignment with national3330priorities, scientific standards, and available resources remains3331essential. Engagement with external research institutions, including3332Cooperative Institutes, has historically contributed to NOAA's ability3333to deliver accurate forecasts, support resource management, and respond3334to evolving changes.33353336    Question 3. Do you support the work of the NOAA Research3337Laboratories?3338    Answer. NOAA's Research Laboratories often serve as the bridge3339between fundamental research and operational capability, helping to3340ensure that scientific achievements are translated into real world3341benefits. They should continue to produce results that align with3342NOAA's mission.3343NOAA Workforce3344    On February 19, 2025, I sent a letter to Secretary Lutnick urging3345him to protect NOAA's critical workforce from the Trump3346Administration's reduction-in-force initiatives and hiring freeze,3347which would jeopardize the safety of the American public. Despite this3348warning, on February 27, 2025, the Department fired approximately 6503349probationary employees from NOAA.3350    In addition to probationary employees, roughly 900 employees took3351the deferred resignation offer in the so-called ``Fork in the Road'' e-3352mail, while another 1,000 employees are planning to leave through3353voluntary early retirement and separation. These roughly 2,5003354employees do not include cuts from the additional RIF initiative that3355the Administration is planning to implement in the coming weeks or the3356potential reclassification of thousands of NOAA employees as ``Schedule3357F/Schedule/Policy Career'' which would make them easier to terminate.3358    These staffing shortages are already impacting NOAA's core3359functions, including reduced and suspended weather balloon launches at3360many Weather Forecast Offices, reduced forecasts, and at least 103361Weather Forecast Offices with insufficient staff to remain open 243362hours a day. NOAA fisheries managers are not attending fishery3363management meetings and may miss stock assessment cruises. And with the3364hiring freeze, there are not enough credentialed mariners to sail up to3365one third of NOAA's research fleet.3366    Underscoring this point, today, May 2nd, every living former3367Director of the National Weather Service came together in an open3368letter to the American people to sound the alarm about these staffing3369shortages and the direct threat to public safety. The Directors ``stand3370united against the loss of staff and resources at NWS and are deeply3371concerned about NOAA as a whole. . .[Their] worst nightmare is that3372weather forecast offices will be so understaffed that there will be3373needless loss of life.''33743375    Question 1. What will you do to protect NOAA's workforce and ensure3376staff capacity to execute NOAA's core missions?3377    Answer. Workforce management decisions, including hiring policies3378and staffing levels, are shaped by a combination of statutory3379requirements, Executive Branch directives, and agency-specific mission3380needs. If confirmed, I will work with NOAA to evaluate impacts from any3381staffing shortages in the context of operational continuity, public3382safety, and science.33833384    Question 2. What will you do to ensure NOAA has the staff capacity3385for permitting, consultation, and other review activities critical for3386construction of roads, bridges, ports, and other priorities of the3387Administration?3388    Answer. NOAA's review and consultation responsibilities under3389statutes, such as the Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection3390Act, and the Magnuson-Stevens Act play an important role in supporting3391the advancement of infrastructure and development projects while3392ensuring environmental compliance. If confirmed, I will work to ensure3393that NOAA is able to meet these obligations.33943395    Question 3. What will you do to ensure the National Weather Service3396has sufficient staff for all Weather Forecast Offices and to provide3397Americans with accurate and timely weather warnings?3398    Answer. I will work to ensure the National Weather Service remains3399able to deliver timely, accurate forecasts. NOAA's top priority is3400maintaining essential services and protecting the American public.34013402    Question 4. Will you ensure NOAA is adequately staffed so that3403Tribes are able to access meaningful government-to-government3404consultation and technical assistance on NOAA programs, including3405grants?3406    Answer. I am fully committed to supporting meaningful government-3407to-government consultation and ensuring Tribes have access to the3408technical assistance they need across NOAA programs.34093410    Question 5. Executive Order 14170 implements a Federal hiring3411freeze until July 15, 2025, but it allows for exclusions for positions3412related to public safety. Will you pursue an exemption to the hiring3413freeze under for any NOAA positions related to public safety? If so,3414which positions?3415    Answer. If confirmed, ensuring continuity of public safety3416activities at NOAA will be one of my priorities.3417NOAA Contracts3418    I understand that all NOAA contracts and grants greater than $100k3419require Secretary Lutnick's personal approval. There are hundreds of3420contracts and grants that meet that threshold.3421    As you can imagine, this has resulted in a significant bottleneck,3422causing critical contracts to terminate, lapse, or be signed mere hours3423before they expire. For example, contracts for both the operations of3424weather satellites and the software that forecasters use to access3425weather data were hours away from expiring, which would have3426jeopardized NOAA's ability to issue extreme weather warnings.3427Additionally, the contract for the R/V Oscar Dyson's midlife repair is3428at risk of expiring, and the Dyson is critical for the Alaskan Pollock3429industry's stock assessments that are used to establish catch limits.3430    If confirmed, you will be responsible for the day-to-day operations3431of the Department. I understand you told my staff that you would end3432this new burdensome approval requirement if given the chance.34333434    Question 1. Will you end this practice?3435    Answer. The Administration is committed to cost efficiency and3436ending wasteful government spending. Having worked extensively on3437contracts and grants in previous government roles, I understand3438firsthand how essential it is to keep these processes moving3439efficiently to support mission-critical operations, stay on budget, and3440deliver results for the American people.34413442    Question 2. What will you do to ensure DOC contracts are reviewed3443in a timely and efficient manner without inadvertent lapses?3444    Answer. If confirmed, I will support Secretary Lutnick in his3445efforts to ensure taxpayers receive the benefit of the bargain. I will3446look into existing processes and collaborate with the relevant3447stakeholders within the Department.3448Fisheries3449    According to the latest statistics from 2022, U.S. commercial and3450recreational fisheries generated $321 billion in sales, 2.3 million3451jobs, and $149.8 billion in value-added to the U.S. economy. Commercial3452fisheries landings alone were valued at $5.9 billion, and recreational3453fishermen took 201 million fishing trips that year. Communities across3454the country rely on these fisheries and the benefits they provide. They3455also rely on NOAA Fisheries providing world class science and3456management to support this fishing activity.34573458    Question 1. Will you commit to investing effort and resources into3459improving fishery data systems, navigating climate change, and other3460pressures on fisheries?3461    Answer. The figures cited reflect the significant economic value of3462NOAA's fisheries and any future decisions regarding investments,3463priorities, or organizational efforts will be guided by NOAA's core3464mission. If confirmed, I will work with my colleagues in the Department3465to ensure the American fishing industry continues to strengthen and3466grow.34673468    Question 2. Will you commit to ensuring stock assessment surveys3469are completed?3470    Answer. Stock assessment surveys are foundational to effective3471fisheries management, and there is broad agreement on their value to3472the economic and ecological health of U.S. fisheries. Maintaining and3473improving these assessments remains a priority across the scientific3474and stakeholder communities.3475Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund (PCSRF)3476    PCSRF provides critical funding to facilitate the recovery of3477Pacific salmon and steelhead and the commercial, recreational, and3478tribal fisheries that rely on them. The leaked FY 2026 Passback would3479eliminate funding for this program, which has restored salmon access to3480over 12,000 miles of streams and leveraged $2.2 billion in non-PCSRF3481contributions.34823483    Question 1. Do you commit to protecting the PCSRF program and to3484distributing FY 2025 PCSRF funds?3485    Answer. The Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund has been an3486important source of support for salmon recovery efforts and the3487communities that rely on these fisheries. I understand the strong3488interest in the program and the significant outcomes it has helped3489achieve.3490CHIPS Research and Development3491    In addition to the CHIPS Incentives Program, CHIPS and Science also3492created several programs at NIST--funded by an $11 billion3493appropriation--to ensure U.S. leadership in semiconductor research and3494development, and to develop the workforce required to domestically3495manufacture legacy, advanced, and next-generation semiconductors for3496years to come.34973498    Given that R&D and workforce development are vital to our long term3499competitiveness in lab to market microelectronics innovation, will you3500commit to maintaining the staff and budget at NIST that is needed to3501ensure the success of CHIPS R&D programs? If not, why not?3502    Answer. The Department plays a key role in advancing the Nation's3503technological competitiveness in everything from semiconductors to AI,3504to increasing the availability of spectrum. If confirmed, I will work3505to ensure that America leads in these key areas.3506Economic Development Administration (EDA)/Tech Hubs3507    The Economic Development Administration (EDA) is charged with3508investing in local communities to encourage and enable growth and3509innovation in the private sector, with a particular focus on distressed3510or underserved areas. One of the investments currently managed by EDA3511is the Tech Hubs program, established by the CHIPS and Science Act,3512which represents a historic opportunity to strengthen American3513technological leadership and create thousands of high-paying jobs3514across the country. The Fiscal Year 2026 President's Budget Request3515proposes eliminating EDA; however, it does not comment on the Tech Hubs3516program.35173518    Question 1. Do you agree with eliminating EDA?3519    Answer. I support President Donald J. Trump and look forward to3520implementing his agenda.35213522    Question 2. If so, how will you and the Administration meet the3523Congressional intent of the Chips and Science Act to administer a Tech3524Hubs program that is vital to economic and national security and has3525already awarded grants to 18 of 31 designated regional tech hubs?3526    Answer. The Department of Commerce has a strong track record of3527supporting innovation. If confirmed, I will examine each program to3528ensure that it is providing taxpayers the benefit of the bargain.35293530    Question 3. I was able to secure an additional $220 million in3531immediate funding for this program through the NDAA, with the potential3532for $280 million more to come from a future spectrum auction. Mr.3533Dabbar, will you commit to ensuring that this $280 million is preserved3534specifically for the Tech Hubs program as Congress intended? If not,3535why not?3536    Answer. The Department of Commerce has a strong track record of3537supporting innovation. If confirmed, I will examine each program to3538ensure that it is providing taxpayers the benefit of the bargain.3539Quantum3540    The global race for leadership in critical and emerging3541technologies--especially in quantum computing--is intensifying. Our3542competitors are pouring in billions of dollars to get there first. This3543year, Microsoft announced the development of a new quantum processor,3544which could be the transistor of the quantum age.3545    When you were the DOE Undersecretary for Science, you led the3546implementation of the National Quantum Initiative Act and helped create35475 DOE quantum centers. Last December, I, along with Senators Young,3548Durbin, and Daines, introduced the National Quantum Initiative3549Reauthorization Act. I plan on reintroducing this bill again this3550Congress.35513552    Question 1. Mr. Dabbar, do you support the National Quantum3553Initiative Reauthorization Act?3554    Answer. President Trump recently wrote in support of his National3555Quantum Initiative to the Director of OSTP. I support the continued3556emphasis on promoting and funding quantum research and technologies,3557including the practical application of quantum technologies, as3558embraced in this legislation. If confirmed, I will work to ensure that3559the Department of Commerce and NIST continue to prioritize quantum3560research and development.35613562    Question 2. If confirmed, will you commit to working with me and my3563staff to advance it?3564    Answer. If confirmed, I will work with Congress to prioritize3565quantum research and technology implementation.3566National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and AI3567    The Commerce Department plays a prominent role in advancing3568critical and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence,3569quantum, advanced manufacturing, and biotechnology through investing in3570fundamental R&D at agencies like NIST, NTIA, and NOAA. Last year, I3571introduced the Future of AI Innovation Act with Senator Young and some3572of my other colleagues that would ensure that the U.S. leads on AI3573reliability and transparency, as well as mitigating potential national3574security risks from AI, by authorizing the AI Safety Institute at NIST.35753576    Question 1. Will you support continued focus by NIST on promotion3577of AI standards and developing testing for AI reliability and safety?3578    Answer. Secretary Lutnick has stated that NIST should ensure3579American leadership on AI standards. He further stated that NIST will3580continue its testing of AI products. If confirmed, I look forward to3581supporting these activities.35823583    Question 2. Will you work with me, Senator Young, and Chair Cruz as3584we consider legislation to authorize the work that needs to continue to3585be done in this area?3586    Answer. If confirmed, yes, I commit to working with Congress to3587ensure U.S. leadership in this area.3588Funding Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Centers3589    The MEP program at NIST connects small and medium-sized3590manufacturers with resources to improve their manufacturing processes,3591adopt the latest cybersecurity practices, and strengthen their supply3592chains.3593    Each state and Puerto Rico have their own MEP Center, and they are3594the gold standard of public-private partnerships.3595    I was alarmed to see NIST announce on April 1 they were withholding3596funds for ten of the 51 centers, including in Delaware, Hawaii, Kansas,3597Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, and Wyoming. I led a letter with3598Senator Baldwin and 13 other Senators, demanding a full explanation3599from Secretary Lutnick and asking him to reconsider.3600    Fortunately, after we sent our letter, we were notified that NIST3601decided to renew funding for those 10 centers through the end of the3602Fiscal Year. However, there are still upcoming funding renewal3603deadlines for MEP Centers coming up on July 1, October 1, January 1,36042026, and March 12, 2026, and the Department's intentions remain3605unclear.36063607    Question 1. Do you commit to supporting and fully funding the MEP3608program and its centers, which are both statutorily authorized as well3609as appropriated by Congress? If no, why not?3610    Answer. As stated during the hearing, if confirmed, I will follow3611the law as authorized and appropriated by Congress. The Secretary and3612this administration are strongly committed to supporting U.S.3613manufacturing, reducing reliance on foreign manufacturing, and creating3614American jobs, all of which are essential to ensuring the long-term3615strength of American economic and national security.3616American Aerospace Manufacturing Competitiveness3617    The United States aerospace and defense sector has the largest3618positive trade balance among all U.S. manufacturing sectors, valued at3619over $110 billion, and supports over 2.2 million good paying jobs.3620China's aircraft manufacturer, COMAC, is a growing threat to United3621States' market share of commercial aircraft in the global aerospace3622sector. COMAC's narrowbody C919 aircraft competes with the 737 series3623aircraft, produced by Boeing, our leading domestic aircraft3624manufacturer. Boeing has experienced significant challenges in recent3625years including concerning aircraft production safety and quality3626issues that must be corrected before production of the 737 MAX can be3627allowed to increase beyond the cap of 38 per month instituted by former3628FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker. This will take time and so will3629Boeing's overall recovery efforts as a company to improve many of their3630product lines.3631    Boeing has estimated that Chinese airlines will need 8,830 new3632total commercial planes by 2043. However, if the current Administration3633were to issue broad retaliatory tariffs against China without3634considering the impact that they could have against Boeing's ability to3635sell aircraft in the Asian-Pacific market, Boeing and the greater3636domestic aerospace supply chain would be at risk of losing its3637competitive standing in the global aerospace sector. Such tariffs could3638have harmful impacts on U.S.-based aerospace supply chain companies and3639jobs.36403641    Question 1. Do you commit to ensuring that the U.S. aerospace3642manufacturing sector and supply chain are not subject to new costs and3643burdens associated with tariffs, restrictions, or economic sanctions?3644    Answer. If confirmed, I will work to ensure that our trade policies3645are implemented in a manner that supports fair competition,3646transparency, and the economic and national security of the United3647Sates, including for our aerospace manufacturing sector.36483649    What actions will you take to protect our domestic aerospace supply3650chain and its highly-skilled American workers from new disruptions--3651such as issues that would jeopardize U.S.-based jobs and increase costs3652for U.S.-based companies?3653    Answer. If confirmed, I would be happy to work with Congress to3654help protect American jobs.3655Office of Space Commerce3656    The Office of Space Commerce (OSC), currently within NOAA, serves3657as the principal unit in the Executive Branch for representing3658commercial space interests in policy deliberations, and also regulates3659the satellite-based commercial remote sensing industry. As a result of3660Presidential Policy established in the first Trump Administration, the3661Office of Space Commerce (OSC), is also developing the Traffic3662Coordination System for Space (TraCSS) to provide basic space3663situational awareness (SSA) data, space traffic coordination (STC), and3664services to civil and private space operators and to support3665spaceflight safety, space sustainability, and international3666coordination.3667    OSC still requires additional authorities to carry out its mission3668to ensure safety in orbit, and the SAFE Orbit Act, sponsored by3669Senators Cornyn, Peters, Wicker, Blackburn, Hickenlooper, Kelly,3670Schmitt, and Lujan, was approved by the Committee on March 12, 2025,3671with an amendment from Ranking Member Cantwell. The bill provides SSA3672and STC authorities to OSC and establishes a five-year transition3673period to move the office from within NOAA to a bureau reporting3674directly to the Secretary.3675    However, it is not clear if the Administration is following through3676with the resources needed to enable OSC to fulfill either its3677longstanding or expanded responsibilities. Although not addressed in3678the President's FY26 Discretionary Funding Request released on May 2nd,3679the earlier FY26 OMB passback for NOAA proposed providing the office3680with only $10 million--a reduction of $55 million from the enacted FY243681funding level. The proposed budget would also eliminate TraCSS system3682development, in favor of transferring existing TraCSS capability to a3683non-government entity.36843685    Question 1. Given that TraCSS development already involves3686significant partnership with industry and when completed, will provide3687government validation of commercially-provided SSA data, do you believe3688it is appropriate to transfer responsibility for SSA, which underpins3689the safety of the entire space economy, to a non-government entity?3690    Answer. If confirmed, I will work to support the safety,3691sustainability, and continued growth of the commercial space sector.36923693    Question 2. Will you commit to maintaining the OSC staff and budget3694at a level that is sufficient to carry out the offices current3695commercial advocacy and commercial industry oversight responsibilities,3696while also enabling the completion of TraCSS and support to SSA and STC3697standard setting?3698    Answer. If confirmed, I will work to support the safety,3699sustainability, and continued growth of the commercial space sector.37003701    Question 3. Do you believe that elevating the Office of Space3702Commerce within DOC would allow the office to be more effective at3703supporting the global competitiveness of the U.S. commercial space3704industry?3705    Answer. If confirmed, I will work to support the safety,3706sustainability, and continued growth of the commercial space sector.3707Spectrum3708    During the first Trump Administration, there were failures to3709coordinate on Federal and commercial spectrum policy. I believe we must3710create a coordinated approach to domestic spectrum policy, where3711agencies such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department3712of Transportation (DOT), Department of Defense (DoD), and National3713Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) work together with the3714National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and3715Federal Communications Commission (FCC)--cooperatively--on spectrum. If3716confirmed, Mr. Dabbar, as Deputy Secretary of Commerce, you will play a3717vital role in that coordination process.37183719    Question 1. Yes or no: Do you agree that we cannot put our national3720security and public safety at risk in order to free up spectrum?3721    Answer. Yes.37223723    Question 2. Yes or no: Do you agree that NTIA, DoD, and other3724Federal agencies must complete the ongoing studies of the lower 33725Gigahertz and 7 and 8 Gigahertz bands before a decision is made to3726reallocate that spectrum?3727    Answer. Yes.37283729    Question 3. Yes or no: Do you agree that spectrum cannot be made3730available for commercial use in a way that interferes with aviation3731safety?3732    Answer. Yes.37333734    Question 4. Yes or no: Do you agree that spectrum cannot be made3735available for commercial use in a way that interferes with NOAA's3736ability to predict and forecast weather?3737    Answer. Yes.37383739    Question 5. Yes or no: Do you agree that spectrum cannot be made3740available for commercial use in a way that interferes with the3741functionality of the GPS system?3742    Answer. Yes.37433744    Question 6. Yes or no: Do you agree that spectrum cannot be made3745available for commercial use in a way that interferes with the3746functionality of airplane altimeters?3747    Answer. Yes.37483749    Question 7. Yes or no: Do you agree that spectrum cannot be made3750available for commercial use in a way that interferes with the3751functionality of military satellite communications and sensing systems?3752    Answer. If confirmed, I would work with Secretary Lutnick and NTIA3753to protect national security and public safety in any spectrum3754decisions.3755Infrastructure and BEAD Allocations3756    The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) of37572021 appropriated $42 billion for the BEAD program, $1.2 billion of3758which was allocated to the State of Washington to connect households to3759broadband. The commitment that Congress made to reach the goal of3760connecting unserved and underserved households is well underway, with3761plans in all 56 states and territories approved by NTIA, in compliance3762with the law.37633764    Question 1. Do you agree that states need the flexibility to3765implement the BEAD program, and ensure that it works for the people in3766each state and territory-and that what works in Rhode Island may not3767work in Texas?3768    Answer. Every state is different and there is no one-size-fits-all3769solution. States should have flexibility to tailor solutions to their3770unique needs, consistent with the law.37713772    Question 2. Yes or no: Will you commit to providing states with the3773flexibility to use their BEAD funds to select the providers and3774technologies that work best for their unique circumstances, rather than3775imposing new burdensome requirements such as forcing states to redo3776their subgrantee selection process or establishing a national per3777location cap?3778    Answer. Connecting every American to broadband is my top priority.3779If confirmed, I look forward to working with Secretary Lutnick and NTIA3780to expedite the BEAD program and get funding to the states, consistent3781with the law.37823783    Question 3. Yes or no: If confirmed, will you commit to releasing3784all allocated funds to the states that have already had their final3785proposals approved? If not, why not?3786    Answer. Connecting every American to broadband is my top priority.3787If confirmed, I look forward to working with Secretary Lutnick and NTIA3788to expedite the BEAD program and get funding to the states, consistent3789with the law.37903791    Question 4. Yes or no: Will you commit to preserve the BEAD3792allocations that NTIA made to states in 2023?3793    Answer. Connecting every American to broadband is my top priority.3794If confirmed, I look forward to working with Secretary Lutnick and NTIA3795to expedite the BEAD program and get funding to the states, consistent3796with the law.3797Tribal Connectivity3798    NTIA oversees the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program, which3799Congress appropriated $3 billion to support Tribal governments for3800deployment projects, telehealth, and online education opportunities.3801Roughly $1 billion in funding for this program is currently frozen.38023803    Question 1. Yes or no, will you commit to completing the Tribal3804Broadband Connectivity Program as it currently exists?3805    Answer. If confirmed, I look forward to working with Secretary3806Lutnick and NTIA to execute on the Tribal Broadband Connectivity3807Program, consistent with the law.3808Middle Mile Infrastructure Program3809    To date, NTIA has awarded nearly $980 million across 40 states and3810territories through the Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure3811Program. This Program funds projects to deploy future-proof fiber over3812nearly 12,500 miles, connecting over 7,000 anchor institutions.38133814    Question 1. Will you commit to completing the Enabling Middle Mile3815Broadband Infrastructure Program as it currently exists?3816    Answer. If confirmed, I look forward to working with Secretary3817Lutnick and NTIA to execute on the Enabling Middle Mile Broadband3818Infrastructure Program, consistent with the law.38193820    Question 2. Will you commit to working expeditiously to ensure that3821funded projects are able to proceed to deploy fiber across the country?3822    Answer. If confirmed, I look forward to working with Secretary3823Lutnick and NTIA to execute on the Enabling Middle Mile Broadband3824Infrastructure Program, consistent with the law.3825Digital Equity Grants3826    Congress intended to not only establish a once-in-a-generation3827investment in broadband infrastructure, but also to ensure individuals3828and communities have the skills necessary to take advantage of the3829digital opportunities created by high-speed Internet connectivity. One3830example is how the State of Washington is developing a cybersecurity3831literacy program to ensure Washingtonians have the necessary skills to3832protect themselves from cyber criminals.38333834    Question 1. Will you commit to fully and swiftly implementing the3835Digital Equity Act and its focus on all of the core targets identified3836in the statute, including rural Americans, seniors, and veterans?3837    Answer. If confirmed, I will commit to fully and swiftly reviewing3838all NTIA programs, including the Digital Equity Act, and following the3839law.38403841    Question 2. Can you commit not to leave any of the statutory3842``covered populations'' outlined in the Digital Equity Act behind and3843implement the Act fully, as intended by Congress?3844    Answer. If confirmed, I will commit to fully and swiftly reviewing3845all NTIA programs, including the Digital Equity Act, and following the3846law.3847Innovation Fund3848    Authorized under the FY 2021 National Defense Authorization Act and3849funded through the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, the Public Wireless3850Supply Chain Innovation Fund is a 10-year, $1.5 billion grant program3851will help drive wireless innovation, foster competition, and strengthen3852supply chain resilience. Around $814 million remains unobligated.3853President Trump has called to roll back the CHIPS and Science Act,3854which funded this program.38553856    Question 1. Do you support the current funding opportunities3857announced and underway?3858    Answer. I support the program and its implementation, consistent3859with the President's executive order 14080 detailing the focus on3860delivering the benefit of the bargain for taxpayers.38613862    Question 2. Will you commit to implementing these programs and to3863complete open funding rounds?3864    Answer. I support the program and its implementation, consistent3865with the President's executive order 14080 detailing the focus on3866delivering the benefit of the bargain for taxpayers.3867                                 ______38683869   Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Amy Klobuchar to3870                              Paul Dabbar38713872Travel and Tourism3873    Travel and tourism is vital to the U.S. economy, generating3874billions in revenue and supporting millions of jobs. That's why I3875helped create Brand USA to promote the U.S. as a premier destination.3876But this administration is jeopardizing this progress. Bookings from3877Canada are down 70 percent from this time last year, causing our3878economy to lose billions of dollars.38793880    Question 1. If confirmed, how will you work to restore travel and3881tourism?3882    Answer. If confirmed, I will work to strengthen international3883visitation by promoting the U.S. as a premier destination.38843885    Question 2. If confirmed, how will you work to strengthen programs3886like Brand USA to ensure the U.S. remains competitive in attracting3887international visitors-especially considering major upcoming events3888like the World Cup, 250th Anniversary celebrations, and the 20283889Olympics?3890    Answer. Major global events are an opportunity to showcase American3891excellence and attract international visitors. President Trump recently3892established a White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup to3893coordinate Federal efforts around the 2025 Club World Cup and 20263894World Cup and maximize the economic benefits of sports tourism. If3895confirmed, I will work to ensure these and other events help drive job3896creation, investment, and global interest in visiting the United3897States.3898                                 ______38993900    Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Brian Schatz to3901                              Paul Dabbar39023903Marine National Monument3904    On April 17, the President issued a proclamation that opened the3905Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument to commercial fishing3906after asserting that the ``prohibition on commercial fishing is not, at3907this time, necessary for the proper care and management of the PRIMNM3908or the objects of historic or scientific interest therein.''39093910    Question 1. Please explain the scientific basis for the President's3911conclusion, including citations for the peer-reviewed literature that3912supports this Action.3913    Answer. If confirmed, I will consult with the NOAA team to3914understand this issue.39153916    Question 2. Since the President concluded that the ban on3917commercial fishing was not needed ``at this time,'' please explain the3918circumstances when such a ban would be necessary, and describe how the3919Pacific ocean will be monitored to determine when such circumstances3920arise.3921    Answer. If confirmed, I will consult with the NOAA to team to3922understand this issue.3923Tariffs3924    Secretary Lutnick stated that President Trump's tariffs are3925``playing for the strength of America'' despite costing American3926families over an estimated $5,000 a year, risking a stagflationary3927recession, and undermining our international competitiveness in3928scientific and technological advancement.39293930    Question 3. If confirmed, will you commit to pursuing a tariff3931regime that lowers costs for American families?3932    Answer. If confirmed, I will do everything in my power to ensure3933that trade measures are implemented in a manner that supports fair3934competition, transparency and our national interest.39353936    Question 4. If confirmed, will you commit to pursuing a tariff3937regime that strengthens supply chains critical to U.S. science and3938technology sectors?3939    Answer. Given my background and as I stated during my hearing, I am3940committed to ensuring that science and technology efforts, including3941AI, semiconductors, quantum, intellectual property, the Blue Economy,3942and technology security are at the forefront of issues we focus on at3943the Commerce Department. Building a stronger, more resilient economy3944that is less dependent on unfair or unstable foreign supply chains is a3945critical part of that.3946Data Transparency3947    The Commerce Department is charged with maintaining data pertaining3948to the U.S. economy, weather, and the Census. The availability of this3949data is critical to upholding government transparency and the3950dissemination of critical public information. Despite this, the Trump3951administration has deleted records of important taxpayer-supported3952research with no warning.39533954    Question 5. If confirmed, will you ensure that the Commerce3955Department's data remains accurate, up-to-date, and that the Commerce3956Department will not permanently delete research supported by taxpayers?3957    Answer. If confirmed, I commit to following all applicable Federal3958laws and regulations pertaining to the publication and retention of3959Commerce data and research.39603961    Question 6. Will you ensure the Bureau prepares to implement a3962Census in 2030 that counts every person?3963    Answer. If confirmed, I commit to ensuring that the Census is3964implemented consistent with the law.3965Support for CHIPS Act3966    You described the CHIPS and Science Act as a ``historic down3967payment'' for American leadership in semiconductor technology. The3968Trump administration has criticized and worked to undermine this3969bipartisan law by terminating vital staff from the office overseeing3970the program.39713972    Question 7. If confirmed, please describe your vision for carrying3973out the CHIPS and Science Act as Congress intended.3974    Answer. I recognize that semiconductors are essential to our3975national security and economic and technological competitiveness. I3976look forward to continued implementation of the CHIPS and Science Act3977as written and as guided by the President and Secretary Lutnick.39783979    Question 8. Will you commit to ensuring that vital investments in3980scientific research, including in areas such as AI and quantum3981computing, continue for educational institutions?3982    Answer. I look forward to continued investments in areas such as AI3983and quantum and will work with educational institutions that are3984qualified and eligible to participate.39853986    Question 9. Will you commit to ensuring that vital investments in3987workforce development continue to prepare the next generation of3988scientists, engineers and technologists?3989    Answer. I look forward to supporting effective, efficient and3990proven workforce development activities to prepare the next generation3991of scientists, engineers and technologists.3992Artificial Intelligence3993    President Trump has rolled back the Biden Administration's AI3994Executive Order in favor of his AI Action Plan, but there are3995commonsense, bipartisan provisions that are worth protecting.39963997    Question 10. Do you plan to support the continuation of the U.S. AI3998Safety Institute, which has broad support across the aisle and within3999industry, to ensure U.S. leadership on AI standards development?4000    Answer. If confirmed, I will support continued testing of AI4001models, the sharing of results by NIST (where the AI Safety Institute4002resides) and the development of AI standards.40034004    Question 11. Will you commit to ensuring that the Department of4005Commerce maintains the technical expertise and staffing capacity4006necessary to maintain U.S. leadership on AI?4007    Answer. If confirmed, I will work to ensure that the U.S. continues4008to lead on AI.4009Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS)4010    The BIS advances U.S. national security, foreign policy, and4011economic objectives by ensuring effective export controls for advanced4012semiconductors. Competition with China and technological developments4013have complicated BIS's work and added new responsibilities. As a4014result, they must now oversee more commerce than even a decade ago, and4015face more sophisticated adversaries. Unfortunately, their resources4016have been essentially flat with inflation since 2010.40174018    Question 12. Do you commit to ensuring that BIS has the resources4019necessary to complete its job, including technical expertise and4020modernized infrastructure, such as IT systems?4021    Answer. I am committed to ensuring that the Department, including4022the Bureau of Industry and Security, completes its mission.4023                                 ______40244025  Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Tammy Duckworth to4026                              Paul Dabbar40274028Manufacturing in the U.S.4029    Question 1. The Department of Commerce's Manufacturing Extension4030Partnership Program is a crucial program to help strengthen the U.S.4031industrial base by providing a number of services to small and medium-4032sized manufacturers. There is one center in each state and in Illinois,4033the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC) leads a variety of4034initiatives to grow manufacturing, including supporting the development4035of quantum technologies in our state. IMEC has created and retained4036more than 7,000 jobs and assisted nearly 3,000 companies. Despite4037Secretary Lutnick's promises, the DOC announced that it had decided to4038cancel funding for MEP centers in a number of states. After that4039announcement, I joined 14 other Senators to express our concerns and4040call for a reversal of that decision. One week after our letter, the4041DOC confirmed that it would reverse its previous decision.40424043    A. Mr. Dabbar, if confirmed, will you stop efforts to defund the4044Manufacturing Extension Partnership, which help American manufacturers?4045    Answer. If confirmed, I look forward to working to support4046President Trump's and Secretary's Lutnick's efforts to grow domestic4047manufacturing.40484049    B. Mr. Dabbar, will you commit to fighting against cuts to programs4050in addition to the MEP that support manufacturing in the United States?4051    Answer. If confirmed, I look forward to working to support4052President Trump's and Secretary Lutnick's efforts to grow domestic4053manufacturing.4054Quantum4055    Question 2. Mr. Dabbar, you spent a lot of time working on quantum4056technology policy, including a number of engagements with the Chicago4057Quantum Exchange and our quantum community throughout Illinois.40584059    A. Mr. Dabbar, as the White House continues to slash funding for4060research, will you commit to use your position to protect investments4061in quantum?4062    Answer. I am in support of quantum efforts nationally, as has been4063delineated by the President in his recent public letter to the OSTP4064Director, and public comments on quantum by Secretary Lutnick.40654066    B. Do you agree that the Federal government should invest in places4067like the Chicago Quantum Exchange and the new Illinois Quantum4068Microelectronics Park, in order to maintain American leadership on4069quantum?4070    Answer. I am in support of those and other quantum efforts4071nationally, as has been delineated by the President in his recent4072public letter to the OSTP Director, and public comments on quantum by4073Secretary Lutnick.4074Section 232 Tariffs4075    Question 3. If you are confirmed, you play a significant role in4076tariff and trade policy. Considering your lack of background in trade4077and tariffs, I want to understand how you are planning to engage with4078career experts at the Department of Commerce on these topics.40794080    A. Mr. Dabbar, who have you already reached out to at the4081Department to discuss trade and tariffs and get up to speed? Have you4082seen any indication that Secretary Lutnick is consulting with the4083experts at the Department of Commerce prior to making decisions on4084tariffs?4085    Answer. Secretary Lutnick is an expert on trade, and I know he4086discusses trade topics with a wide group of experts. I have had several4087meetings with Commerce Department officials to get up to speed on4088public information on a range of trade issues that will come before me.40894090    B. Mr. Dabbar, are you aware of a 2019 Commerce Department4091Inspector General report that found that Section 232 tariff policy was4092conducted with ``a lack of transparency'' and ``the appearance of4093improper influence in decision making?''4094    Answer. I am not familiar with that report.40954096    C. How would you ensure that is not repeated during the second4097Trump Administration?4098    Answer. I am committed to working collaboratively and transparently4099with Administration officials and Congress to ensure that any4100exclusions would be administered in a manner that is consistent with4101the strategic goals of the tariffs as well as the legal authority under4102which they are imposed.4103                                 ______41044105   Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Ben Ray Lujan to4106                              Paul Dabbar41074108    Question 1. Sec. Lutnick is calling on states to use the lowest4109cost option when building out broadband under the BEAD Program.4110Although satellite is cheaper and quicker to deploy in the short-term,4111it will be more expensive in the long-term. Fiber is considered the4112gold standard in Internet connection. Yes or no, do you support4113deprioritizing fiber in favor of fixed wireless or LEO satellites?4114    Answer. I support an all-of-the-above solution, including fiber as4115well as alternative technologies where appropriate. If confirmed, I4116will work with Secretary Lutnick and NTIA to deliver the best broadband4117service possible to all Americans, consistent with NTIA's statutory4118authority.41194120    a. Are you aware of any small LEO operators that satisfy IIJA's4121100/20 mbps speeds and low latency conditions?4122    Answer. If confirmed, I will consult with NTIA on whether specific4123products, services, and technologies meet the statutory speed and low4124latency requirements.41254126    Question 2. Earlier this month, Secretary Lutnick put out a4127statement saying that the Commerce Department is ``revamping the BEAD4128program to take a tech-neutral approach that is rigorously driven by4129outcomes, so states can provide Internet access for the lowest cost.''4130Yes or no, do you support requiring states to overhaul and resubmit4131their BEAD plans?4132    Answer. Connecting every American to broadband expeditiously is a4133top priority. It is unacceptable that the Broadband Equity, Access, and4134Deployment (BEAD) program has been bogged down by delays and4135administrative processes for years. If confirmed, I will work with4136Secretary Lutnick and NTIA to expedite the BEAD program, get funding to4137the states, and expand broadband buildout, consistent with the law.41384139    Question 3. The Digital Equity Act provides $2.75 billion to4140establish three grant programs that promote activities consistent with4141the Act. They aim to ensure that all people and communities have the4142skills, technology, and capacity needed to reap the full benefits of4143our digital economy. According to recent reporting, the Trump4144Administration froze those funds last month. However, grant awardees4145were not notified of such a freeze. Yes or no, if confirmed, will you4146commit to release and distributing these funds?4147    Answer. I will commit to fully and swiftly reviewing all NTIA4148programs and following the law.41494150    Question 4. Did Joe Biden lawfully win the 2020 presidential4151election?4152    Answer. Joe Biden was sworn in as President in January 2021.41534154    Question 5. Did Donald Trump lawfully win the 2024 presidential4155election?4156    Answer. Donald Trump was sworn in as President in January 2025.4157                                 ______41584159      Response to Written Question Submitted by Hon. Andy Kim to4160                              Paul Dabbar41614162Section 232 Exclusion Process4163    Question. Over the last few months, the Trump Administration has4164announced numerous tariffs on steel, aluminum, and other materials to4165the United States. Will you commit to working with the U.S. Trade4166Representative to set up an exclusions process to these tariffs for4167imports that fit section 232 exemptions criteria?4168    Answer. The President is the leader of the Administration's trade4169agenda and there is not currently an exclusions process, as the4170President is determined to strengthen domestic manufacturing and not4171allow our strategic competitors to infiltrate the United States market4172at the expense of American manufacturers. If confirmed, I would work4173with Secretary Lutnick, Under Secretary Kessler, and Ambassador Greer4174on the strategic goals of tariffs and the broader interests of the4175United States.4176                                 ______41774178Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Lisa Blunt Rochester to4179                              Paul Dabbar41804181Supply Chains4182    Mr. Dabbar, in recent years, we've seen firsthand how fragile our4183supply chains can be, in areas like medical PPE and semiconductor chip4184shortages.4185    That's why I proudly joined Senators Cantwell and Blackburn to4186introduce the bipartisan Promoting Resilient Supply Chains Act, which4187empowers the Department of Commerce to work with the private sector to4188prevent future disruptions in critical industries and emerging4189technologies.41904191    Question 1. Mr. Dabbar, how would you strengthen supply chain4192resilience and better protect American industries and consumers from4193potential disruptions?4194    Answer. In order to strengthen supply chain resilience and protect4195American industries and consumers, if confirmed, I would work with the4196Secretary and others at the Department and across the Administration to4197tighten export controls on critical and emerging technologies, conduct4198Section 232 investigations to assess whether imports of certain goods4199threaten national security, and push for the reshoring and bolstering4200of domestic manufacturing capacity in key sectors.4201Supporting American Leadership in AI for Energy Innovation4202    Mr. Dabbar, AI is already transforming the energy sector by helping4203improve grid resilience, optimize energy efficiency, and accelerate4204clean energy research.4205    However, China is investing heavily to lead the world in AI and4206energy technologies. Maintaining our edge is critical to U.S. economic4207and national security.42084209    Question 1. Mr. Dabbar, how would you prioritize the use of AI in4210advancing U.S. energy innovation if confirmed?4211    Answer. If confirmed, I would prioritize utilizing AI to increase4212U.S. competitiveness by advancing energy innovation. While at the DOE,4213I had the opportunity to oversee a partnership using AI to increase4214discovery of energy technologies, and there are many other similar4215opportunities for innovation. If confirmed, I look forward to exploring4216opportunities in coordination with inter-agency partners.42174218    Question 2. How can the Commerce Department help support4219partnerships between national labs, universities, and private industry4220to keep America competitive?4221    Answer. Robust collaboration between these entities is essential4222for American competitiveness. Commerce currently partners with national4223labs, universities, and private industry, and can play a role in4224strengthening and facilitating those partnerships. If confirmed, I will4225work to review existing programs and identify opportunities to4226strengthen those vital relationships.4227Promoting Ethical AI Standards4228    Mr. Dabbar, AI technologies developed for energy applications must4229also be deployed responsibly, to ensure transparency, security, and4230public trust.42314232    Question 1. If confirmed, how would you approach promoting4233responsible AI energy standards through Commerce Department4234initiatives?4235    Answer. As stated above, Secretary Lutnick has expressed his belief4236that NIST should ensure American leadership on AI standards. AI4237industrial consensus energy standards need to be developed in4238coordination with industry and other agencies, such as the Department4239of Energy, if they are to be understood, trusted and utilized. If4240confirmed, I look forward to supporting such work.42414242                                  [all]