Business meeting to consider the nomination of Neil Jacobs, of North Carolina, to be Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere; to be immediately followed by hearings to examine the nominations of Michael Graham, of Virginia, to be a Member of the National Transportation Safety Board, Ethan Klein, of New Jersey, to be an Associate Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, and Joyce Meyer, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary of Commerce for Economic Affairs.
Meeting•Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation•Sep 17, 2025 · 10:00 AM
Summary
Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a meeting on Sep 17, 2025 at 10:00 AM in Russell Senate Office Building, Room 253.
Record
The meeting has its transcript on the record.
Transcript
The transcript runs to 5,769 lines and 304,311 characters, as the Government Publishing Office printed it.
1[Senate Hearing 119-426]2[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]34 S. Hrg. 119-42656 NOMINATION TO THE NATIONAL7 TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD, THE OFFICE8 OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY,9 AND THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE1011=======================================================================1213 HEARING1415 before the1617 COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE,18 SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION19 UNITED STATES SENATE2021 ONE HUNDRED NINETEENTH CONGRESS2223 FIRST SESSION24 __________2526 SEPTEMBER 17, 202527 __________2829 Printed for the use of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and30 Transportation3132 [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]3334 Available online: http://www.govinfo.gov35 ______3637 U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE383963-889 PDF WASHINGTON : 20264041 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 September 17, 2025............................... 172Statement of Senator Cruz........................................ 173Statement of Senator Cantwell.................................... 274Statement of Senator Moreno...................................... 5775 Letter dated September 17, 2025 to Senator Ted Cruz and76 Senator Maria Cantwell from James A. Viola, President and77 CEO, General Aviation Manufacturers Association............ 6078 Letter dated September 25, 2025 to Hon. Ted Cruz and Hon.79 Maria Cantwell from The Board of Governors, Air Charter80 Safety Foundation.......................................... 6181 Letter dated September 9, 2025 to Hon. Ted Cruz and Hon.82 Maria Cantwell from Laura Chace, President and CEO,83 Intelligent Transportation Society of America.............. 6184 Letter dated September 16, 2025 to Hon. Ted Cruz and Hon85 Maria Cantwell from Gary Shapiro, CEO and Vice Chair,86 Consumer Technology Association and Kinsey Fabrizio,87 President, Consumer Technology Association................. 6288 Letter dated September 16, 2025 to Hon. Ted Cruz and Hon89 Maria Cantwell from Scott Corley, Executive Director, The90 Task Force on American Innovation.......................... 6291 Letter dated April 29, 2025 to Hon. Ted Cruz and Hon. Maria92 Cantwell from Michael Robbins, President and CEO,93 Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International94 (AUVSI).................................................... 6395 Letter dated September 8, 2025 to Hon. Ted Cruz and Hon.96 Maria Cantwell from Cade Clark, Chief Government Affairs97 Officer, Vertical Aviation International................... 6498 Letter dated September 15, 2025 to Senator Ted Cruz and99 Senator Maria Cantwell from Ed Bolen, President and CEO,100 National Business Aviation Association..................... 65101 Letter dated September 17, 2025 to Hon. Ted Cruz and Hon.102 Maria Cantwell from Ross Nodurft, Executive Director,103 Alliance for Digital Innovation............................ 66104Statement of Senator Sullivan.................................... 51105Statement of Senator Young....................................... 54106Statement of Senator Peters...................................... 55107108 Witnesses109110Michael Graham, Nominee to be a Member, National Transportation111 Safety Board................................................... 3112 Prepared statement........................................... 5113 Biographical information..................................... 5114Dr. Ethan A. Klein, Nominee for Associate Director, Office of115 Science and Technology Policy.................................. 18116 Prepared statement........................................... 19117 Biographical information..................................... 21118Joyce Meyer, Nominee for Under Secretary of Commerce for Economic119 Affairs, U.S. Department of Commerce........................... 30120 Prepared statement........................................... 31121 Biographical information..................................... 32122123 Appendix124125Response to written questions submitted to Michael Graham by:126 Hon. Ted Cruz................................................ 67127 Hon. Dan Sullivan............................................ 68128 Hon. Maria Cantwell.......................................... 68129 Hon. Amy Klobuchar........................................... 72130 Hon. Jacky Rosen............................................. 72131 Hon. Ben Ray Lujan........................................... 73132 Hon. John Hickenlooper....................................... 74133 Hon. John Fetterman.......................................... 74134Response to written questions submitted to Dr. Ethan A. Klein by:135 Hon. Maria Cantwell.......................................... 75136 Hon. Amy Klobuchar........................................... 78137 Hon. Ben Ray Lujan........................................... 78138 Hon. John Hickenlooper....................................... 79139 Hon. John Fetterman.......................................... 80140Response to written questions submitted to Joyce Meyer by:141 Hon. Eric Schmitt............................................ 80142 Hon. Maria Cantwell.......................................... 81143 Hon. Gary Peters............................................. 82144 Hon. Jacky Rosen............................................. 83145 Hon. Ben Ray Lujan........................................... 84146 Hon. John Hickenlooper....................................... 84147 Hon. Amy Klobuchar........................................... 85148149 NOMINATION TO THE NATIONAL150 TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD,151 THE OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND152 TECHNOLOGY POLICY, AND THE153 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE154155 ----------156157 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2025158159 U.S. Senate,160 Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,161 Washington, DC.162 The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10:15 a.m., in163room SR-253, Russell Senate Office Building, Hon. Ted Cruz,164Chairman of the Committee, presiding.165 Present: Senators Cruz [presiding], Thune, Wicker, Fischer,166Moran, Sullivan, Blackburn, Young, Budd, Moreno, Sheehy,167Cantwell, Peters, and Rosen.168169 OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. TED CRUZ,170 U.S. SENATOR FROM TEXAS171172 The Chairman. We are going to start this morning's173nomination hearing. And when we have a quorum present, we will174recess the hearing and move to voting out the nominees, but we175will go ahead and start the hearing while we are waiting for176other members to pull out of other committees that are meeting177simultaneously.178 And as soon as we get a quorum, we will suspend. We now179turn to this morning nomination hearing. With us are Michael180Graham, nominee for Member of the National Transportation181Safety Board; Ethan Klein, nominee for Associate Director of182the Office of Science Technology Policy and U.S. Chief183Technology Officer; and Joyce Meyer, nominee for Under184Secretary of Commerce for Economic Affairs.185 Mr. Graham is a safety professional and aviator who began186his career in the Navy flying combat missions in Operation187Desert Storm. After nearly a decade of military service, he188worked at Boeing, McDonnell Douglas, and then at Textron189Aviation, the manufacturer of the Cessna aircraft.190 Mr. Graham oversaw the safety, security, and191standardization of all flight operations at Textron. Since192January 2020, he has served as a Board Member on the NTSB,193actively participating in onsite investigations, analyzing and194approving reports, and spearheading initiatives to improve195safety across the transportation sector. Our next nominee,196Ethan Klein, will serve as U.S. Chief Technology Officer within197OSTP.198 In this role, Mr. Klein will help oversee tech policy for199the administration and promote development in emerging fields200like artificial intelligence. We know Beijing is marshaling its201state resources to become the global leader in AI by 2030.202America must not fall behind.203 I was very encouraged by the administration's AI Action204Plan, which OSTP helped to author, and I am confident that Mr.205Klein will be a key player in this new era of geopolitical206competition. An MIT-educated nuclear scientist, Mr. Klein207served in OSTP during the first Trump administration as a208policy advisor to now Director Michael Kratsios. He helped209draft Executive Orders on artificial intelligence, drones, and210biotechnology.211 And now, beyond advancing frontier research and212development, he will drive the transfer of technology from lab213to market not through the heavy hand of the state, as China is214doing, but in the American way, through free enterprise.215Finally, we have Joyce Meyer, whose decades of fiscal and216administrative experience prepare her to oversee the census as217Under Secretary of Commerce for Economic Affairs.218 On Capitol Hill, she served as a longtime aide to former219Speaker of the House and noted fiscal wonk, Paul Ryan. In the220first Trump administration, she served as the Deputy Assistant221to the President for Legislative Affairs.222 And now, she is a Senior Advisor at the Commerce223Department, currently detailed to the White House. Ms. Meyer,224who holds an MBA from Georgetown, will be a steady economic225hand amid potential changes in markets.226 I look forward to hearing from her and all of our nominees227today. I will now turn to Ranking Member Cantwell.228229 STATEMENT OF HON. MARIA CANTWELL,230 U.S. SENATOR FROM WASHINGTON231232 Senator Cantwell. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Graham, Dr.233Klein, Ms. Myers, thank you for being here. Congratulations on234your nominations, or renominations in one case. And thank you235your willingness to serve.236 Mr. Graham, you have been renominated to a 5-year term of237the NTSB, which plays a vital role in investigating group238causes of some of the most devastating transportation accidents239in our country and identifying key areas of improvement.240 This includes disasters like the East Palestine derailment,241which Mr. Graham deployed as the lead investigator. The NTSB242has made 34 recommendations in response to that derailment.243Over a year has passed since that report came out, and yet most244of the recommendations still remain open.245 So I hope this is a moment where we can talk about some of246those, and the Committee can work together to address those247recommendations in a reauthorization bill. The NTSB is248critically important in investigating the tragic midair249collision in DCA airspace that killed 67 people in January, but250this wasn't an isolated incident.251 The NTSB found over 15,000 near miss incidents between252commercial aircraft and helicopters in the three years leading253up to the crash, and controllers warned that the FAA helicopter254routes were dangerous, but that information was dismissed by255the agency--the FAA.256 Meanwhile, the Army has been operating 100 percent of its257missions with ADS-B Out not transmitting. These weren't unknown258risks. They were ignored warnings that cost lives. So Mr.259Graham, as someone who participated in that NTSB investigation260of the tragedy, I look forward to asking your assessment about261the fundamental changes we need at the FAA to prevent future262tragedies.263 I also want to point out that you were renominated one264month after President Trump illegally fired Vice Chair Alvin265Brown, one in a series of illegal firings across multiple266independent boards and commissions, including most recently267Democratic Member of the Surface Transportation Act.268 You were nominated--Mr. Klein, you were nominated to be269Associate Director of the White House Office of Science and270Technology and the next U.S. Chief Technology Officer. If271confirmed, you would play a key role in executing the Nation's272science and technology agenda, including collecting--our273collective efforts to ensure that the United States maintains274its leadership in AI.275 No doubt AI will change our world, but there are lots of276areas in which the Federal Government should play a role,277education, training in AI, and promoting American leadership,278while also protecting consumers and children from harm.279 To be clear, I do support a Federal preemption bill, but280only when it is paired with the appropriate Federal framework,281which includes solid guardrails to ensure that America is the282leader in setting AI standards and rules of the road. I look283forward to hearing from you on those priorities and other OSTP284priorities.285 Finally, Ms. Meyer, if confirmed, you will be the Under286Secretary for Economic Affairs at the Department of Commerce,287and you will be responsible for overseeing the Bureau of288Economic Analysis. Some of the most important economic data and289statistics that our Government produces, including GDP290estimates and international trade deficits.291 American businesses across every industry, from housing to292retail, to technology, to manufacturing depend on those293accurate statistical information from the Federal Government294that is free from political influence. Without it, businesses295find themselves flying blind and unable to invest with296confidence.297 So everybody, I believe, should agree on economic298statistical agency's ability to produce that data free from299political influence. So, I hope you will agree with that, and300plan to ask you questions about that and your general plans for301the integrity of economic data and what we need to do to302continue to move forward collectively on America's commerce303agenda.304 So, thank you, Mr. Chairman. I look forward to hearing from305our nominees.306 The Chairman. Thank you. And we will now take the opening307statements from the witnesses. We will start with Mr. Graham.308309 STATEMENT OF MICHAEL GRAHAM, NOMINEE TO BE A MEMBER, NATIONAL310 TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD311312 Mr. Graham. Thank you. Chairman Cruz, Ranking Member313Cantwell, and members of the Committee, thank you for the314opportunity to appear before you as I seek confirmation for315another term as a Board Member of the National Transportation316Safety Board, NTSB.317 I am deeply honored by President Trump's nomination, and I318am grateful for the support and partnership this committee has319provided both to me and to the NTSB throughout my service. I320would like to begin by recognizing the people whose love and321support have made it possible for me to be here today. My wife322of more than 36 years, Lori, is here with me.323 Watching online are our sons, Matthew and Zachary, along324with their spouses, Karinne and Crystal, and our grandson,325Everett. I am also joined by my incredible staff, Anne Kerins326and Brian Arata. I am truly blessed with the best family and327support system anyone could hope for.328 Having served my country as a naval aviator for nearly a329decade, and more recently as a Member of the Board for the past330five and a half years, I know there is no greater privilege331than public service. At the NTSB, that privilege also carries a332profound responsibility of protecting the traveling public333across every mode of transportation.334 Although I spent more than three decades in aviation before335joining the Board, I have found that many of the same safety336principles that guided me as an aviator apply across every mode337of transportation.338 During my time at the NTSB, I have developed a simple339mantra, respect the unexpected. I believe this should be a340guiding principle for any organization, but especially for341those entrusted with transportation safety. We cannot predict342every outcome in transportation. Flight crews do not expect a343door plug to separate mid-flight.344 Rail workers do not expect a train to approach at high345speed while they are working on the track. Communities do not346expect hazardous materials from a train derailment to be347released into the air. And tragically, no one expects a348helicopter to be at the same altitude as a commercial jet on349final approach into one of the busiest airports in the country.350Respecting the unexpected means putting systems in place that351anticipate a wide range of scenarios and prevent tragedies352before they occur.353 When done right, these systems empower people at every354level of an organization to speak up, report hazards without355fear of retaliation, and even stop operations until risks are356addressed. Our goal is always zero accidents and zero357fatalities, but the reality is that safety depends on358recognizing risk and managing it responsibly.359 If confirmed, I will continue to be guided by that360principle as I work with industry, Government, and communities361to evaluate new technologies, advance best practices, and362strengthen our Nation's safety record across every mode of363transportation. I am proud of the NTSB's work and reputation,364and if confirmed, I look forward to helping build upon both.365 Thank you again Chairman Cruz, Ranking Member Cantwell, and366members of the Committee for this opportunity to appear before367you. I welcome your questions and hope to earn your continued368trust and support in serving the American people at the NTSB.369 [The prepared statement and biographical information of Mr.370Graham follow:]371372 Prepared Statement of Hon. Michael E. Graham, Board Member,373 National Transportation Safety Board374 Chairman Cruz, Ranking Member Cantwell, and Members of the375Committee:376377 Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you as I seek378confirmation for another term as a Board Member of the National379Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). I am deeply honored by President380Trump's nomination, and I am grateful for the support and partnership381this Committee has provided both to me and to the NTSB throughout my382service.383 I would like to begin by recognizing the people whose love and384support have made it possible for me to be here today. My wife of more385than 36 years, Lori, is here with me. Watching online are our sons,386Matthew, and Zachary, along with their spouses, Karinne and Crystal,387and our grandson, Everett. I am also joined by my incredible staff,388Anne Kerins and Brian Arata. I am truly blessed with the best family389and support system anyone could hope for.390 Having served my country as a Naval aviator for nearly a decade391and, more recently, as a Member of the Board for the past five years, I392know there is no greater privilege than public service. At the NTSB,393that privilege also carries the profound responsibility of protecting394the traveling public across every mode of transportation.395 I appear today on my own behalf as a nominee, and not as a396spokesperson for the full Board. The NTSB's time-tested, data-driven397processes have earned global respect, and for that reason I may be398limited in what I can say regarding active investigations.399 Although I spent more than three decades in aviation before joining400the Board, I have found that many of the same safety principles that401guided me as an aviator apply across every mode of transportation.402During my time at the NTSB, I have developed a simple mantra: respect403the unexpected. I believe this should be a guiding principle for any404organization, but especially for those entrusted with transportation405safety.406 We cannot predict every outcome in transportation. Flight crews do407not expect a door plug to separate mid-flight. Rail workers do not408expect a train to approach at high speed while they are working on the409track. Communities do not expect hazardous materials from a train410derailment to be released into the air. And, tragically, no one expects411a helicopter to be at the same altitude as a commercial jet on final412approach into one of the busiest airports in the country.413 Respecting the unexpected means putting systems in place that414anticipate a wide range of scenarios and prevent tragedies before they415occur. When done right, these systems empower people at every level of416an organization to speak up, report hazards without fear of417retaliation, and even stop operations until risks are addressed.418 Our goal is always zero accidents and zero fatalities. But the419reality is that safety depends on recognizing risk and managing it420responsibly. If confirmed, I will continue to be guided by that421principle as I work with industry, government, and communities to422evaluate new technologies, advance best practices, and strengthen our423Nation's safety record across every mode of transportation.424 I am proud of the NTSB's work and reputation, and, if confirmed, I425look forward to helping build upon both.426 Thank you again, Chairman Cruz, Ranking Member Cantwell, and427Members of the Committee, for the opportunity to appear before you. I428welcome your questions and hope to earn your continued trust and429support in serving the American people at the NTSB.430 ______431432 a. biographical information433 1. Name (Include any former names or nicknames used): Michael434``Mike'' Edward Graham.435 2. Position to which nominated: Board Member, National436Transportation Safety Board.437 3. Date of Nomination: June 16, 2025.438 4. Address (List current place of residence and office addresses):439440 Residence: Information not released to the public.441 Office: 490 L'Enfant Plaza, SW, Washington, D.C. 20594.442443 5. Date and Place of Birth: August 21, 1963: Albuquerque, NM.444 6. Provide the name, position, and place of employment for your445spouse (if married) or domestic partner, and the names and ages of your446children (including stepchildren and children by a previous marriage).447448 Spouse: Lori Priddy Graham; Membership Director, National449 Federation of Republican Women.450 Son: Matthew Thomas Graham (34 years old), Son: Zachary John451 Graham (32 years old).452453 7. List all college and graduate schools attended, whether or not454you were granted a degree by the institution. Provide the name of the455institution, the dates attended, the degree received, and the date of456the degree.457458 University of New Mexico, 8/1981-5/1986, BSME, May 18, 1986.459460 8. List all post-undergraduate employment, including the job title,461name of employer, and inclusive dates of employment, and highlight all462management-level jobs held and any non-managerial jobs that relate to463the position for which you are nominated.464465 (a) Naval Aviator/Fleet Pilot--F/A-18, A-7E/Flight Instructor466 F/A-18--U.S. Navy; NAS Lemoore, CA, NAS Beeville, TX, NAS467 Whiting Field, FL, & NAS Pensacola, FL; 1986-1995; Division468 Leader, Training Officer, Avionics/Armament Division Officer,469 Naval Air Training and Operation Procedures Standardization470 (NATOPS) Evaluator, Navy Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA)471 Officer, Assistant Safety Officer, Scheduling Officer, Drug and472 Alcohol Program Manager, Communication Security (COMSEC)473 Officer.474475 (b) F/A-18 Aircrew Instructor/Subject Matter Expert--Boeing/476 McDonnell Douglas; St. Louis, MO; 1995-1997; Integration477 Engineer and Operational Analyst.478479 (c) Director, Flight Operations Safety, Security &480 Standardization--Textron Aviation, Inc. (Cessna/Hawker/481 Beechcraft); Wichita, KS; 1997-2019; Demonstration/482 Transportation/Production Flight Test & Delivery Pilot,483 Oversees Managers of Air Safety Investigation, Airport484 Operation and Control Tower, Training Supervisor.485486 (d) Board Member, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB):487 Washington, D.C.: 2020-2025.488489 9. Attach a copy of your resume.490 See Attachment 1.491 10. List any advisory, consultative, honorary, or other part-time492service or positions with Federal, State, or local governments, other493than those listed above after 18 years of age. None.494 11. List all positions held as an officer, director, trustee,495partner, proprietor, agent, representative, or consultant of any496corporation, company, firm, partnership, or other business, enterprise,497educational, or other institution.498499 (a) Air Charter Safety Foundation: Chairman July 2018-2019,500 Vice Chairman July 2017-July 2018, Board of Governors 2013-501 2019.502503 (b) National Business Aviation Association Safety Committee,504 Single Pilot Safety Working Group Lead, 2015-2019.505506 (c) General Aviation--Information Analysis Team, 2017-2019.507508 12. List all memberships you have had after 18 years of age or509currently hold with any civic, social, charitable, educational,510political, professional, fraternal, benevolent or religiously511affiliated organization, private club, or other membership organization512(You do not have to list your religious affiliation or membership in a513religious house of worship or institution). Include dates of membership514and any positions you have held with any organization. Please note515whether any such club or organization restricts membership on the basis516of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, or disability.517518 (a) Air Charter Safety Foundation, 2012-2019, Chairman, Vice519 Chairman, Member520521 (b) National Business Aviation Association Safety Committee,522 2012-2019, Single Pilot Safety Working Group Chairman, Member523524 (c) General Aviation--Information Analysis Team, 2017-2019,525 Member526527 (d) Faith Church Kingstowne, 2021 to present, Member528529 (e) Westwood Presbyterian Church, 2015-2019, Member530531 (f) Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 2001-2015, Member532533 (g) Ninnescah Sailing Association, 2004-2009, Member and Junior534 Sailing Chair535536 (h) Republican Precinct Committeeman, 2018-2019, Kansas537 Precinct 514538539 (i) American Legion Post 4 Wichita, KS, 2017 to present, Member540541 (j) Sons of the American Revolution, DC Society, 2022 to542 present, Member543544 13. Have you ever been a candidate for and/or held a public office545(elected, non-elected, or appointed)? If so, indicate whether any546campaign has any outstanding debt, the amount, and whether you are547personally liable for that debt.548549 National Transportation Safety Board Member--No debt550 Republican Precinct Committeeman--No debt.551552 14. List all memberships and offices held with and services553rendered to, whether compensated or not, any political party or554election committee within the past ten years. If you have held a paid555position or served in a formal or official advisory position (whether556compensated or not) in a political campaign within the past ten years,557identify the particulars of the campaign, including the candidate, year558of the campaign, and your title and responsibilities.559560 National Transportation Safety Board Member, 2020 to present561 Republican Precinct Committeeman, 2018-March 2019, Precinct 514562 Wichita, Sedgwick County, KS563564 15. Itemize all political contributions to any individual, campaign565organization, political party, political action committee, or similar566entity of $200 or more for the past ten years.567 No donations over $200.568 16. List all scholarships, fellowships, honorary degrees, honorary569society memberships, military medals, and any other special recognition570for outstanding service or achievements.571572(a) U.S. Navy (1986-1995)573 a. Navy Achievement Medal for OSHA Safety Program574 b. Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation575 c. Southwest Asia Service Medal w/Bronze Star576 d. National Defense Service Medal577 e. Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal578 f. Battle ``E'' Award579 g. Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (2nd Award)580 h. Top Eleven Award (Air Wing 11) for best landing grades on USS581 Abraham Lincoln (2 Awards), 1991582583(b) McDonnell Douglas584 a. Quality Achievement Award, McDonnell Douglas, 1997585586(c) Cessna Aircraft Company Leading Edge Award (3 Awards), Cessna587Aircraft Company, 2001, 2005, 2006.588589(d) Boy Scouts of America, District Award of Merit, White Buffalo590District, 2008591592(e) Flight Safety Foundation, Business Aviation Meritorious Service593Award, 2019594595(f) 5GAA Automotive Association, Special Recognition for Outstanding596Contribution to C-V2X Deployment, 2025.597598 17. List all books, articles, columns, letters to the editor,599Internet blog postings, or other publications you have authored,600individually or with others. Include a link to each publication when601possible. If a link is not available, provide a digital copy of the602publication when available.603 Blogs and Podcasts by NTSB Board Member Michael Graham604605 Collision-Avoidance Technologies Can Improve Safety for Teen606 Drivers607608 NTSB Video Series Highlights Safety Benefits of Connected-609 Vehicle Technology, Raises Concern about Future of V2X610611 Paying Passengers Deserve Safety on All Flights612613 Improve Pipeline Leak Detection and Mitigation614615 It's Time to Require Collision-Avoidance and Connected-616 Vehicle Technologies on all Vehicles617618 Episode 35: School Transportation Safety619620 Episode 31: Member Michael Graham621622 Incentivizing Implementation of Collision Avoidance623 Technology through NCAP624625 Michael Graham | NTSB Safety Compass Blog626627 18. List all speeches, panel discussions, and presentations (e.g.,628PowerPoint) that you have given on topics relevant to the position for629which you have been nominated. Include a link to each publication when630possible. If a link is not available, provide a digital copy of the631speech or presentation when available.632 As an NTSB Board Member, I have performed many speeches and633presentations as part of my duties since January 2020. Below is a link634to the NTSB website and my speeches and presentations:635 Michael Graham636 Presentations prior to becoming an NTSB Board Member:637638 2019 Air Charter Safety Symposium, March 12, 2019, NTSB639 Training Center, Ashburn, VA, ``ACSF Year-in-Review &640 Challenges Ahead''.641642 National Business Aviation Association--Business Aviation643 Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) Single Pilot Safety644 Standdown, October 15, 2018, Orlando, FL, ``Moving from Safety645 Awareness to Safety Performance: Balancing Business and Flying646 Priorities'', Panel Moderator and Presenter.647648 FAA InfoShare, September 20, 2018, New Orleans, LA, ``Aviation649 Safety Action Program (ASAP) Reported Wake Turbulence Event.''650651 2018 Air Charter Safety Symposium, March 13, 2018, NTSB652 Training Center, Ashburn, VA, ``Aviation Safety Action Program653 (ASAP) Panel Discussion''.654655 FAA InfoShare, March 22, 2013, Baltimore, MD, ``Flying in/out656 of an Uncontrolled Airport''.657658 Twin Cessna Flyers Fly-In Convention, Tucson, AZ, May 18, 2017,659 ``Single Pilot Accident Data and Safety Issues''.660661 FAA InfoShare, April 20, 2017, Pittsburg, PA, ``Aviation Safety662 Action Program (ASAP) at an Original Equipment Manufacturer663 (OEM)''.664665 2017 Air Charter Safety Symposium, March 7, 2017, NTSB Training666 Center, Ashburn, VA, ``Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) at667 an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)''668669 19. List all public statements you have made during the past ten670years, including statements in news articles and radio and podcasts and671television appearances, which are on topics relevant to the position672for which you have been nominated, including dates. Include a link to673each statement when possible. If a link is not available, provide a674digital copy of the statement when available.675 As an NTSB Board Member, I actively participate in formal Board676meetings where final accident investigation reports are discussed and677adopted, or where critical evidence is reviewed in support of ongoing678investigations. I also frequently take part in safety advocacy events--679many of which are hosted or sponsored by the NTSB--often serving as the680lead representative or event host.681 In addition, I have recorded multiple public service announcements682to promote the NTSB's key safety priorities. When deploying with the683NTSB ``Go Team'' to the scene of a major transportation accident, a684vital part of my role is to serve as the agency's spokesperson,685conducting media briefings during the initial stages of the686investigation.687 Many of these appearances are recorded and made publicly available688on the NTSB's official YouTube channel:689690 NTSBgov--YouTube691692 Following these appearances, Board Members are often quoted in693print, radio, and television coverage--especially during the early694stages of major investigations. Due to the volume and widespread nature695of this media coverage, it is not feasible to provide a comprehensive696list of all instances in which I have been quoted or featured.697 20. List all digital platforms (including social media and other698digital content sites) on which you currently or have formerly operated699an account, regardless of whether or not the account was held in your700name or an alias. Include the full name of an ``alias'' or ``handle'',701including the complete URL and username with hyperlinks, you have used702on each of the named platforms. Indicate whether the account is active,703deleted, or dormant. Include a link to each account if possible.704705 LinkedIn: Mike Graham, Active,706 https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-graham-3a2918146/707708 Facebook: Mike Graham, Dormant,709 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100011424901210710711 X: @MikeGrahamNTSB, Active712713 Twitter: Mike Graham@0989295, Dormant,714 https://twitter.com/gra0989295715716 Strava: Mike Graham, Active.717718 DailyMile: Mike G., Deleted,719 http://www.dailymile.com/people/citationdude#ref=tophd720721 21. Please identify each instance in which you have testified722orally or in writing before Congress in a governmental or non-723governmental capacity and specify the date, committee, and subject724matter of each testimony.725726 NTSB Board Member confirmation hearing, Senate Commerce,727 Science and Transportation Committee, July 24, 2019.728729 22. Given the current mission, major programs, and major730operational objectives of the department/agency/commission/corporation731to which you have been nominated, what in your background or employment732experience do you believe affirmatively qualifies you for appointment733to the position for which you have been nominated, and why do you wish734to serve in that position?735 From the start of my U.S. Navy career, when I took the Uniformed736Services Oath of Office, I have been committed to public service and737giving back to this great country. If confirmed, it would be an honor738and privilege to continue serving my country as a Board Member of the739NTSB.740 The NTSB's mission is unique among Federal agencies. Its741independence, investigative integrity, and focus on safety advocacy742closely align with the roles I have held throughout my career. Like the743NTSB, I have worked across departments and leadership levels to assess744operational risks, make safety and policy recommendations, raise745awareness, and promote collaboration across organizations and746industries. Many of these roles required me to report independently--747often directly to Federal agencies, including the NTSB--to ensure748transparency and accountability.749 I have been involved with nearly every aspect of aviation750throughout my career, and at each stage safety has been at the751forefront of my mission. My mandate in the Navy, at Boeing/McDonnell752Douglas, at Textron Aviation, and now at the NTSB has never changed--to753respect the unexpected, manage the risks of operations, and reduce754these risks to acceptable levels. As a current Board Member, I have755been able to directly apply these principles to all modes of756transportation that Congress has charged the NTSB with overseeing. For757example, beyond aviation, I have championed connected vehicle758technologies and worked to combat distracted driving, adding crucial759layers of safety on our roadways. If confirmed, I will continue working760with Congress on programs that advance these goals.761 Since I joined the NTSB in 2020, I have focused on the762implementation of Safety Management Systems (SMS) across all modes of763transportation. Given my dual experience as an Original Equipment764Manufacturer within a large flight operation and as a military flight765operations officer in the high-risk environment of an aircraft carrier,766I have seen firsthand how an SMS is the most effective way of767mitigating risk while maximizing resources. Given my involvement with768and oversight of SMS throughout my professional career, this is just769one of the many ways I have leveraged my experience and background to770advance the NTSB's mission, and I would continue this focus if771confirmed.772 I am not a lobbyist or an academic, I am an operator. My career has773been rooted in managing risk, following the rules, and completing the774mission. I lead by example and push organizations not just to meet775minimum standards but to strive for world-class safety. I have worked776within industry to drive meaningful, lasting safety improvements, and777if confirmed, I will continue doing the same at the NTSB.778 23. What do you believe are your responsibilities, if confirmed, to779ensure that the department/agency/commission/corporation has proper780management and accounting controls, and what experience do you have in781managing a large organization?782 Since joining the Board in 2020, I have been beyond impressed with783the structure, order, and efficiency with which the staff of the NTSB784operate. As you have seen in the Annual Reports to Congress, the agency785stretches its resources well beyond its means to effectuate meaningful786change across all modes of transportation. If confirmed, I will787continue to abide by the legislative mandate of the NTSB and exercise788appropriate controls, in coordination with the Chairman and other Board789Members, to regularly evaluate and ensure the effectiveness and790accountability of the agency. This includes being a good steward of the791budget provided by Congress and meeting all requests and deadlines of792Congressional committees.793 My management training and experience started early in my aviation794career in the U.S. Navy. Besides being a Division Leader in Attack and795Strike Fighter aircraft, I managed and led an avionics/armament796division for a deployed fleet squadron on an aircraft carrier. I also797served as Training Officer for the West Coast F/A-18 Fleet Replacement798Squadron and Assistant Safety/OSHA Officer for over six hundred799personnel.800 As a military contractor at Boeing/McDonnell Douglas, I helped lead801a major avionics effort to deliver critical design changes for the new802Strike Fighter F/A-18 E/F aircraft. I led the avionics integration803effort as liaison between software engineers and the U.S. Navy Flight804Test and Weapons School Community. The result was a quality product805within price and on performance, while reducing schedule and technical806risks to the production aircraft's software development.807 As Director of Flight Operations Safety, Security & Standardization808at Textron Aviation, I was responsible for the safe and secure809operations of all domestic and international flights conducted in810support of the largest general aviation (GA) manufacturer in the world.811During my time as Director, I successfully led the aviation safety,812security, and standardization efforts in merging two iconic aircraft813companies, Cessna and Beechcraft, into one company with nine separate814and unique flight departments. I also directed the Safety Management815System (SMS) for all flight operations which included several hundred816personnel. In addition, I also oversaw two operating airports, a817control tower, and one of the largest and most active aircraft accident818air safety investigator department--second only to the NTSB.819 At Textron, I collaborated across the aviation industry to promote820safety and awareness among single pilot operators, the charter industry821and general aviation. As Chairman of the Single Pilot Safety Working822Group of the National Business Aviation Association's Safety Committee,823Chairman of the Air Charter Safety Foundation, and member of the824General Aviation--Information Analysis Team (GA-IAT), I worked with825other industry experts to reduce the accident rate of single pilot,826charter and GA operators, providing best practices, awareness,827training, tools and resources for these operators.828 Now, as a current Board Member of the NTSB, I have worked with829hundreds of agency staff to help conduct our agency's mission. It is my830responsibility as a Board Member to listen to the staff who are the831experts in their respective fields, ask questions, and collaborate with832them to ensure the NTSB retains its gold standard of safety833investigations and analysis.834 24. What do you believe to be the top three challenges facing the835department/agency/commission/corporation, and why?836 It is no secret that it has been a difficult stretch for aviation837safety in this country over the last 12-18 months. While many of these838sobering cases highlight the continued need for the NTSB to fulfill839each aspect of its Congressional mandate, there are also reasons for840optimism such as declining roadway deaths that I believe show the841opportunities that lie ahead for the agency to effectuate positive842change.843844 (a) Mitigating Human Factors in All Modes of845 Transportation.846847 As the NTSB pursues investigations across all modes of848transportation, one thread is consistently present--the influence of849human factors. Unfortunately, human behavior is a major driver of850transportation accidents across all modes. But unless NTSB understands851why people do what they do, the agency cannot make proper852recommendations to correct those behaviors.853 Transportation systems are built by humans, operated by humans, and854maintained by humans. Consequently, human behavior, decision-making,855and communication play central roles in nearly every accident the NTSB856investigates. Analyzing human factors allows us to examine beyond the857mechanical failures or environmental conditions and delve into858cognitive, physiological, and social elements that may have859contributed. Investigating human factors is not about assigning blame860to individuals; rather, it is about recognizing systemic issues and861identifying latent conditions that may compromise safety. Whether it's862fatigue, distraction, training deficiencies, or flawed procedures,863these insights help us craft safety recommendations that improve864systems.865 Oftentimes, the most impactful safety changes come not from better866equipment alone but from better understanding of how people interact867with that equipment. In aviation, for instance, recognizing the limits868of human-machine interaction has led to improved cockpit displays,869better pilot training, and enhanced automation. In highway870transportation, insights into distraction and cognitive workload have871shaped vehicle interface standards and driver assistance technologies.872Unfortunately, many of NTSB's investigations are not able to thoroughly873analyze the physical, physiological, psychological, and psychosocial874factors of those involved in the accident. Future investigations and875reports should focus more time and effort on these human factors.876 As a former pilot myself, I view the integration of human factors877as essential, not optional. The NTSB must continue to strengthen our878investigative frameworks with robust human factors analysis, developing879actionable recommendations that target real-world behaviors and880conditions. Transportation safety is a shared responsibility, and881understanding how human behavior impacts safety is at the core of that882responsibility.883884 (b) Expanding Public-Private Partnership.885886 The NTSB's unique party system, one of the best public-private887partnerships that exists across government, allows it to leverage888certain resources in private industry during the course of an889investigation that would otherwise be difficult, expensive, or in some890cases impossible to access with the agency's existing resources. While891data and other evidence from major accidents are thoroughly and quickly892analyzed, the vast majority of accidents NTSB investigates are not893major but still require robust data analyses to help determine probable894cause and inform our investigation.895 In recent years, the agency has improved its coordination with896industry partners, as well as other agencies, to take advantage of897technologies not otherwise available at NTSB labs to conduct these898analyses. Unfortunately, significant limitations still exist, and data899from Party Members is not always readily available or shared for a900variety of reasons, including proprietary technology. It can also take901a significant amount of time to redact sensitive information or conduct902long-range qualitative or quantitative analyses of agency903investigations, findings, recommendations, and reports.904 Many of the Party Members to an accident currently have the905capability to download accident data on-site and the ability to start906analyzing it immediately, but they are not always allowed to do this.907Removing these barriers would help NTSB obtain the latest data,908expedite investigations and safety alerts if appropriate, and improve909macro analyses of trends across all modes of transportation. It also910would give the Party Members the ability to address areas of concern in911their products quicker and formulate fixes or warnings to the industry912faster, helping to avert another accident in the same area.913 At a time when artificial intelligence and other technologies are914rapidly advancing to reduce man hours in processing these types of915requests, NTSB must continue to expand external relationships to remain916at the forefront of rapid data gathering and analysis.917918 (c) Unmanned Systems.919920 When I joined the Board in 2020, one of the NTSB's most pressing921challenges was integrating unmanned vehicles into the broader922transportation system. Today, the rapid emergence of unmanned passenger923vehicles, aerial systems, trucks, and marine vessels is transforming924transportation at an unprecedented pace. These technologies promise925improved efficiency, greater access, and enhanced safety, but also926introduce new risks to our transportation networks.927 Traditional safety oversight has focused on human performance,928operational procedures, and physical infrastructure. In contrast,929autonomous technologies rely heavily on algorithms, remote pilots, and930artificial intelligence--often operating beyond the immediate control931or awareness of those affected.932 A key challenge is the lack of standardized safety frameworks.933Unmanned aerial systems, for example, vary widely in size, capability,934and operational context. Safely integrating them into crowded national935airspace demands clear flight path visibility, consistent communication936protocols, and reliable collision avoidance. Similarly, autonomous937vessels face challenges in situational awareness and collision938avoidance in complex maritime environments. Self-driving vehicles raise939concerns around system reliability, ethical decision-making, and cross-940jurisdictional coordination.941 Human-machine interaction presents another critical issue. Even942with semi-autonomous systems, human operators often remain confused943about their roles. Public education, operator training, and interface944design must evolve alongside technology.945 The NTSB must continue to rigorously investigate accidents946involving unmanned systems, engage transparently with stakeholders, and947issue evidence-based safety recommendations to build public trust in948these emerging technologies.949 b. potential conflicts of interest950 1. Describe all financial arrangements, deferred compensation951agreements, and other continuing dealings with business associates,952clients, or customers. Please include information related to retirement953accounts, such as a 401(k) or pension plan.954 I have no financial arrangements, deferred compensation agreements955or other continuing dealings with business associates, clients or956customers. I have a retirement account created by my former employer,957Textron, Inc., which is a defined contribution plan. I will also958continue to participate in Textron, Inc.'s defined benefit pension959plan. Both plans are described in Part 3 of my Executive Branch960Personnel Public Financial Disclosure report.961 2. Do you have any commitments or agreements, formal or informal,962to maintain employment, affiliation, or practice with any business,963association, or other organization during your appointment? If so,964please explain. No.965 3. Indicate any investments, obligations, liabilities, or other966relationships which could involve potential conflicts of interest in967the position to which you have been nominated. Explain how you will968resolve each potential conflict of interest.969 In connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with970the Office of Government Ethics and the NTSB's DAEO to identify971potential conflicts of interest. These commitments constitute my ethics972agreement as identified in the ethics regulations.973 Because I will continue to participate in Textron, Inc.'s defined974benefit pension plan, I will not participate personally and975substantially in any particular matter that to my knowledge has a976direct and predictable effect on the ability or willingness of Textron,977Inc. to provide this contractual benefit, unless I first obtain a978written waiver, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Sec. 208(b)(1), or qualify for a979regulatory exemption, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Sec. 208(b)(2).980 My spouse is employed by the National Federation of Republican981Women in a position for which she receives a fixed annual salary. For982as long as my spouse continues to work for the National Federation of983Republican Women, I will not984 participate personally and substantially in any particular matter985involving specific parties in which I know the National Federation of986Republican Women is a party or represents a party, unless I am first987authorized to participate, pursuant to 5 C.F.R. Sec. 2635.502(d).988 4. Describe any business relationship, dealing, or financial989transaction which you have had during the last ten years, whether for990yourself, on behalf of a client, or acting as an agent, that could in991any way constitute or result in a possible conflict of interest in the992position to which you have been nominated. Explain how you will resolve993each potential conflict of interest.994 In connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with995the Office of Government Ethics and the NTSB's DAEO to identify996potential conflicts of interest. These commitments constitute my ethics997agreement as identified in the ethics regulations. I am not aware of998any other potential conflicts of interest.999 5. Identify any other potential conflicts of interest and explain1000how you will resolve each potential conflict of interest.1001 In connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with1002the Office of Governmental Ethics and the NTSB's DAEO to identify1003potential conflicts of interest. Any potential conflicts of interest1004will be resolved in accordance with the terms of an ethics agreement1005that I have entered into with the NTSB's DAEO and that has been1006provided to this Committee. Pursuant to that agreement:10071008 As required by 18 U.S.C. Sec. 208(a), I will not participate1009 personally and substantially in any particular matter in which1010 I know that I have a financial interest directly and1011 predictably affected by the matter, or in which I know that a1012 person whose interests are imputed to me has a financial1013 interest directly and predictably affected by the matter,1014 unless I first obtain a written waiver, pursuant to 18 U.S.C.1015 Sec. 208(b)(1), or qualify for a regulatory exemption, pursuant1016 to 18 U.S.C. Sec. 208(b)(2). I understand that the interests of1017 the following persons are imputed to me: any spouse or minor1018 child of mine; any general partner of a partnership in which I1019 am a limited or general partner; any organization in which I1020 serve as officer, director, trustee, general partner or1021 employee; and any person or organization with which I am1022 negotiating or have an arrangement concerning prospective1023 employment.10241025 I participate in Textron, Inc.'s defined benefit plan.1026 Because I will continue to participate in this entity's defined1027 benefit pension plan, I will not participate personally and1028 substantially in any particular matter that to my knowledge has1029 a direct and predictable effect on the ability or willingness1030 of Textron, Inc., to provide this contractual benefit, unless I1031 first obtain a written waiver, pursuant to 18 U.S.C.1032 Sec. 208(b)(1), or qualify for a regulatory exemption, pursuant1033 to 18 U.S.C. Sec. 208(b)(2).10341035 My spouse is employed by the National Federation of1036 Republican Women in a position for which she receives a fixed1037 annual salary. For as long as my spouse continues to work for1038 the National Federation of Republican Women, I will not1039 participate personally and substantially in any particular1040 matter involving specific parties in which I know the National1041 Federation of Republican Women is a party or represents a1042 party, unless I am first authorized to participate, pursuant to1043 5 C.F.R. Sec. 2635.502(d).10441045 If I have a managed account or otherwise use the services of1046 an investment professional during my appointment, I will ensure1047 that the account manager or investment professional obtains my1048 prior approval on a case-by-case basis for the purchase of any1049 assets other than cash, cash equivalents, investment funds that1050 qualify for the exemption at 5 C.F.R. Sec. 2640.201(a),1051 obligations of the United States, or municipal bonds.10521053 I will meet in person with the NTSB's DAEO or a member of1054 the ethics office after my confirmation but no later than 151055 days after my appointment in order to complete the initial1056 ethics briefing required under 5 C.F.R. Sec. 2638.305.10571058 Within 90 days of my confirmation, I will submit my1059 Certification of Ethics Agreement Compliance which documents my1060 compliance with this ethics agreement.10611062 6. Describe any activity during the past ten years, including the1063names of clients represented, in which you have been engaged for the1064purpose of directly or indirectly influencing the passage, defeat, or1065modification of any legislation or affecting the administration and1066execution of law or public policy. None.1067 c. legal matters1068 1. Have you ever been disciplined or cited for a breach of ethics,1069professional misconduct, or retaliation by, or been the subject of a1070complaint to, any court, administrative agency, the Office of Special1071Counsel, an Inspector General, professional association, disciplinary1072committee, or other professional group? If yes:10731074 a. Provide the name of the court, agency, association, committee, or1075 group;10761077 b. Provide the date the citation, disciplinary action, complaint, or1078 personnel action was issued or initiated;10791080 c. Describe the citation, disciplinary action, complaint, or1081 personnel action;10821083 d. Provide the results of the citation, disciplinary action,1084 complaint, or personnel action.10851086 No.1087 2. Have you ever been investigated, arrested, charged, or held by1088any Federal, State, or other law enforcement authority of any Federal,1089State, county, municipal, or foreign government entity, other than for1090a minor traffic offense? If so, please explain. No.1091 3. Have you or any business or nonprofit of which you are or were1092an officer ever been involved as a party in an administrative agency1093proceeding, criminal proceeding, or civil litigation? If so, please1094explain. No.1095 4. Have you ever been convicted (including pleas of guilty or nolo1096contendere) of any criminal violation other than a minor traffic1097offense? If so, please explain. No.1098 5. Have you ever been accused, formally or informally, of sexual1099assault, sexual harassment, or discrimination on the basis of sex,1100race, religion, or any other basis? If so, please explain. No.1101 6. Please advise the Committee of any additional information,1102favorable or unfavorable, which you feel should be disclosed in1103connection with your nomination. None.1104 d. relationship with committee1105 1. Will you ensure that your department/agency/commission/1106corporation complies with deadlines for information set by1107congressional committees, and that your department/agency/commission/1108corporation endeavors to timely comply with requests for information1109from individual Members of Congress, including requests from members in1110the minority? Yes.1111 2. Will you ensure that your department/agency/commission/1112corporation does whatever it can to protect congressional witnesses and1113whistleblowers from reprisal for their testimony and disclosures? Yes.1114 3. Will you cooperate in providing the Committee with requested1115witnesses, including technical experts and career employees, with1116firsthand knowledge of matters of interest to the Committee? Yes.1117 4. Are you willing to appear and testify before any duly1118constituted committee of the Congress on such occasions as you may be1119reasonably requested to do so? Yes.1120 ______11211122[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]11231124 ______11251126 Addendum to the questionnaire submitted to the Senate Committee on1127Commerce, Science, and Transportation, 119th Congress by Michael Edward1128 Graham.1129 Upon further review, I have identified additional items that are1130responsive to questions A12, Al 7, Al 9, and El on the Committee's1131questionnaire. They are:11321133 A.1211341135 (j) Sons of the American Revolution, DC Society, 2022--1136 present, Member11371138 The Sons of the American Revolution honors our1139 Revolutionary War patriot ancestors by promoting1140 patriotism, serving our communities, and educating and1141 inspiring future generations about the founding principles1142 of our Country.11431144 National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution1145 (NSSAR or SAR) was founded in 1889, is headquartered in1146 Louisville, Kentucky, and is a Congressional Chartered1147 Organization. SAR is a non-profit, non-partisan1148 organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving1149 American history, and promoting education to our future1150 generations. SAR members volunteer untold hours of service1151 each year in their local communities. SAR is very active in1152 assisting veterans. The organization proudly assist1153 teachers with living history interpreters, lesson planning1154 materials, and reenactment events for school aged youth to1155 attend. SAR National Headquarters houses one of the1156 Nation's premier genealogical libraries.11571158 As one of the largest male societies in the country,1159 SAR boasts tens of thousands of active members in over 5501160 chapters across the United States and internationally. Any1161 male 18 years or older-regardless of race, religion, or1162 ethnic background-who can prove blood lineal descent from a1163 patriot of the American Revolution, is eligible for1164 membership.11651166 I was a member of the Wichita Chapter of Team RWB before1167 moving to DC to start my duties as a NTSB Board Member. When I1168 moved to DC, I dissolved my local membership.11691170 A.1711711172 I have included all of my authored work during my time1173 as a Board Member in my initial questionnaire response. In1174 addition to those items, please see here for links to all of my1175 presentations I have made during my time at the NTSB.1176 Unfortunately, the agency does not have the capability or1177 capacity to record all of these presentations, so many of these1178 only include the presentation slides I used.11791180 Upon further review of my files, I did not identify any1181 books, columns, letters to the editor, blog postings, or other1182 publications that I authored prior to my time at the NTSB.11831184 A.1911851186 Unfortunately, the NTSB does not have the capacity or1187 capability to track individual Board Members' statements that1188 are quoted in the press, broadcast over the radio, or replayed1189 on television or podcasts. Part of my duties as a Board Member1190 involve launching on our ``Go Team,'' which typically involve1191 high-profile accidents that are widely covered in the press, as1192 detailed in my initial questionnaire response. Since I began at1193 the Board, I have launched to the following accidents, with1194 subsequent press coverage of each ensuing:11951196 Dallas, TX Mid Air Collision--November 202211971198 East Palestine, OH Norfolk Southern Train Derailment--1199 February 202312001201 Halloran Springs, CA Airbus ECI30 Helicopter Crash--1202 February 202412031204 New York, NY Mexican Navy Vessel Striking Brooklyn1205 Bridge--May 202512061207 Additionally, I have made the following appearances on1208 podcasts since I began at the agency:12091210 Pilot To Pilot (S: I, E:177)--July 6, 202112111212 Behind-the-Scene @ NTSB (E:31)--April 30, 202012131214 Below are news articles I have been quoted in outside of1215 ``Go Team'' launches or NTSB Board Meetings and Hearings (which1216 are all available on NTSB's YouTube channel) since I began at1217 the NTSB:12181219 Aviation Week--August 29, 202512201221 Aviation International News April 9. 202512221223 Aviation International News--October 3, 202212241225 National Business Aviation Association--September/1226 October 202112271228 Prior to my time at the NTSB, I could not locate in my1229 files records of making any public statements, outside of my1230 initial testimony before Congress before my confirmation in1231 2019, related to this position.12321233 The Chairman. Thank you very much. Dr. Klein, you are1234recognized.12351236 STATEMENT OF DR. ETHAN A. KLEIN,1237 NOMINEE FOR ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR,1238 OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY12391240 Mr. Klein. Good morning, and thank you, Chairman Cruz,1241Ranking Member Cantwell, and other members of this esteemed1242committee for the opportunity to appear before you this1243morning. It is the honor of my life to sit before this1244committee as President Donald J. Trump's nominee for Associate1245Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy.1246 I would like to begin today by thanking the people without1247whom I would not be here today. To my parents, Steven and1248Shoshana, thank you for instilling in me a deep appreciation1249and respect for education and lifelong learning.1250 To my twin sister, Dahlia, who will be starting as a1251Professor of Physics at the University of Chicago, thank you1252for setting the example of American scientific leadership we1253seek to preserve. And to the love of my life, my incredible1254wife, Jennifer, and her family, thank you for supporting me1255every step of this journey from Government service to academia1256and back again.1257 I am the luckiest man in the world to have you as my life1258partner. To my friends and family, I love you all. And of1259course, I must give thanks to my God. Our national science and1260technology ecosystem is the engine that has driven America to1261become the most innovative nation in the world, built on the1262bedrock of academia, industry, and Government working together1263in tandem.1264 I am blessed to have worked across all three of these1265pillars, giving me a comprehensive perspective on how to fine1266tune their interactions to maximize impact. In the first Trump1267administration, I served as a Policy Advisor at OSTP, leading1268emerging technology initiatives in artificial intelligence,1269unmanned aircraft systems, and agricultural biotechnology. I1270witnessed the role that Government can play in laying the1271foundations of the technological revolutions defining our1272times.1273 My academic journey began in the public schools of South1274Jersey and brought me to the laboratories of MIT to study1275chemistry and physics as an undergrad and nuclear engineering1276for my PhD. During my graduate work, I explored new frontiers1277of nuclear technology in collaboration with our national1278laboratories.1279 Later, as an MBA student at Stanford, I saw firsthand how1280the co-location of capital and talent in Silicon Valley created1281an unparalleled innovation ecosystem. Across my roles,1282including in financial advisory and at a deep tech incubator, I1283have engaged with hundreds of technology companies, spanning1284hyperscalers to university spinouts, guiding them on how to1285engage more effectively with Government.1286 OSTP will celebrate its 50th birthday in May, but the role1287of providing scientific and technical advice to the President1288is much older. Its precursor, the Office of Scientific Research1289and Development, led the Manhattan Project. And it was the1290President's Science Advisory Committee that recommended the1291creation of NASA, taking America to the Moon and victory in the1292space race.1293 Today, OSTP can lead America to victory in next race to1294achieve global dominance in AI and other critical and emerging1295technologies. In a letter to OSTP Director Michael Kratsios1296earlier this year, President Trump laid out three charges for1297the office: to secure our position as the unrivaled world1298leader in critical and emerging tech, to revitalize America's1299science and technology enterprise, and to ensure that1300scientific progress and technological innovation fuel economic1301growth and better the lives of all Americans.1302 Under Director Kratsios' leadership, OSTP has already taken1303significant actions to answer that charge, authoring America's1304AI Action Plan and drafting and working to assist in issuing1305Executive Orders to promote AI, accelerate nuclear energy, and1306spur advanced aviation. While much has been done, there is yet1307much to do.1308 If confirmed, my mission will be to continue implementation1309of those actions and to drive new efforts aimed at removing1310unnecessary barriers to innovation, leading national science1311and technology efforts across the ecosystem, and establishing1312new models for public-private partnerships. To meet today's1313challenges, OSTP must focus further on national tech policy,1314modernizing its models for Government to partner with academia1315and the private sector, which now leads a growing share of1316technological development. That requires a forward-leaning1317approach to public-private collaboration that reflects the1318realities of 21st century innovation.1319 Furthermore, technology now cuts across every domain of1320Government. Consequently, OSTP must more fully engage across1321the policymaking, operational, and implementation arms of the1322Federal Government. In addition to coordinating interagency R&D1323efforts, OSTP actions should further synchronize with national1324efforts in workforce development, infrastructure,1325manufacturing, and supply chains.1326 Emerging technologies promise to expand economic1327opportunity, improve public health, and enhance national1328security. Yet in policy discussions about their governance,1329discourse has at times leaned too far toward restraint, slowing1330the pace of progress.1331 As a technologist, I remain fundamentally hopeful that1332technology can improve American lives and further our Nation's1333flourishing. Thank you for your consideration, and I look1334forward to answering your questions.1335 [The prepared statement and biographical information of Mr.1336Klein follow:]13371338 Prepared Statement of Dr. Ethan A. Klein, Nominee for Associate1339 Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy1340 Good morning and thank you, Chairman Cruz, Ranking Member Cantwell,1341and other members of this esteemed committee for the opportunity to1342appear before you this morning.1343 It is the honor of my life to sit before this committee as1344President Donald J. Trump's nominee for Associate Director of the1345Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP).1346 I would like to begin by thanking the people without whom I would1347not be here today. To my parents, Steven and Shoshana, thank you for1348instilling in me a deep appreciation and respect for education and1349lifelong learning. To my twin sister, Dahlia, who will be starting as a1350professor of physics at the University of Chicago, thank you for1351setting the example of American scientific leadership we seek to1352preserve. And to the love of my life, my incredible wife, Jennifer, and1353her family, thank you for supporting me every step of this journey,1354from government service to academia and back again. I am the luckiest1355man in the world to have you as my life partner. To my friends and1356family--I love you all. And of course, I must give thanks to my G-d.1357 Our national science and technology ecosystem is the engine that1358has driven America to become the most innovative nation in the world,1359built on the bedrock of academia, industry, and government working in1360tandem. I am blessed to have worked across all three of these pillars,1361giving me a comprehensive perspective on how to fine-tune their1362interactions to maximize impact.1363 In the first Trump Administration, I served as a policy advisor in1364OSTP, leading emerging technology initiatives in artificial1365intelligence, unmanned aircraft systems, and agricultural1366biotechnology. I witnessed the role the government can play in laying1367the foundations of the technological revolutions defining our times.1368 My academic journey began in the public schools of South Jersey and1369brought me to the laboratories of MIT to study chemistry and physics as1370an undergraduate, and nuclear engineering for my Ph.D. During my1371graduate work, I explored new frontiers of nuclear technology in1372collaboration with our national laboratories.1373 Later, as an MBA student at Stanford, I saw firsthand how the co-1374location of capital and talent in Silicon Valley created an1375unparalleled innovation ecosystem. Across my roles, including in1376financial advisory and at a deep-tech incubator, I've engaged with1377hundreds of technology companies, spanning hyperscalers to university1378spin-outs, guiding them on how to engage more effectively with1379government.1380 OSTP will celebrate its 50th birthday in May, but the role of1381providing scientific and technical advice to the President is much1382older. Its precursor, the Office of Scientific Research and1383Development, led the Manhattan Project. And it was the President's1384Science Advisory Committee that recommended the creation of NASA,1385taking America to the Moon and victory in the Space Race. Today, OSTP1386can lead America to victory in the next race: to achieve global1387dominance in AI and other critical and emerging technologies.1388 In a letter to OSTP Director Michael Kratsios earlier this year,1389President Trump laid out three charges for the office: (i) to secure1390our position as the unrivaled world leader in critical and emerging1391technologies; (ii) to revitalize America's science and technology1392enterprise; and (iii) to ensure that scientific progress and1393technological innovation fuel economic growth and better the lives of1394all Americans. Under Director Kratsios' leadership, OSTP has already1395taken significant actions to answer that charge: authoring America's AI1396Action Plan and assisting the President with issuing executive orders1397to promote artificial intelligence, accelerate nuclear energy, and spur1398advanced aviation.1399 While much has been done, there is yet much to do. If confirmed, my1400mission will be to continue implementation of those actions and to1401drive new efforts aimed at removing unnecessary barriers to innovation,1402leading national science and technology efforts across the ecosystem,1403and establishing new models for public-private partnerships.1404 To meet today's challenges, OSTP must focus further on national1405technology policy, modernizing its models for government to partner1406with academia and the private sector, which now leads a growing share1407of technological development. That requires a forward-leaning approach1408to public-private collaboration that reflects the realities of 21st1409century innovation.1410 Furthermore, technology now cuts across every domain of government.1411Consequently, OSTP must more fully engage across the policymaking,1412operational, and implementation arms of the Federal Government. In1413addition to coordinating interagency R&D efforts, OSTP actions should1414further synchronize with national efforts in workforce development,1415infrastructure, manufacturing, and supply chains.1416 Emerging technologies promise to expand economic opportunity,1417improve public health, and enhance national security. Yet in policy1418discussions about their governance, discourse has at times leaned too1419far toward restraint, slowing the pace of progress. As a technologist,1420I remain fundamentally hopeful that technology can improve American1421lives and further our Nation's flourishing.1422 Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to answering1423your questions.1424 ______14251426 a. biographical information1427 1. Name (Include any former names or nicknames used): Ethan Avram1428Klein.1429 2. Position to which nominated: Associate Director for Technology,1430Office of Science and Technology Policy.1431 3. Date of Nomination: March 10, 2025.1432 4. Address (List current place of residence and office addresses):14331434 Residence: Information not released to the public.1435 Office: Information not provided.14361437 5. Date and Place of Birth: Philadelphia, PA, USA.1438 6. Provide the name, position, and place of employment for your1439spouse (if married) or domestic partner, and the names and ages of your1440children (including stepchildren and children by a previous marriage).14411442 Jennifer Lily Horowitz Klein, Senior Manager, Operations &1443 Strategy Maxar Technologies, Inc.14441445 7. List all college and graduate schools attended, whether or not1446you were granted a degree by the institution. Provide the name of the1447institution, the dates attended, the degree received, and the date of1448the degree.14491450 Massachusetts Institute of Technology1451 S.B. Chemistry & Physics (awarded June 2015)1452 Attended 08/2011-06/201514531454 Massachusetts Institute of Technology1455 Ph.D. Nuclear Science & Engineering (awarded September 2023)1456 Graduate Certificate in Technical Leadership (awarded May 2022)1457 Attended 09/2018-06/202314581459 Stanford University1460 MBA (expected June 2025)1461 Attended 09/2023-06/202514621463 8. List all post-undergraduate employment, including the job title,1464name of employer, and inclusive dates of employment, and highlight all1465management-level jobs held and any non-managerial jobs that relate to1466the position for which you are nominated.14671468 Science and Technology Policy Fellow, IDA Science and1469 Technology Policy Institute, 8/2015-5/201714701471 Policy Advisor for Emerging Technologies, White House Office of1472 Science and Technology Policy, 5/2017-7/201814731474 Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Nuclear Science and1475 Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 9/2018-8/1476 202314771478 Strategy Intern, Scale AI, 3/2021-1/202514791480 Government Venture Fellow, The Engine, 11/2022-5/202314811482 Summer Associate, Aerospace & Defense Group, Lazard, June 2024-1483 August 202414841485 9. Attach a copy of your resume.1486 See Attachment #1.1487 10. List any advisory, consultative, honorary, or other part-time1488service or positions with Federal, State, or local governments, other1489than those listed above after 18 years of age.14901491 Consultant, White House Office of Science and Technology1492 Policy, 8/2018-1/202114931494 Consultant, Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for1495 Research & Engineering, Department of Defense, 9/2020-1/202114961497 Consultant, White House Office of Science and Technology1498 Policy, 1/2025 to present14991500 11. List all positions held as an officer, director, trustee,1501partner, proprietor, agent, representative, or consultant of any1502corporation, company, firm, partnership, or other business, enterprise,1503educational, or other institution. None.1504 12. List all memberships you have had after 18 years of age or1505currently hold with any civic, social, charitable, educational,1506political, professional, fraternal, benevolent or religiously1507affiliated organization, private club, or other membership organization1508(You do not have to list your religious affiliation or membership in a1509religious house of worship or institution). Include dates of membership1510and any positions you have held with any organization. Please note1511whether any such club or organization restricts membership on the basis1512of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, or disability.15131514 Delta Tau Delta Fraternity, Beta Nu Chapter1515 Member, 2012-20151516 Philanthropy Chair, Alumni Chair; 2014-201515171518 American Chemical Society (ACS)1519 Student Member, 2012-201515201521 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)1522 Student Member, Nuclear & Plasma Sciences Society, 2019-202315231524 MIT Rowing Club1525 Member, 2019-202315261527 MIT Science Policy Review1528 Communications Director, 2019-20201529 Chief Innovation Officer, 2020-202115301531 MIT Graduate Student Council1532 Department of Nuclear Science & Engineering Representative,1533 2021-202215341535 Stanford U.S.-Russia Forum1536 Participant, Arms Control Working Group, 2019-20201537 Advisory Board Member, 2020-202115381539 Stanford Young Professionals Nuclear Forum1540 Member, 2020-202215411542 Stanford Jewish Business Students Association1543 Member, 2023-202515441545 Stanford University Graduate School of Business Aerospace &1546 Defense Club1547 Vice President, 2024-202515481549 Stanford DEFCON Tech & National Security Group1550 Co-President, 2024-202515511552 13. Have you ever been a candidate for and/or held a public office1553(elected, non-elected, or appointed)? If so, indicate whether any1554campaign has any outstanding debt, the amount, and whether you are1555personally liable for that debt. No.1556 14. List all memberships and offices held with and services1557rendered to, whether compensated or not, any political party or1558election committee within the past ten years. If you have held a paid1559position or served in a formal or official advisory position (whether1560compensated or not) in a political campaign within the past ten years,1561identify the particulars of the campaign, including the candidate, year1562of the campaign, and your title and responsibilities.15631564 Volunteer, Trump-Vance Transition, 9/2024-1/202515651566 15. Itemize all political contributions to any individual, campaign1567organization, political party, political action committee, or similar1568entity of $200 or more for the past ten years. None.1569 16. List all scholarships, fellowships, honorary degrees, honorary1570society memberships, military medals, and any other special recognition1571for outstanding service or achievements.15721573 National Merit Scholarship Finalist (2011)15741575 Fisher Prize, Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute1576 of Technology (2015)15771578 Science and Technology Policy Fellowship, Institute for Defense1579 Analyses (2015-2017)15801581 J.D. Williams Student Paper Award, Institute of Nuclear1582 Materials Management (2019)15831584 Arms Control Person(s) of the Year, Arms Control Association1585 (2019)15861587 Nuclear Nonproliferation International Safeguards Fellow,1588 National Nuclear Security Administration (2019-2023)15891590 Alpha Nu Sigma National Honor Society Inductee, American1591 Nuclear Society (2020)15921593 Government Venture Fellow, The Engine (2022-2023)15941595 Defense Innovation Scholar, Stanford University Gordian Knot1596 Center for National Security Innovation (2024)15971598 17. List all books, articles, columns, letters to the editor,1599Internet blog postings, or other publications you have authored,1600individually or with others. Include a link to each publication when1601possible. If a link is not available, provide a digital copy of the1602publication when available.16031604 ``A Buffer Gas Cooled Molecular Beam Apparatus for Chirped1605 Pulse Millimeter Wave Spectroscopy.'' MIT SB Thesis. June 2015.1606 https://dspace.mit.edu/bitstream/handle/1721.1/98781/921140858-1607 MIT.pdf16081609 ``Direct Detection of Rydberg-Rydberg Millimeter-Wave1610 Transitions in a Buffer Gas Cooled Molecular Beam.'' Chemical1611 Physics Letters. November 1, 2015. https://1612 www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/am/pii/S000926141500754X16131614 ``Examination of Plant Breeding at U.S. Academic Institutions1615 and Private Companies in 2015.'' Institute for Defense1616 Analyses. February 2016. https://www.ida.org/-/media/feature/1617 publications/e/ex/examination-of-plant-breeding-at-us-academic-1618 institutions-and-private-companies-in-2015/p-5331.ashx16191620 ``Driving Safety & Innovation on American Roadways: An Updated1621 Federal Policy on Auto Driving Systems.'' whitehouse.gov.1622 September 12, 2017. https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/1623 articles/driving-safety-innovation-american-roadways-updated-1624 federal-policy-auto-driving-systems/16251626 ``Technology Trends in Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS)1627 And Counter-UAS: A Five Year Outlook.'' Institute for Defense1628 Analyses. November 1, 2017. https://www.ida.org/-/media/1629 feature/publications/t/te/technology-trends-in-small-unmanned-1630 aircraft-systems-suas-and-counter-uas-a-five-year-outlook/p-1631 8823.ashx16321633 ``Epithermal Neutron Transmission Imaging for Nuclear Security1634 Applications.'' Proceedings of the 60th Annual Meeting of the1635 Institute of Nuclear Materials Management. July 14-18, 2019.1636 https://resources.inmm.org/annual-meeting-proceedings/1637 epithermal-neutron-transmission-imaging-nuclear-security-1638 applications16391640 ``Feasibility Study of a Compact Neutron Resonance Transmission1641 Analysis Instrument.'' AIP Advances. January 28, 2020. https://1642 pubs.aip.org/aip/adv/article/10/1/015051/107648216431644 ``Nuclear Arms Control in an Evolving World: Evaluating the1645 Effects of Emerging Technologies on Strategic Stability.''1646 Stanford U.S.-Russia Forum Journal. June 26, 2020. https://1647 ojs.stanford.edu/ojs/index.php/surfj/article/view/1727/133716481649 ``Epithermal Neutron Resonance Analysis Using a Compact DT1650 Generator.'' Proceedings of the 61st Annual Meeting of the1651 Institute of Nuclear Materials Management. July 12-16, 2020.1652 https://resources.inmm.org/annual-meeting-proceedings/1653 epithermal-neutron-resonance-analysis-using-compact-dt-1654 generator16551656 ``Our Remaining Options for Preventing a Nuclear Iran.'' MIT1657 Science Policy Review. December 21, 2020. https://1658 sciencepolicyreview.org/2020/12/our-remaining-options-for-1659 preventing-a-nuclear-iran/16601661 ``Neutron-Resonance Transmission Analysis with a Compact1662 Deuterium-Tritium Neutron Generator.'' Physical Review Applied.1663 May 13, 2021. https://journals.aps.org/prapplied/abstract/1664 10.1103/PhysRevApplied.15.05402616651666 ``An Interview with the Hon. Chris Fall: On Fostering1667 Innovation in Federal Research & Development.'' MIT Science1668 Policy Review. August 30, 2021. https://1669 sciencepolicyreview.org/2021/08/chris-falll-fostering-1670 innovation-federal-research/16711672 ``Neutron Resonance Transmission Analysis (NRTA) for Nuclear1673 Fuel Characterization Using a Portable DT Neutron Generator.''1674 Proceedings of the INMM & ESARDA Joint Virtual Annual Meeting.1675 September 1, 2021. https://resources1676 .inmm.org/sites/default/files/2021-09/a114.pdf16771678 ``Additive Manufacturing of Multimaterial Composites for1679 Radiation Shielding and Thermal Management.'' ACS Applied1680 Materials & Interfaces. June 8, 2023. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/1681 abs/10.1021/acsami.2c2247816821683 ``Neutron Resonance Transmission Analysis of Nuclear Material1684 Using a Portable D-T Neutron Generator.'' MIT PhD Thesis.1685 September 2023. https://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/15288416861687 ``Neutron Resonance Transmission Analysis Prototype System for1688 Thorium Fuel Cycle Safeguards.'' Nuclear Instruments and1689 Methods in Physics Research Section A. May 2024. https://1690 www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0161691 890022400074316921693 18. List all speeches, panel discussions, and presentations (e.g.,1694PowerPoint) that you have given on topics relevant to the position for1695which you have been nominated. Include a link to each publication when1696possible. If a link is not available, provide a digital copy of the1697speech or presentation when available.16981699 ``Assessing the Role and Impact of Geospatial Data for Wildland1700 Fire Management Decisions.'' 2016 American Geophysical Union1701 Fall Meeting. December 14, 2016.17021703 Keynote Remarks. Commercial Drone Alliance Domestic Drone1704 Security Summit. November 28, 2017.17051706 ``Incorporating Drones and Self Driving Vehicles into1707 Communities.'' 2018 Consumer Electronics Show. January 10,1708 2018.17091710 ``74 Years of Nuclear Disarmament and the Contribution of Youth1711 beyond 2020'' Panel. United Nations Headquarters. January 24,1712 2020. https://disarma1713 ment.unoda.org/update/74-years-of-nuclear-disarmament-1714 contribution-of-youth-beyond-202017151716 ``Epithermal Neutron Resonance Imaging for Nuclear1717 Disarmament.'' 2020 MIT Nuclear Science & Engineering Research1718 Expo. March 2020. https://web.mit1719 .edu/nse/news/2020/graduate-research-expo.html17201721 ``Neutrons for Nuclear Security: Using Portable Neutron1722 Generators to Analyze Nuclear Material.'' 2021 MIT Nuclear1723 Science & Engineering Research Expo. March 19, 2021. https://1724 web.mit.edu/nse/news/2021/graduate-research-expo1725 .html17261727 ``AI and Global Competitiveness'' Panel (moderator). 20241728 Stanford Conference on Tech + National Security. November 1,1729 2023.17301731 ``The R&D Ecosystem for Critical Technologies'' Panel1732 (moderator). 2025 Stanford Conference on Tech + National1733 Security. October 9, 2024. https://www.stanforddefcon.org/1734 program17351736 19. List all public statements you have made during the past ten1737years, including statements in news articles and radio and podcasts and1738television appearances, which are on topics relevant to the position1739for which you have been nominated, including dates. Include a link to1740each statement when possible. If a link is not available, provide a1741digital copy of the statement when available.17421743 ``Portable technology offers boost for nuclear security, arms1744 control.'' MIT News, June 10, 2021. https://news.mit.edu/2021/1745 portable-technology-offers-boost-nuclear-security-arms-control-1746 061017471748 20. List all digital platforms (including social media and other1749digital content sites) on which you currently or have formerly operated1750an account, regardless of whether or not the account was held in your1751name or an alias. Include the full name of an ``alias'' or ``handle'',1752including the complete URL and username with hyperlinks, you have used1753on each of the named platforms. Indicate whether the account is active,1754deleted, or dormant. Include a link to each account if possible.17551756 LinkedIn: ethan-a-klein (active), https://www.linkedin.com/in/1757 ethan-a-klein/17581759 Instagram: eakleinstagram (active), https://www.instagram.com/1760 eakleinstagram17611762 Facebook: ethanavramklein (deactivated)17631764 Twitter/X: realeaklein (deactivated)17651766 21. Please identify each instance in which you have testified1767orally or in writing before Congress in a governmental or non-1768governmental capacity and specify the date, committee, and subject1769matter of each testimony. Not Applicable.1770 22. Given the current mission, major programs, and major1771operational objectives of the department/agency/commission/corporation1772to which you have been nominated, what in your background or employment1773experience do you believe affirmatively qualifies you for appointment1774to the position for which you have been nominated, and why do you wish1775to serve in that position?1776 The Office of Science and Technology Policy plays a critically1777important role in advising the President on science and technology1778(S&T) matters and in coordinating S&T strategy across the Executive1779Branch. At a time when science and technology are central to nearly1780every dimension of national policy, from economic growth and public1781health to national defense and geostrategic competition, OSTP's role as1782a source of expert guidance and S&T policy coordination has never been1783more essential. Our country needs a U.S. Chief Technology Officer who1784has not only a strong technical background, but also an intimate1785understanding of OSTP's roles and functions, and how to make the office1786effective in practice. The role demands experience bridging academia,1787industry, and the national laboratories, and an appreciation for how1788these institutions interact to form the broader American S&T1789enterprise.1790 I have had the privilege of working at the heart of the R&D1791ecosystem and believe I bring precisely the combination of experience,1792perspective, and institutional knowledge this role requires. I am1793exceedingly familiar with both the office of OSTP and the role of1794USCTO. After supporting OSTP for two years as a contractor, I served in1795OSTP for three and a half years as a policy advisor supporting the last1796USCTO. During that time, I advised on a broad portfolio of critical and1797emerging technologies and drafted numerous executive orders that were1798signed by the President.1799 I was a lead author of EO 13859 ``Maintaining American Leadership1800in Artificial Intelligence,'' which increased Federal investment and1801resources for AI research and development, efforts which were codified1802into law as part of the National AI Initiative Act of 2020. I authored1803executive action establishing the FAA Unmanned Aircraft Systems1804Integration Pilot Program to increase innovative drone operations for1805commercial and public safety objectives across the country, which was1806expanded upon in the 2024 FAA Reauthorization. I also helped draft EO180713874 ``Modernizing the Regulatory Framework for Agricultural1808Biotechnology'' to increase public confidence in the biotech regulatory1809system and prevent unnecessary barriers to biotech innovation. Lastly,1810I led interagency policy development efforts on critical technologies1811like nuclear fusion, drafted guidance on Federal research and1812development budget priorities, and coordinated Presidential convenings1813on topics including ``American Leadership in Emerging Technologies''1814and ``AI for American Industry.''1815 Within the government, I worked closely with my counterparts across1816the Executive Branch, Congress, and key stakeholders in industry and1817academia to advance national efforts in AI, unmanned systems,1818biotechnology, and nuclear fusion. Outside of government, I've worked1819closely with ``little tech,'' early-stage, deep technology companies1820which had spun out of research labs at leading universities and1821national labs to work at the frontier of science and engineering.1822 I believe the role of Associate OSTP Director for Technology is not1823an IT position nor an R&D position, but rather requires a deep1824understanding of emerging technologies, manufacturing and industrial1825capabilities, supply chains, and the commercialization pipeline that1826turns bench-scale science into products that shape markets and serve1827the public good. I've supported tech transfer and lab commercialization1828efforts, advised startups on how to engage with Federal R&D programs,1829and worked to bridge the public-private divide. I've also worked in and1830studied the market dynamics and business challenges that tech-intensive1831firms face as they scale.1832 I feel very strongly that scientists and engineers have a1833responsibility to serve, bringing their scientific and technical1834expertise to support their government and the American people.1835 OSTP was created to ensure that the best scientific and technical1836advice informs the highest levels of national decision-making. That1837charge has only grown more urgent. The coming decade will be defined by1838how we manage and lead in emerging technologies and how we translate1839scientific progress into real-world impact for the American people. It1840would be an honor to bring my experience to service in the role of1841USCTO at this critical moment in our country's history.1842 23. What do you believe are your responsibilities, if confirmed, to1843ensure that the department/agency/commission/corporation has proper1844management and accounting controls, and what experience do you have in1845managing a large organization?1846 While OSTP is not a large agency in terms of budget or personnel,1847it plays an outsized role in shaping national science and technology1848policy and coordinating efforts across the Executive Office of the1849President and the broader Federal government. OSTP operates more like a1850strategic hub than a hierarchical bureaucracy, requiring convening,1851coordinating, and leading cross-agency initiatives and fast-moving1852tiger teams that cut across traditional silos.1853 As such, effective management of the office is less about1854overseeing a large organizational chart and more about ensuring that a1855small, high-performing team is empowered, aligned, and delivering on1856the President's science and technology agenda.1857 If confirmed, my responsibility would be to ensure that OSTP's1858staff, resources, and external engagements are tightly aligned with the1859Administration's priorities and that the office is operating with1860transparency, integrity, and fiscal discipline. That includes1861establishing clear expectations, fostering a collaborative environment,1862and ensuring that each advisor's work is tied to clear outcomes and1863strategic goals. It also requires diligence in budget execution, proper1864stewardship of interagency and stakeholder partnerships, and a culture1865of accountability in all aspects of policy development and public1866engagement.1867 I have led diverse and interdisciplinary teams in multiple1868contexts. During my Ph.D. at MIT, I worked on large, collaborative1869projects involving national laboratories, academic researchers, and1870junior graduate students, efforts that required coordination across1871institutional boundaries and mentorship of early-career scientists. I1872found it deeply rewarding to help others succeed and to build1873environments where people could do their best work.1874 In a small but high-impact office like OSTP, effective leadership1875is about setting a clear vision, aligning people to purpose, and1876ensuring that every action taken serves the public interest. I take1877that responsibility seriously and would be honored to support the1878President and the American people in advancing the Nation's scientific1879and technological leadership.1880 24. What do you believe to be the top three challenges facing the1881department/agency/commission/corporation, and why?1882 The three priority areas of effort for the Office of Science and1883Technology Policy were articulated by President Trump in his March1884letter to OSTP Director Kratsios:18851886 1. Securing the United States' position as the unrivaled world1887 leader in critical and emerging technologies such as artificial1888 intelligence, quantum information science, and nuclear1889 technology.18901891 2. Revitalizing the American science and technology enterprise by1892 empowering researchers, reducing administrative burdens, and1893 recommitting to the pursuit of truth; and18941895 3. Ensuring that scientific progress and technological innovation1896 fuel broad-based economic growth and improve the lives of all1897 Americans.18981899 If confirmed, these pillars will shape the foundation of my work as1900U.S. Chief Technology Officers. Yet in pursuing this mission, OSTP1901faces three core challenges that must be met to fully realize this1902vision.1903 First, OSTP must reassert a strong pro-innovation voice in national1904policy. The United States should not just manage technology, it must1905actively champion its development. That begins with recognizing the1906tremendous promise of emerging technologies to expand economic1907opportunity, improve public health, and enhance national security.1908While acknowledging legitimate risks, the national conversation has at1909times leaned too far toward restraint rather than progress. As a1910technologist, I am fundamentally optimistic: when stewarded with care,1911technology improves lives and advances human flourishing. If confirmed,1912I will work to secure reestablish that leadership on technological1913innovation and competitiveness, pursuing policies that accelerate the1914responsible development of emerging technologies, reduce unnecessary1915regulatory friction, promote Federal adoption of innovation, and1916strengthen the ability of American companies to export their1917technologies abroad.1918 Second, OSTP must improve coordination of science and technology1919efforts across the vast Federal interagency landscape. Technology now1920cuts across every domain of government, from national security to1921economic growth. As such, OSTP must expand its role beyond traditional1922R&D coordination and more fully engage with policy, operational, and1923implementation arms of the Federal Government. Leveraging the National1924Science and Technology Council, the primary body for interagency S&T1925coordination, will be essential, but so too will deepen alignment with1926national efforts in workforce development, infrastructure,1927manufacturing, and supply chain security. As science and technology1928become more central to the operations and effectiveness of government,1929OSTP must evolve to be not just a convener of scientists, but a1930strategic integrator across disciplines and departments.1931 Third, OSTP must help the Federal Government modernize its models1932for partnering with the private sector and academia, which now lead a1933growing share of technological development. Following World War II, the1934Federal Government created new institutions such as the National1935Science Foundation and the Department of Energy's national laboratories1936to form the new scientific enterprise. While these institutions remain1937essential, much of today's innovation is being driven by a new1938generation of university spin-outs, venture-backed startups, and1939industrial R&D. Yet OSTP has historically focused on advising the1940President on scientific research. To meet today's challenges, OSTP must1941also lead on national technology policy, including taking a more active1942role in promoting technological development, commercialization, and1943scale across the full breadth of the R&D ecosystem. That requires more1944dynamic partnerships with industry, support for tech transfer and lab-1945to-market pipelines, and a forward-leaning approach to public-private1946collaboration that reflects the realities of 21st century innovation.1947 If confirmed, I will bring my experience across government,1948academia, and industry to help OSTP meet this moment and to ensure that1949America remains the global leader in science, technology, and1950innovation.1951 b. potential conflicts of interest1952 1. Describe all financial arrangements, deferred compensation1953agreements, and other continuing dealings with business associates,1954clients, or customers. Please include information related to retirement1955accounts, such as a 401(k) or pension plan. None.1956 2. Do you have any commitments or agreements, formal or informal,1957to maintain employment, affiliation, or practice with any business,1958association, or other organization during your appointment? If so,1959please explain. None.1960 3. Indicate any investments, obligations, liabilities, or other1961relationships which could involve potential conflicts of interest in1962the position to which you have been nominated. Explain how you will1963resolve each potential conflict of interest. None.1964 4. Describe any business relationship, dealing, or financial1965transaction which you have had during the last ten years, whether for1966yourself, on behalf of a client, or acting as an agent, that could in1967any way constitute or result in a possible conflict of interest in the1968position to which you have been nominated. Explain how you will resolve1969each potential conflict of interest.1970 Not applicable.1971 5. Identify any other potential conflicts of interest and explain1972how you will resolve each potential conflict of interest.1973 My wife is currently employed as a senior manager for strategy and1974operations at Maxar Technologies, Inc. She is involved with satellite1975imagery contracts to U.S. Government customers in the Department of1976Defense and Intelligence Community. I have an ethics agreement in place1977with OSTP Office of the General Counsel. As part of the ethics1978agreement, I will recuse myself from any matters related to commercial1979satellite imagery sales to U.S. Government entities, including any1980particular matters that may have an impact on Maxar Technologies, Inc.1981 OSTP's ethics counsel and the Office of Government Ethics (OGE)1982have determined that the underlying holdings in Family Trust #2 do not1983pose conflicts of interest. Please note that this is an Excepted Trust.1984Pursuant to the trust documents, I am not entitled to information about1985the underlying holdings. The trustee will not provide me information1986about the underlying holdings in the future.1987 I have also completed the initial ethics briefing as soon as I1988onboarded at OSTP. I will also make sure that I receive a live ethics1989briefing from a member of the ethics office after my confirmation but1990not later than 15 days after my appointment.1991 6. Describe any activity during the past ten years, including the1992names of clients represented, in which you have been engaged for the1993purpose of directly or indirectly influencing the passage, defeat, or1994modification of any legislation or affecting the administration and1995execution of law or public policy. None.1996 c. legal matters1997 1. Have you ever been disciplined or cited for a breach of ethics,1998professional misconduct, or retaliation by, or been the subject of a1999complaint to, any court, administrative agency, the Office of Special2000Counsel, an Inspector General, professional association, disciplinary2001committee, or other professional group? If yes:20022003 a. Provide the name of the court, agency, association, committee, or2004 group;20052006 b. Provide the date the citation, disciplinary action, complaint, or2007 personnel action was issued or initiated;20082009 c. Describe the citation, disciplinary action, complaint, or2010 personnel action;20112012 d. Provide the results of the citation, disciplinary action,2013 complaint, or personnel action.2014 No.2015 2. Have you ever been investigated, arrested, charged, or held by2016any Federal, State, or other law enforcement authority of any Federal,2017State, county, municipal, or foreign government entity, other than for2018a minor traffic offense? If so, please explain. No.2019 3. Have you or any business or nonprofit of which you are or were2020an officer ever been involved as a party in an administrative agency2021proceeding, criminal proceeding, or civil litigation? If so, please2022explain. No.2023 4. Have you ever been convicted (including pleas of guilty or nolo2024contendere) of any criminal violation other than a minor traffic2025offense? If so, please explain. No.2026 5. Have you ever been accused, formally or informally, of sexual2027assault, sexual harassment, or discrimination on the basis of sex,2028race, religion, or any other basis? If so, please explain. No.2029 6. Please advise the Committee of any additional information,2030favorable or unfavorable, which you feel should be disclosed in2031connection with your nomination.2032 Not applicable.2033 d. relationship with committee2034 1. Will you ensure that your department/agency/commission/2035corporation complies with deadlines for information set by2036congressional committees, and that your department/agency/commission/2037corporation endeavors to timely comply with requests for information2038from individual Members of Congress, including requests from members in2039the minority? Yes.2040 2. Will you ensure that your department/agency/commission/2041corporation does whatever it can to protect congressional witnesses and2042whistleblowers from reprisal for their testimony and disclosures? Yes.2043 3. Will you cooperate in providing the Committee with requested2044witnesses, including technical experts and career employees, with2045firsthand knowledge of matters of interest to the Committee? Yes.2046 4. Are you willing to appear and testify before any duly2047constituted committee of the Congress on such occasions as you may be2048reasonably requested to do so? Yes.2049 ______20502051[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]20522053 The Chairman. Thank you. Ms. Meyer.20542055 STATEMENT OF JOYCE MEYER, NOMINEE FOR2056 UNDER SECRETARY OF COMMERCE FOR ECONOMIC AFFAIRS,2057 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE20582059 Ms. Meyer. Thank you, Chairman Cruz, Ranking Member2060Cantwell, and members of the Committee for the opportunity to2061appear before you today. I am honored to be here as President2062Trump's nominee for Under Secretary of Economic Affairs at the2063Department of Commerce, which oversees the BEA, the Bureau of2064Economic Analysis, and the Census Bureau.2065 Before I begin, I would like to thank President Trump for2066nominating me to serve this great country, and Secretary2067Lutnick for his support of my nomination. I also want to2068recognize those who are supporting me today. First, my husband,2069Donald Meyer. Don and I met in college at the University of2070Wisconsin-Madison, and it has been an adventure of a lifetime2071since then.2072 Our daughter Evangelina made that adventure even better.2073Ava is missing class today with approval from her professors,2074and I am beyond grateful to Don and Ava for their constant love2075and support. I appreciate too the support of my closest family2076and friends who are here today and watching online.2077 I also want to recognize my late brother, Michael Yamat.2078Mikey died when we were teenagers, but his legacy continues to2079inspire me. Finally, I want to thank the first people who2080believed in me, my mom, Evelyn Yamat, a retired accountant, and2081my dad, Miguel Yamat, a retired engineer.2082 My mom has entrusted to me an important family heirloom2083which I bring here today, our family's American flag. She2084received this flag when she was sworn in as a naturalized U.S.2085citizen many years ago. It has always been placed next to the2086front door of our homes, first in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,2087where I was born, and again in Franklin, Wisconsin, where I2088grew up.2089 It was and is a daily reminder of how blessed we are to2090live in the United States. It was also placed by the front door2091with reverence, so it could easily be retrieved in case of a2092house fire. This deep love of country is what led me to a 25-2093year career in public service. I was honored to serve in many2094roles on Capitol Hill, including as Professional Staff Member2095of the now Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs2096Committee, as Staff Director of the House Ways and Means2097Committee, and as Deputy Chief of Staff in the Office of the2098Speaker of the House.2099 I also had the honor of serving in President Trump's first2100White House as Deputy Assistant to the President for2101Legislative Affairs for the House. Throughout my public2102service, carrying out Constitutional responsibilities depended2103on many critical components, including accurate, reliable data2104from the BEA and the Census Bureau.2105 If confirmed, I will rely on my decades of service as an2106end user of this data. I will rely on the analytical skills I2107gained earning my executive MBA at Georgetown University. I2108will rely on my extensive experience leading large, complex2109teams. And I will rely on the impressive expertise within the2110BEA and Census. In the Speaker's Office as Deputy Chief of2111Staff, overseeing the institutional responsibilities required2112careful focus to support more than 10,000 House employees in2113the D.C. area and throughout the country.2114 The BEA and the Census Bureau also focuses on every area of2115the country at the local, State, regional, and national level,2116as outlined by the Constitution and statute. For example, the2117BEA data informs work on Capitol Hill, from the CBO baseline to2118the maximum annual rental rate for your home State Senate2119offices.2120 And of course, BEA's calculation of the GDP informs2121decisions by policymakers and the business community. The2122Census Bureau carries out the decennial census and does vital2123work throughout each decade, including the well-known American2124Community Survey, which informs key economic indicators. If2125confirmed, I want to build upon the good work of both bureaus2126by focusing for the American people on three goals.2127 First, ensuring the integrity and accuracy of data. The2128economy is always changing, with new markets emerging at a2129rapid pace. For data to be relevant, it must continue to2130accurately capture all dimensions of the economy. Second,2131leveraging technology to improve speed of data and analysis.2132Data needs to be timely and relevant. Optimizing the existing2133analytical talent will require faster data.2134 And three, achieving efficiency. The Federal Government has2135multiple statistical offices. We owe it to American taxpayers2136to strive for better ways to deliver data and analysis2137efficiently, and not overlook any technological capabilities to2138do so.2139 If confirmed, I look forward to these opportunities and for2140the honor to serve a country whose greatness endures as2141symbolized by our family's American flag. Thank you for the2142opportunity to be here. I look forward to your questions.2143 [The prepared statement and biographical information of Ms.2144Meyer follow:]21452146 Prepared Statement of Joyce Meyer, Nominee for Under Secretary of2147 Commerce for Economic Affairs, U.S. Department of Commerce2148 Thank you, Chairman Cruz, Ranking Member Cantwell, and members of2149the committee for the opportunity to appear before you today.2150 I am honored to be here as President Trump's nominee for2151Undersecretary of Economic Affairs at the Department of Commerce, which2152oversees the BEA (Bureau of Economic Analysis) and the Census Bureau.2153 Before I begin, I would like to thank President Trump for2154nominating me to serve this great country and Secretary Lutnick for his2155support of my nomination.2156 I also want to recognize those who are supporting me today:2157 First, my husband, Donald Meyer. Don and I met in college at the2158University of Wisconsin-Madison and it has been an adventure of a2159lifetime since then.2160 Our daughter, Evangelina, made that adventure even better. Eva is2161missing class today with approval from her professors. I am beyond2162grateful to Don and Eva for their constant love and support.2163 I appreciate too the support of my family and friends who are here2164today and watching online.2165 I also want to recognize my late brother, Michael Yamat. Mikey died2166when we were teenagers, but his legacy continues to inspire me.2167 Finally, I want to thank the first people who believed in me--my2168mom, Evelyn Yamat, a retired accountant, and my dad, Miguel Yamat, a2169retired engineer.2170 My mom has entrusted to me an important family heirloom, which I2171bring here today--our family's American flag.2172 She received this flag when she was sworn in as a naturalized U.S.2173Citizen many years ago.2174 It has always been placed next to the front door of our homes--2175first in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where I was born, and again in2176Franklin, Wisconsin where I grew up. It was and is a daily reminder of2177how blessed we are to live in the United States. It was also placed by2178the front door with reverence so it could easily be retrieved in case2179of a house fire.2180 This deep love of country is what led me to a 25-year career in2181public service.2182 I was honored to serve in many roles on Capitol Hill, including as2183a professional staff member of the now Senate Homeland Security and2184Governmental Affairs Committee; as Staff Director of the House Ways and2185Means Committee; and as Deputy Chief of Staff in the Office of the2186Speaker of the House.2187 I also had the honor of serving in President Trump's first White2188House as Deputy Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs for2189the House.2190 Throughout my public service, carrying out constitutional2191responsibilities depended on many critical components--including2192accurate, reliable data from the BEA and the Census Bureau.2193 If confirmed, I will rely on my decades of service as an end user2194of this data. I will rely on the analytical skills I gained earning my2195Executive MBA at Georgetown University. I will rely on my extensive2196experience leading large, complex teams.2197 And finally, I will rely on the impressive expertise within the BEA2198and Census.2199 In the Speaker's office, as Deputy Chief of Staff, overseeing the2200institutional responsibilities required careful focus to support more2201than 10,000 House employees in the DC area and throughout the country.2202 The BEA and the Census Bureau also focus on every area of the2203country at the local, state, regional, and national level, as outlined2204by the Constitution and statute.2205 For example, BEA data informs work on Capitol Hill--from the CBO2206baseline to the maximum annual rental rate for your home state Senate2207offices. And, of course, BEA's calculation of the GDP informs decisions2208by policy makers and the business community.2209 The Census Bureau carries out the decennial census, and does vital2210work throughout each decade, including the well-known American2211Community Survey (ACS), which informs key economic indicators.2212 If confirmed, I want to build upon the good work of both bureaus by2213focusing on three goals:22142215 1. Ensuring the integrity & accuracy of data: The economy is always2216 changing with new markets emerging at a rapid pace. For data to2217 be relevant, it must continue to accurately capture all2218 dimensions of the economy.22192220 2. Leveraging technology to improve speed of data and analysis: Data2221 needs to be timely and relevant. Optimizing the existing2222 analytical talent will require faster data.22232224 3. Achieving efficiency: The Federal government has multiple2225 statistical offices. We owe it to American taxpayers to strive2226 for better ways to deliver data and analysis efficiently and2227 not overlook any technological capabilities to do so.22282229 If confirmed, I look forward to these opportunities and for the2230honor to serve a country whose greatness endures as symbolized by our2231family's American flag.2232 Thank you for the opportunity to be here. I look forward to your2233questions.2234 ______22352236 a. biographical information2237 1. Name (Include any former names or nicknames used):22382239 Joyce Yamat Meyer2240 Joyce Jennifer Yamat (maiden)2241 Childhood nickname: JJ22422243 2. Position to which nominated: Undersecretary of Economic Affairs,2244U.S. Department of Commerce.2245 3. Date of Nomination: March 31, 2025.2246 4. Address (List current place of residence and office addresses):22472248 Residence: Information not released to the public.2249 Office: Information not provided.22502251 5. Date and Place of Birth: Pittsburgh, PA (USA).2252 6. Provide the name, position, and place of employment for your2253spouse (if married) or domestic partner, and the names and ages of your2254children (including stepchildren and children by a previous marriage).22552256 Spouse: Donald Meyer, Principal & Founder, Westfourth2257 Communications LLC2258 Child: Evangelina Meyer, age 2122592260 7. List all college and graduate schools attended, whether or not2261you were granted a degree by the institution. Provide the name of the2262institution, the dates attended, the degree received, and the date of2263the degree.22642265 Georgetown University McDonough School of Business (2021-2023).2266 Degree: EMBA 202322672268 University of Wisconsin-Madison (1989-1993)2269 Degree: BA, political science and international relations 199322702271 8. List all post-undergraduate employment, including the job title,2272name of employer, and inclusive dates of employment, and highlight all2273management-level jobs held and any non-managerial jobs that relate to2274the position for which you are nominated.22752276 Advisor/Detailee2277 Presidential Personnel Office2278 Executive Office of the President2279 President Donald J. Trump2280 The White House2281 March 2025 to present22822283 Senior Advisor2284 Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs2285 Office of the Secretary2286 Secretary Howard Lutnick2287 U.S. Department of Commerce2288 March 2025 to present22892290 Advisor2291 Trump Vance 2025 Transition, Inc.2292 August 2024-February 202522932294 Executive Vice President of Government Relations2295 American Council of Life Insurers2296 January 2019-April 202422972298 Senior Advisor2299 Office of the Speaker2300 Speaker Paul Ryan (WI)2301 October 2018-January 201923022303 Advisor2304 House Committee on Financial Services2305 Chairman Jeb Hensarling2306 October 2018-January 201923072308 Deputy Assistant to the President2309 House Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs2310 Office of Legislative Affairs2311 Executive Office of the President2312 President Donald J. Trump2313 February 2017-October 201823142315 Deputy Chief of Staff2316 Office of the Speaker2317 Speaker Paul Ryan (WI)2318 October 2015-February 201723192320 Staff Director2321 House Ways and Means Committee2322 Chairman Paul Ryan (WI)2323 January 2015-October 201523242325 Chief of Staff/AA/LD2326 Washington, DC office of Rep. Paul Ryan (WI)2327 January 1999-January 201523282329 Advisor2330 Romney-Ryan Presidential Campaign2331 August 2012-November 201223322333 Professional Staff Member2334 Subcommittee on Oversight, Government Management and District2335 of Columbia2336 Committee on Governmental Affairs2337 U.S. Senate2338 Subcommittee Chairman Sam Brownback (KS)2339 Committee Chairman Fred Thompson (TN)2340 January 1997-January 199923412342 Legislative Assistant/Legislative Correspondent2343 Office of Rep. Scott Klug (WI)2344 August 1993-January 199723452346 9. Attach a copy of your resume.2347 Please see the attached document entitled JoyceMeyer.20252348 10. List any advisory, consultative, honorary, or other part-time2349service or positions with Federal, State, or local governments, other2350than those listed above after 18 years of age.23512352 Assistant to the Registrar (part-time)2353 Grants Intern (part-time)2354 University of Wisconsin Centers2355 1992-199323562357 Campus Tour Guide (part-time)2358 Office of Admissions2359 University of Wisconsin-Madison2360 Summer 199223612362 11. List all positions held as an officer, director, trustee,2363partner, proprietor, agent, representative, or consultant of any2364corporation, company, firm, partnership, or other business, enterprise,2365educational, or other institution.23662367 Former Trustee2368 Board of Trustees2369 U.S. Capital Historical Society2370 Washington, DC23712372 Former Member2373 Leadership Council2374 Leadership Council of Women in National Security2375 Washington, DC23762377 Former Member2378 Board of Directors2379 Tax Coalition2380 Washington, DC23812382 Co-founder2383 Mary Mross Public Policy Scholarship2384 Divine Savior Holy Angels High School2385 Milwaukee, WI23862387 12. List all memberships you have had after 18 years of age or2388currently hold with any civic, social, charitable, educational,2389political, professional, fraternal, benevolent or religiously2390affiliated organization, private club, or other membership organization2391(You do not have to list your religious affiliation or membership in a2392religious house of worship or institution). Include dates of membership2393and any positions you have held with any organization. Please note2394whether any such club or organization restricts membership on the basis2395of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, or disability.23962397 Member2398 Cambridge Yacht Club2399 2024 to present24002401 Member2402 Army Navy Country Club2403 2015 to present24042405 Member2406 Capital Hill Club2407 2015 to present24082409 13. Have you ever been a candidate for and/or held a public office2410(elected, non-elected, or appointed)? If so, indicate whether any2411campaign has any outstanding debt, the amount, and whether you are2412personally liable for that debt.2413 Not Applicable.2414 14. List all memberships and offices held with and services2415rendered to, whether compensated or not, any political party or2416election committee within the past ten years. If you have held a paid2417position or served in a formal or official advisory position (whether2418compensated or not) in a political campaign within the past ten years,2419identify the particulars of the campaign, including the candidate, year2420of the campaign, and your title and responsibilities. Not Applicable.2421 15. Itemize all political contributions to any individual, campaign2422organization, political party, political action committee, or similar2423entity of $200 or more for the past ten years.24242425------------------------------------------------------------------------24262427------------------------------------------------------------------------2428Senator Joni Ernst (IA) $1,0002429Speaker Kevin McCarthy (CA) $3,3002430Chairman Jason Smith (MO) $3,5002431Senator Kyrsten Sinema (AZ) $3,3002432ACLI PAC $6,2402433Congressman Mike Gallagher (WI) $3,3002434Majority Committee PAC $5,0002435McCarthy Victory Fund $15,0002436Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI) $3,3002437Congressman Bryan Steil (WI) $3,3002438National Republican Congressional Committee $3,4002439Innovation PAC $5,0002440Congressman Mike Johnson (LA) $5,0002441Roger James Roth, Jr. (WI) $5002442ACLI PAC $9,9842443Congressman Mike Gallagher (WI) $3,5002444Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (IA) $1,0002445VIEW PAC $1,0002446Congresswoman Jackie Walorski (IN) $5002447Senator John Thune (SD) $2,0002448Congresswoman Liz Cheney (WY) $2,5002449Congressman Bryan Steil (WI) $4,4002450Eye of the Tiger PAC $2,5002451Senator Todd Young (IN) $2,9002452Senator John Cornyn (TX) $1,0002453Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (NY) $2,0002454Congressman Glenn Grothman (WI) $2,5002455Senator Mitch McConnell $2,8002456Congressman Tom Tiffany (WI) $2,5002457VIEW PAC $1,0002458National Republican Congressional Committee $5002459Republican Party of Kentucky $5,0002460Senator Joni Ernst (IA) $2,8002461Madison Cawthorn (NC) $5002462Senator Cory Gardner (CO) $7002463Congressman Bryan Steil (WI) $2,5002464Senator Thom Tillis (NC) $7002465ACLI PAC $9,5712466National Republican Senatorial Committee $5002467Congressman Mike Gallagher (WI) $2,8002468Congressman Scott Fitzgerald (WI) $5,0002469------------------------------------------------------------------------24702471 16. List all scholarships, fellowships, honorary degrees, honorary2472society memberships, military medals, and any other special recognition2473for outstanding service or achievements.24742475 Georgetown University McDonough School of Business EMBA program2476 scholarship24772478 Distinguished Young Woman of the Year (formerly America's2479 Junior Miss program) undergraduate scholarship24802481 Wisconsin Conservatory of Music Scholarship (classical piano)24822483 Most Influential People in Economic Policy (Washingtonian Media2484 Inc.)24852486 Top Lobbyist (The Hill)24872488 Top Lobbyist (National Institute for Lobbying and Ethics)24892490 Politico's Playbook Power List (Politico)24912492 17. List all books, articles, columns, letters to the editor,2493Internet blog postings, or other publications you have authored,2494individually or with others. Include a link to each publication when2495possible. If a link is not available, provide a digital copy of the2496publication when available.24972498 ``Much to Show in the Show Me State''2499 November 14, 20232500 https://impact.acli.com/much-to-show-in-the-show-me-state/25012502 ``Don't Take Away Benefits from Hard Working Americans!''2503 September 7, 20232504 https://impact.acli.com/dont-take-away-benefits-from-hard-2505 working-americans/25062507 Bipartisan letter condemning violent attacks against Asian2508 Americans2509 March 20212510 See attached document ``Bipartisan Call to Action by Senior2511 Government Officials''25122513 Life Insurers: There for America2514 August 5, 20202515 https://impact.acli.com/life-insurers-there-for-america/25162517 Life Insurers Invest in American Families and Businesses2518 July 20, 20202519 https://impact.acli.com/life-insurers-invest-in-american-2520 families-and-businesses/25212522 Paid Maternity Leave During COVID-19 Pandemic? Yes!2523 May 27, 20202524 https://impact.acli.com/paid-maternity-leave-during-covid-19-2525 pandemic-yes/25262527 Senior Thesis on U.S.-Philippine modern history2528 Summer 19932529 Copy unavailable25302531 18. List all speeches, panel discussions, and presentations (e.g.,2532PowerPoint) that you have given on topics relevant to the position for2533which you have been nominated. Include a link to each publication when2534possible. If a link is not available, provide a digital copy of the2535speech or presentation when available.25362537 Featured Speaker. ``Customer Service,'' Congressional Institute2538 (August 15, 2024). No link or recording available.25392540 Featured Speaker. ``Business of You'' Career Workshop (November2541 15, 2024). No link or recording available.25422543 Featured Speaker. ``Career pivots, transferable skills,2544 identity, side hustles and building your brand,'' She Said/She2545 Said Podcast conversation (November 24, 2023)25462547 Moderator. ACLI Conference (September 28, 2022). No link or2548 recording available.25492550 Featured Speaker. ``Lobbying from the Living Room: Adapting2551 Advocacy Efforts to COVID-19,'' NAIFA Advocacy in Action Day.2552 (May 20, 2022).2553 https://advocacy.naifa.org/news/advocacy-in-action-lobbying-2554 from-the-living-room-adapting-advocacy-efforts-to-covid-1925552556 Featured Speaker. ``Using Your Voice'' NAIFA DEI Impact Week2557 (April 7, 2021).2558 https://tdc.naifa.org/impact25592560 Moderator. ACLI Executive Roundtable (January 2021). No link or2561 recording available.25622563 Featured Speaker. ``Advocating from Afar: Trends in Policy,2564 Advocacy and Government Affairs'' U.S. Chamber of Commerce.2565 (September 22, 2020).2566 https://events.uschamber.com/LEAD2020/speaker/153751/joyce-2567 meyer25682569 19. List all public statements you have made during the past ten2570years, including statements in news articles and radio and podcasts and2571television appearances, which are on topics relevant to the position2572for which you have been nominated, including dates. Include a link to2573each statement when possible. If a link is not available, provide a2574digital copy of the statement when available.25752576 ``The little-Known Officials on Whom Trump's Agenda May Rely''2577 April 5, 20172578 https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/05/business/dealbook/white-2579 house-staffers-trump-agenda.html25802581 ``What They're Saying: The Protecting Innovation in Investment2582 Act''2583 February 6, 20242584 https://www.commerce.senate.gov/2024/2/what-they-re-saying-the-2585 protecting-innovation-in-investment-act25862587 20. List all digital platforms (including social media and other2588digital content sites) on which you currently or have formerly operated2589an account, regardless of whether or not the account was held in your2590name or an alias. Include the full name of an ``alias'' or ``handle'',2591including the complete URL and username with hyperlinks, you have used2592on each of the named platforms. Indicate whether the account is active,2593deleted, or dormant. Include a link to each account if possible.25942595 Instagram: @jymeyerz--active25962597 X: @jmAlexDC--active25982599 Truth Social: @jymeyer--active26002601 LinkedIn: @jymdc--inactive26022603 21. Please identify each instance in which you have testified2604orally or in writing before Congress in a governmental or non-2605governmental capacity and specify the date, committee, and subject2606matter of each testimony.2607 Not applicable.2608 22. Given the current mission, major programs, and major2609operational objectives of the department/agency/commission/corporation2610to which you have been nominated, what in your background or employment2611experience do you believe affirmatively qualifies you for appointment2612to the position for which you have been nominated, and why do you wish2613to serve in that position?2614 Throughout my 30-year career, I have depended on reliable economic2615data and analysis and worked closely with analytical experts to carry2616out my responsibilities to draft public policy and advocate for the2617business community. To promote U.S. businesses and investment in2618America and in our communities, the business community needs reliable2619data and analysis to make their investment decisions. And to prioritize2620investment in America, policy makers need reliable data to make sound2621public policy and regulatory decisions.2622 My experience leading large, complex organizations has prepared me2623for this role. As staff director of the House Ways and Means Committee,2624I led a team of top experts while managing multiple lines of2625negotiations and legislation with broad stakeholder input to carry out2626the agenda of the chairman and members of the committee. Formulating2627tax policy, for example, requires data, analysis and revenue estimates2628provided by the Joint Committee on Taxation, which is overseen by the2629House Ways and Means chair for the first year of each session of2630Congress.2631 Building upon this experience, as Deputy Chief of Staff in the2632Speaker's office, I led a core team of 55 staffers. Just as important2633were my responsibilities overseeing the House operations team that2634supported 435 Members of Congress, 5 delegates of the House, one2635resident commissioner, more than 21 House committees and more than263610,000 House employees in Washington, DC and in each congressional2637district throughout the country. These responsibilities included, for2638example, the House's legislative process, security, historical2639preservation and renovations of the House office buildings. My focus on2640the institution of the U.S. House of Representatives was in addition to2641my responsibilities providing leadership support to the Speaker and2642members of the Republican Conference to carry out the House Majority's2643legislative agenda.2644 As a leader in a trade association for a 175-year-old, highly2645regulated industry, data and analysis were critical to make sure2646business decisions and public policy prioritize the financial security2647of American workers and retirees' life insurance and retirement2648savings.2649 23. What do you believe are your responsibilities, if confirmed, to2650ensure that the department/agency/commission/corporation has proper2651management and accounting controls, and what experience do you have in2652managing a large organization?2653 If confirmed, my responsibilities as Undersecretary of the Economic2654Affairs are to provide all necessary data and analysis that strengthens2655the Department of Commerce ability to carry out its mission, as2656outlined by Secretary Lutnick, ``to protect, defend and enhance2657investment in America.''2658 More specifically, these responsibilities include conducting robust2659and timely economic analysis for the Secretary and Bureaus to make2660program and policy decisions; innovate the collection and value of this2661data and promote and defend the integrity of the data to serve the2662users of the data. https://www.commerce.gov/bureaus-and-offices/ousea2663 My experience leading complex teams and organizations in dynamic2664environments, equips me for this important role, for driving2665innovation, and for strengthening the integrity and reliability of the2666agency. The Speaker of the House is responsible for the institutional2667responsibilities of the U.S. House of Representatives. As Deputy Chief2668of Staff, day-to-day staff management and support was my2669responsibility. Each of the 435 Members of Congress, 5 House delegates2670and one resident commissioner is personally financially responsible if2671they overspend their office's annual budget amount--the Member2672Representational Allowance (MRA). It is an important accounting control2673for taxpayer dollars, but it is even more important to work closely2674with House officers like the Chief Administrative Officer to ensure no2675Member of Congress, or House committee, ever gets to this point.2676Fostering collaboration and clear lines of communication among all2677components of the House was critical to ensure that each Members of2678Congress could serve their constituents and carry out their2679constitutional responsibilities.2680 24. What do you believe to be the top three challenges facing the2681department/agency/commission/corporation, and why?2682 The public servants of the Department of Commerce Economic Affairs2683team each day face the challenges that come with the core mission of2684providing reliable, timely data and analysis. These challenges continue2685to present opportunities and, if confirmed, I look forward to exploring2686further how we can build upon the important work of the agency.26872688 1. Leveraging technology to improve speed of data and analysis:2689 Collecting data for statistical sampling or enumeration takes2690 time. How can we leverage technology to collect data faster and2691 how can we leverage technology to support the important work of2692 the public servants who provide economic analysis?26932694 2. Capturing the dynamic economy: The economy is always changing.2695 New industries, new consumers and new markets are constantly2696 emerging. How can we ensure that the data and analysis provided2697 by the Department of Commerce Economic Affairs team captures2698 and reflects all dimensions of the Nation's dynamic economy?26992700 3. Efficiency and integration: The Federal government has multiple2701 statistical offices within other agencies. How can we2702 efficiently deliver to all Americans, including American policy2703 makers, the business community and academia the data and2704 analysis they need?27052706 b. potential conflicts of interest2707 1. Describe all financial arrangements, deferred compensation2708agreements, and other continuing dealings with business associates,2709clients, or customers. Please include information related to retirement2710accounts, such as a 401(k) or pension plan.27112712 American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI):2713 I will continue to participate in the ACLI defined contribution2714 plan. The plan sponsor will not make further contributions and2715 I will not make future contributions.27162717 2. Do you have any commitments or agreements, formal or informal,2718to maintain employment, affiliation, or practice with any business,2719association, or other organization during your appointment? If so,2720please explain.2721 Not applicable.2722 3. Indicate any investments, obligations, liabilities, or other2723relationships which could involve potential conflicts of interest in2724the position to which you have been nominated. Explain how you will2725resolve each potential conflict of interest.2726ACLI 401k27272728 MFS Total Return Fund Class R6 Shares (MSFKX): I will comply2729 with all ethics requirements as outlined by OGE.27302731 PGIM Jennison Growth Fund Class R6 Shares (PJFQX); I will2732 comply with all ethics requirements as outlined by OGE.27332734 Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VIMAX): I will2735 comply with all ethics requirements as outlined by OGE.2736Roth IRA27372738 Vanguard Federal Money Market Fund Investor Shares (VMFXX):2739 I will comply with all ethics requirements as outlined by OGE.27402741 Vanguard Target Retirement 2040 Fund Investor Class (VFORX):2742 I will comply with all ethics requirements as outlined by OGE.27432744 4. Describe any business relationship, dealing, or financial2745transaction which you have had during the last ten years, whether for2746yourself, on behalf of a client, or acting as an agent, that could in2747any way constitute or result in a possible conflict of interest in the2748position to which you have been nominated. Explain how you will resolve2749each potential conflict of interest.2750 I represented ACLI as their EVP of Government Relations. I will2751resolve any potential conflict of interest by complying with all ethics2752requirements as outlined by OGE.2753 5. Identify any other potential conflicts of interest and explain2754how you will resolve each potential conflict of interest.2755 My spouse is the founder and principal of Westfourth2756Communications. My spouse's clients include:27572758 Thales USA, Inc.27592760 CGI Federal27612762 CGI Technologies and Solutions27632764 Partnership for Tax Compliance27652766 Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition27672768 Liberty Tire Recycling, Inc.27692770 Student Loan Servicing Alliance27712772 National Association for Proton Therapy27732774 American Psychiatric Nurses Association27752776 Global Peace Foundation27772778 National Air Carriers Association27792780 I will resolve any potential conflicts of interest by complying2781with all ethics requirements as outlined by OGE.2782Spouse Roth IRA27832784 Vanguard Federal Money Market: I will resolve any potential2785 conflicts of interest by complying with all ethics requirements2786 as outlined by OGE.27872788 Vanguard Target Retirement 2040 Investor Class Mutual Fund:2789 I will resolve any potential conflicts of interest by complying2790 with all ethics requirements as outlined by OGE.2791Spouse WPP 401(k)27922793 Vanguard Wellington Fund Admiral: I will resolve any2794 potential conflicts of interest by complying with all ethics2795 requirements as outlined by OGE.27962797 Vanguard Equity Income Fund: I will resolve any potential2798 conflicts of interest by complying with all ethics requirements2799 as outlined by OGE.28002801 JPM MdCapValue R6: I will resolve any potential conflicts of2802 interest by complying with all ethics requirements as outlined2803 by OGE.28042805 AmerFundsEuroPacificGR R6: I will resolve any potential2806 conflicts of interest by complying with all ethics requirements2807 as outlined by OGE.2808RubinMeyer Communications LLC, now Westfourth Communication LLC, 401(k)2809 Vanguard Value Index ETF: I will resolve any potential2810 conflicts of interest by complying with all ethics requirements2811 as outlined by OGE.28122813 Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF: I will resolve any2814 potential conflicts of interest by complying with all ethics2815 requirements as outlined by OGE.28162817 Vanguard Md Cap Index ETF: I will resolve any potential2818 conflicts of interest by complying with all ethics requirements2819 as outlined by OGE.28202821 Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF: I will resolve any potential2822 conflicts of interest by complying with all ethics requirements2823 as outlined by OGE.28242825 SPDR Index PTF devel world ex-US ETF: I will resolve any2826 potential conflicts of interest by complying with all ethics2827 requirements as outlined by OGE.28282829 SPDR S&P Emerging Markets ETF: I will resolve any potential2830 conflicts of interest by complying with all ethics requirements2831 as outlined by OGE.28322833 Schwab Short-term U.S. Treasury ETF: I will resolve any2834 potential conflicts of interest by complying with all ethics2835 requirements as outlined by OGE.28362837 iShares -5 year TIPS Bond ETF: I will resolve any potential2838 conflicts of interest by complying with all ethics requirements2839 as outlined by OGE.28402841 Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF: I will resolve any potential2842 conflicts of interest by complying with all ethics requirements2843 as outlined by OGE.28442845 Vanguard FTSE Emerging Market ETF: I will resolve any2846 potential conflicts of interest by complying with all ethics2847 requirements as outlined by OGE.2848Invest529--Virginia College Savings Plan (for college-aged dependent)2849 2024 (18+): I will resolve any potential conflicts of2850 interest by complying with all ethics requirements as outlined2851 by OGE.2852 Harley-Davidson, Inc. (HOG) stocks: I will resolve any2853 potential conflicts of interest by complying with all ethics2854 requirements as outlined by OGE.2855Northwestern Mutual Whole Life Insurance2856 Plan 1 (self): I will resolve any potential conflicts of2857 interest by complying with all ethics requirements as outlined2858 by OGE.28592860 Plan 2 (spouse): I will resolve any potential conflicts of2861 interest by complying with all ethics requirements as outlined2862 by OGE.28632864 Plan 3 (dependent): I will resolve any potential conflicts2865 of interest by complying with all ethics requirements as2866 outlined by OGE.2867Roth IRA (for Dependent)2868 Vanguard Federal Money Market Fund Investor Shares: I will2869 resolve any potential conflicts of interest by complying with2870 all ethics requirements as outlined by OGE.28712872 Vanguard Target Retirement 2045 Fund Investor Class Shares2873 (VTIVX): I will resolve any potential conflicts of interest by2874 complying with all ethics requirements as outlined by OGE.28752876 6. Describe any activity during the past ten years, including the2877names of clients represented, in which you have been engaged for the2878purpose of directly or indirectly influencing the passage, defeat, or2879modification of any legislation or affecting the administration and2880execution of law or public policy.2881 I represented ACLI as their EVP of Government Relations. I will2882resolve any potential conflict of interest by complying with all ethics2883requirements as outlined by OGE.2884 c. legal matters2885 1. Have you ever been disciplined or cited for a breach of ethics,2886professional misconduct, or retaliation by, or been the subject of a2887complaint to, any court, administrative agency, the Office of Special2888Counsel, an Inspector General, professional association, disciplinary2889committee, or other professional group? No.2890 If yes:28912892 a. Provide the name of the court, agency, association, committee, or2893 group;28942895 b. Provide the date the citation, disciplinary action, complaint, or2896 personnel action was issued or initiated;28972898 c. Describe the citation, disciplinary action, complaint, or2899 personnel action;29002901 d. Provide the results of the citation, disciplinary action,2902 complaint, or personnel action.29032904 2. Have you ever been investigated, arrested, charged, or held by2905any Federal, State, or other law enforcement authority of any Federal,2906State, county, municipal, or foreign government entity, other than for2907a minor traffic offense? No.2908 If so, please explain.2909 3. Have you or any business or nonprofit of which you are or were2910an officer ever been involved as a party in an administrative agency2911proceeding, criminal proceeding, or civil litigation? No.2912 If so, please explain.2913 4. Have you ever been convicted (including pleas of guilty or nolo2914contendere) of any criminal violation other than a minor traffic2915offense? No.2916 If so, please explain.2917 5. Have you ever been accused, formally or informally, of sexual2918assault, sexual harassment, or discrimination on the basis of sex,2919race, religion, or any other basis? No.2920 If so, please explain.2921 6. Please advise the Committee of any additional information,2922favorable or unfavorable, which you feel should be disclosed in2923connection with your nomination.2924 Not applicable.2925 d. relationship with committee2926 1. Will you ensure that your department/agency/commission/2927corporation complies with deadlines for information set by2928congressional committees, and that your department/agency/commission/2929corporation endeavors to timely comply with requests for information2930from individual Members of Congress, including requests from members in2931the minority? Yes.2932 2. Will you ensure that your department/agency/commission/2933corporation does whatever it can to protect congressional witnesses and2934whistleblowers from reprisal for their testimony and disclosures? Yes.2935 3. Will you cooperate in providing the Committee with requested2936witnesses, including technical experts and career employees, with2937firsthand knowledge of matters of interest to the Committee? Yes.2938 4. Are you willing to appear and testify before any duly2939constituted committee of the Congress on such occasions as you may be2940reasonably requested to do so? Yes.2941 ______29422943 Addendum to the questionnaire submitted to the Senate Committee on2944 Commerce, Science, and Transportation, 119th Congress by Joyce Meyer.2945 Upon further review, I have identified additional asset information2946that is responsive to questions A.5, A.15 and E.1 on the Committee's2947questionnaire. They can be found in the attached documents.2948 The undersigned certifies that the information contained in the2949public addendum is true and correct.29502951 8/22/202529522953 X Joyce Meyer2954 Joyce Meyer29552956 Signed by: JOYCE MEYER2957 ______29582959Joyce Meyer Addendum2960August 22, 202529612962A.5 Date of Birth:29632964A.15 Political contributions as outlined on the August 13, 2025 e-mail2965request:29662967Scalise Leadership Fund $2,500: This fund is called ``Eye of the Tiger2968PAC'' and is listed correctly under my answer for A.15. The FEC website2969incorrectly lists that I made two separate contributions to the Scalise2970Leadership Fund and to the Eye of the Tiger PAC.29712972Save the Senate 2020 $2,800: This was an inadvertent omission in my2973response to A.15. I can confirm that I did make a personal contribution2974of $2,800 to Save the Senate.29752976Waging Peace $3,300: My personal contribution of $3,300 was made to2977Congressman Mike Gallaghter's re-elect. It is listed correctly in my2978response to A.15. The FEC website incorrectly lists a personal2979contribution from me to Mike Gallagher's leadership PAC, which is2980called ``Waging Peace.''29812982E.1. My response can be found in the attached document2983``JMeyer.assets.xlsx.'' To ensure you can view the correct values to2984the corresponding assets, it is recommended to use the ``landscape''2985setting, which can be found under ``Page Layout'' and ``Orientation.''2986 ______29872988 Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Former Senior Government2989 Officials Issue Bipartisan Call to Action Against Anti-Asian Hate2990 We, the undersigned Americans of Asian and Pacific Islander (AAPI)2991descent, who served as senior officials in both Republican and2992Democratic Administrations and Congressional offices, strongly denounce2993the alarming increase in violence, rhetoric, and bigotry against the2994AAPI community. We urge Members of Congress and the Biden2995Administration to work with state and local government officials to2996address these concerns with policy solutions and proactive measures.2997 Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, we have seen a2998dramatic rise of anti-AAPI bias and violence. As Americans continue to2999face economic and health challenges, Asian Americans continue to face3000wrongful blame for the virus. According to STOP AAPI HATE, 2020 saw a3001150 percent increase in hate crimes against Asian Americans. Since the3002start of the pandemic, more than 3,800 anti-Asian hate incidents have3003been self-reported, and of that, 66 percent were targeted against Asian3004American women. Though many of the incidents involve bullying, racial3005epithets, and verbal abuse and harassment, an increasing number of3006incidents have involved physical violence, including death.3007 On March 18th, the first Asian American woman to be appointed to3008the President's Cabinet, former U.S. Secretary of Labor and former U.S.3009Secretary of Transportation, Elaine Chao, said in a statement, ``Such3010vicious, and unconscionable acts of violence cut at the very core of3011our country and the values on which it was founded. . .the critical3012work to combat the haunting rise of hatred against the AAPI community3013must intensify with the immediacy this latest tragedy commands.''3014 On March 14th, former Washington Governor Gary Locke, the first3015Asian American governor, former U.S. Secretary of Commerce, and former3016U.S. Ambassador to China, called for an end to violence against Asian3017American communities. ``This violence against Asian Americans, and3018especially our elderly, has got to stop,'' Locke said, ``We cannot3019scapegoat [and] blame Asian Americans for this virus. Hate is a3020virus.''3021 For centuries, AAPIs have contributed much to the vibrancy and3022success of this country. Yet we are sometimes still seen as ``the3023foreigner'' or ``less American'' and treated as the ``other''. Today,3024an estimated two million AAPIs serve on the front lines of our3025country's battle against the COVID-19 pandemic as healthcare workers,3026first responders, grocery store workers, and other essential roles.3027They risk their lives every day to save fellow Americans, but even they3028are not immune to this kind of bias and hate. Doctors and nurses have3029been insulted, business owners have been harassed, our churches and3030temples have been vandalized, and even the elderly have been physically3031attacked.3032 For all of us, it has been a great honor and privilege to serve the3033American public at the highest levels of the Federal government,3034working for both Republicans and Democrats. What is currently happening3035in our country is alarming, and it requires that we all stand in3036solidarity to protect and support the AAPI community. We call on our3037political leaders to: denounce violence and hateful rhetoric against3038AAPIs; to work with local, state, and national leaders and law3039enforcement agencies to better protect AAPIs; and to pass and fund3040legislation that will better support the needs of the AAPI community.3041#StopAsianHate.3042 Signed,30433044 (DEMOCRATS) (REPUBLICANS)30453046 [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]30473048 The Chairman. Thank you. Mr. Graham, we will start with3049you. ADS-B is a technology that can receive or transmit3050location, altitude, velocity to air traffic control and other3051nearby aircraft faster than radar or other transponders.3052 Unfortunately, the Army Black Hawk helicopter involved in3053the mid-air collision above the Potomac earlier this year was3054not transmitting ADS-B, despite operating in congested airspace3055with civilian aircraft. This meant the Blackhawk, which should3056have never been flying in that area in the first place, was3057completely dark to airplanes arriving at DCA.3058 In July, I introduced the ROTOR Act, which would require3059all aircraft, commercial, business, general aviation, and3060military, to transmit their locations via ADS-B. Widespread3061adoption of ADS-B In will improve aviation safety, as noted by3062your colleague NTSB Chair, Jennifer Homendy.3063 The NTSB has long called for broader use of ADS-B. Mr.3064Graham, should virtually all aircraft be required to transmit3065their locations via ADS-B and to receive ADS-B signals from3066nearby aircraft?3067 Mr. Graham. Chairman Cruz, thank you for that question.3068First of all, as far as ADS-B goes with respect to the3069accident, it would be inappropriate for me to draw any3070conclusions at that point because it hasn't been presented to3071the Board as a final report with probable cause and3072conclusions, findings, recommendations.3073 But as far ADS-B technology goes, it has an incredible3074safety potential if implemented correctly. I think it has great3075benefit for the future of being able to--for airports that3076don't have ground radar or any other kind of radar. I think3077those systems that are called the SAI Initiative that the FAA3078is putting in, in control towers, I thinks it is great.3079 The problem they have right now is they haven't put any3080warning or caution systems, either audio or visual, for the3081controllers to alert the controller that there might be an3082impending incursion.3083 I have seen some of the technology that some of avionics3084manufacturers are using it for--in the cockpit, which is one of3085our recommendations that go back to 2000, that we ask for not3086just the control towers to have this data and be able to see3087aircraft, but also in the cockpits so pilots can start reacting3088quicker than waiting for a controller to tell them.3089 So, I believe in ADS-B technology in the future, and I do3090think, especially in Class B airspace, in my personal opinion,3091all aircraft should have that on and--when they are operating3092in that area.3093 The Chairman. In your professional judgment, would the3094flying public be safer if the ROTOR Act were passed and ADS-B3095In and Out were required for aircraft in commercial airspace?3096 Mr. Graham. Thank you, Chairman Cruz, for that question.3097First of all, the NTSB, we don't normally endorse any3098legislation, but we do look at our recommendations that have3099been out there for some time, and I notice some of those are3100included in the ROTOR Act. We are always trying to have our3101recommendations either implemented by the regulator or3102legislatively by this body.3103 The Chairman. OK, let me just try for a straightforward3104answer. Would the flying public be safer if ADS-B In and Out3105were required?3106 Mr. Graham. Yes.3107 The Chairman. Thank you. Mr. Klein, in your role at OSTP3108during the first Trump administration, you advanced the3109Nation's AI strategy through the American AI Initiative and3110helped establish the tenets outlined in the 2020 National3111Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act. Some of those tenets3112were abused by the Biden administration.3113 For instance, the Biden Administration diverted NIST from3114its job of developing technical standards, to policing what3115they call disinformation and stereotyping in AI, both of which3116were masked up censorship.3117 As stakeholders and lawmakers talk about wanting to more3118tightly regulate AI, they should keep in mind that the last3119time Congress authorized AI standards-related activity, the3120American AI Initiative ended up being used by woke leftists in3121the Biden administration to guard against supposed harms like3122misgendering on ChatGPT, or ChatGPT downplaying climate change.3123 Thankfully, the Trump administration has put a stop to this3124nonsense and is stamping out woke AI. Why do you think the core3125tenets of the 2020 National AI Initiative Act, based on OSTP's3126earlier work, were implemented in unexpected ways during the3127Biden administration? Was that a departure from the statute, or3128a result of the law's open-ended language, and how can we guard3129against it moving forward?3130 Mr. Klein. Chairman Cruz, thank you for your question. I3131had been involved in drafting of the 2019 Executive Order,3132which was the first ever signed by a President on artificial3133intelligence. And the language that we had used at that time3134was seeking to reduce barriers to safe testing and deployment3135that would help enable an industry adoption and ensure public3136trust in these technologies.3137 In my personal belief, I think NIST, as a former National3138Bureau of Standards, is an excellent place to do use case and3139sector-specific standards that can help enable industry3140adoption and enable public trust.3141 I think that the position of this administration is very3142much focused on that in terms of the America's AI Action Plan3143and the tasks specifically given to the Office of Science and3144Technology Policy in issuing an RFI that will seek to identify3145those kinds of barriers and places where we may need either3146deregulatory action, greater use exemptions, waivers, or3147regulatory sandboxing, or places where we may actually need3148more regulatory clarity to, again, ensure industry adoption and3149public trust in this technology.3150 The Chairman. Thank you. Ranking Member Cantwell.3151 Senator Cantwell. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. To go back to3152this ADS-B In and Out issue. Mr. Graham, you are aware that,3153because you mentioned the time period, that this recommendation3154for mandating this was made a long time ago. So, the point is,3155you support that recommendation, correct?3156 Mr. Graham. Absolutely, I do.3157 Senator Cantwell. OK. So the issue is, why wasn't it3158adopted? And the question is, in the FAA safety bill, we tried3159to get a larger role played by NTSB in getting an annual report3160on the highest risks that need to be addressed. And that has3161been implemented. And my guess is that you would say that this3162is one of the highest risk, if it is not implemented.3163 Mr. Graham. I believe it is one of the higher risk, yes.3164 Senator Cantwell. OK. So the point is, what else do you3165think that NTSB can do--this is a gap, right? This is the gap3166between a safety organization that has to spend all its time on3167the details and a regulatory agency that seems to, in the last3168decade plus, try to ignore those recommendations. What else can3169we do to further get this implementation as a priority? What3170more can NTSB do?3171 Mr. Graham. I think at this point, we can just, all we can3172do--it reminds me of positive train control. We advocated for3173that for 50 years. This is 20-some years into this now with3174ADS-B In technology. All we can from the NTSB is continue to3175advocate for our recommendations and hope the regulator or this3176body does something and ask for the regulator to go ahead and3177make it regulatory in this case.3178 Senator Cantwell. Well, the problem is our regulator hasn't3179been doing it. That is the big problem. And this, you know, on3180ground incursion--basically, it was the Chair who I purposely3181made come to a hearing and sat right next to the then-acting3182Administrator to call him out on why he hadn't implemented that3183recommendation.3184 So, and then finally, he held a Forum two days later and3185said, ``oh yes, we should implement this''. So in this case,3186you know, sure, I called the Chair before a committee and had3187her asking the question, but why does that have to happen? Why3188can't we, you know--we needed an aggressive NTSB. I get it. I3189get it. We are trying to change a big bureaucracy here for3190sure.3191 But at the same time, we need--the answers to Senator3192Cruz's questions made it seem like you were hesitant to3193advocate for this technology, and you may not want to advocate3194for an actual implementation in a bill, because you may or may3195not know the details of various implementations.3196 Senator Cruz and I disagree right now on--we want it3197implemented. We are like, this is way too long. We want it3198implemented now. So I get it, but at the same time I need a3199more aggressive NTSB on calling out the lack of implementation3200by the FAA. We just do. We Just do.3201 And I am sorry that that is the case. I wish we had a more3202aggressive FAA, but apparently we have people there that are3203right now rewriting the rules, trying to be more light touch3204again, so.3205 Mr. Graham. If I could answer that, Senator. It is not that3206I am hesitant. What I am hesitating about is talking about3207anything as ADS-B's role in the DCA mid-air accident. I do not3208want to influence that investigation. We need to stay----3209 Senator Cantwell. OK. I get it. I get it. OK. Did you see3210anything wrong----3211 Mr. Graham. But I am totally--I am totally into it----3212 Senator Cantwell. --did you see anything wrong with Alvin3213Brown? Do you think he--did you see anything wrong with his3214behavior at NTSB?3215 Mr. Graham. Senator, all board members serve at the3216pleasure of the President, no matter who the President is.3217 Senator Cantwell. I asked you if you saw anything wrong?3218 Mr. Graham. From my standpoint, Senator, I have very little3219interaction with most of the other board members because the3220way our board is set up, the way we rule on things. So I had3221very little interactions with him.3222 Senator Cantwell. OK. Thank you. Dr. Klein, we have to go3223to--I mean, I disagree with his firing. Dr. Kline, tell me3224about quantum, and do you believe that we need a National3225Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act? This is something3226Senators Young, Durbin, Danes, and I have worked on. I plan to3227reintroduce it this Congress, but do you think we need a broad3228initiative here to be aggressive?3229 Mr. Klein. Senator, thank you for your question. And3230certainly, quantum, to me--there is a lot of discussion about3231AI right now, and I think rightfully so, but quantum is3232something that I don't think is talked about enough. And I know3233that this committee has been very much involved in that space.3234 The National Quantum Initiative that was signed into law3235under the first Trump administration was a priority then, and I3236know that these actions to both further the R&D for quantum but3237more so move toward commercialization and applications is a3238critically important matter at this time, and something that if3239confirmed, I would be very happy to work with your staff and3240this committee on.3241 Senator Cantwell. And could you, for the record, answer a3242question related to that on fusion, too? Could you, for the3243record, put something in what you think we should be doing on3244fusion? And Ms. Meyer, if you could--my time has expired, but3245if you could, for record.3246 The Bureau of Economic Analysis, you mentioned a lot of3247things in your testimony about things that you would--you think3248that we need to be broader on. We cannot have disagreement3249about statistics. I don't think we should have disagreements3250about science. I mean, science is science.3251 We should listen to scientists. We should listen to3252engineers like your dad who was a Boeing engineer. We should3253listen to these people. But in this case, I want you to outline3254how you prevent the administration from undermining the3255statistics?3256 So my time has expired so you will have to do it for the3257record, but thank you so much for your willingness to address3258that. Thank you3259 Senator Moreno. Senator Sullivan.32603261 STATEMENT OF HON. DAN SULLIVAN,3262 U.S. SENATOR FROM ALASKA32633264 Senator Sullivan. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And I want to3265thank the witnesses, nominees, for their service and their3266family members. I always appreciate the opening statements that3267focus on patriotism, and service, and family. So, well done to3268all three of you. Off to a good start.3269 Let me start with you, Dr. Klein. You did a reference,3270actually, to the space race with the Soviet Union, which is a3271high point in American science. And it was important that we3272won that race, which we did. Why is it similarly important that3273we win the AI race with the Chinese Communist Party?3274 Mr. Klein. Senator, thank you for your question. It is3275incredibly important, because what we do in the United States3276will impact how the world adopts artificial intelligence,3277whether other countries will be built on an American AI stack3278or a Chinese AI stack.3279 And along with that goes technical standards and everything3280that is going to set the future of applications across a range3281of sectors. Artificial intelligence is not confined, you know,3282to anyone, you know, sector. It is something that will be3283adopted across medicine, across transportation, agriculture.3284These are things we are already seeing today.3285 Senator Sullivan. And national security as well, right? And3286national security, right?3287 Mr. Klein. Certainly.3288 Senator Sullivan. If China wins the AI race, their ability3289to have a more lethal military starts to raise its ugly head3290too. Is that correct?3291 Mr. Klein. Absolutely. I think it is critically important3292that we focus not just on the research and development aspects,3293but also the adoption both by industry, by our own Government,3294and that includes national security, yes.3295 Senator Sullivan. Good. Let me ask another question that3296often gets missed on the AI race. So it is a lot about energy.3297It is a lot about electrons. The Biden administration, when3298they were in power, you know, they were all about shutting down3299American energy, especially in places like my state.3300 Alaska suffered through 70 Executive Orders by Joe Biden to3301singularly shut down Alaska. We were sanctioned more than Iran3302and Venezuela, and those are terrorist states, just because we3303produced energy in the Biden administration--and like American3304energy. So tell me about the importance of having American3305energy produced as part of the AI race?3306 Mr. Klein. Well, absolutely, Senator. Energy is something3307that we hear more about from the technology companies than the3308technology itself, in truth. And it is a shame if that would be3309a bottleneck for our ability to innovate and to adopt this3310technology.3311 Senator Sullivan. When we have more energy than any other--3312you think we have more energy in China? Hell yes. We need to3313unleash it, not shut it down. And don't you think that's3314important for the winning of the AI race?3315 Mr. Klein. Certainly. And actually, pillar two of the AI3316Action Plan is exactly focused on that. It is focused on the3317infrastructure, and that includes both the data centers that3318will be needed, but also all the underlying energy3319infrastructure. And this administration, under President Trump,3320has taken a number of different Executive Orders seeking to3321unleash that energy. In one area that I know very personally,3322in terms of nuclear energy, we have had just an incredible3323opportunity now to enable that testing, enable quicker3324deployment of, you know, these reactors for commercial3325deployment and also for Government use.3326 Senator Sullivan. Good. Yes, one of the first EOs President3327Trump signed on his first day in office was an Executive Order3328called, ``Unleashing Alaska's Extraordinary Resource3329Potential'', which, of course, I appreciated. But that is good3330not just for Alaska, good for Americans, and it is good for the3331AI race. Mr. Graham, let me commend you on your service, your3332Naval Aviator service, which I think is wonderful.3333 I notice the Chairman, Chair Homendy is in the audience3334here, so we appreciate her wonderful service. She is doing a3335great job. You know, we have the highest crash rates in3336aviation in Alaska for a whole host of reasons.3337 The NTSB put out a study on this a number of years ago,3338which launched the FAA Alaska Safety Initiative, what we call3339the FASI Initiative. And one of the things that I want to work3340with you on, and I would like your commitment on, is that we3341have non-FAA service providers that can develop more precise,3342lower minimum procedures for using GPS-based technology, but3343they don't receive Federal support and often can't publish3344procedures for public use under current FAA policies.3345 You know, one of our challenges in Alaska is we don't have3346basic infrastructure at our many, many airports that the lower334748 airports do. So can I work with you on this? The Chair, the3348Secretary, they are all very focused on advancing this FASI3349Initiative so we can bring down the crash rates and the death3350rates in Alaska aviation, which is the highest in the country.3351 Mr. Graham. Senator, absolutely, yes. You have my3352commitment to work with you. And I am sure the Board has had a3353long history of working with the Alaska community and trying to3354make it safer. We understand how important aviation is to your3355state.3356 Senator Sullivan. Thank you. And finally, Ms. Meyer, I do3357appreciate the flag. That is a great opening statement you had3358there. But I will follow up on Senator Cantwell's question. You3359know, the Bureau of Labor Statistics revised its job estimates3360between April 2024 and March 2025 by almost a million fewer3361jobs. That was the largest downward revision in almost a3362quarter century. What is going on there and how can we fix3363that? That is a disaster for people who rely on that important3364data.3365 Ms. Meyer. Thank you. Thank you very much, Senator. I3366really appreciate the important question. I will start first by3367saying BLS is not--it is at the Department of Labor. It is not3368currently under Commerce.3369 I don't have visibility into the work that BLS has done,3370but I very much appreciate your question because an important3371part of the integrity and accuracy of data is the transparency3372that comes with revisions. If confirmed, I look forward to3373continuing the good work that is done at Census and Bureau to3374place priority on accuracy and integrity.3375 Revisions are part of the process, I know, particularly3376with the data that they do. And I think it is important to3377continue that--to continue to look at ways to ensure that as3378data comes in, it is reflecting an accurate measure of the3379economy or the specific sector it is focused on.3380 Senator Sullivan. Good. Good. Thank you very much. Thank3381you, Mr. Chairman.3382 Senator Moreno. Thank you to my colleague from Alaska. I am3383disappointed that there was no questions about AI's application3384to fishing, but we will have to do that for the second round. I3385recognize Senator Young.3386 Senator Sullivan. There are applications, by the way.33873388 STATEMENT OF HON. TODD YOUNG,3389 U.S. SENATOR FROM INDIANA33903391 Senator Young. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Congratulations to3392our three nominees. It is good to see each of you. Dr. Klein, I3393know it was several months ago now that we visited in my3394office, and we talked about the development, commercialization,3395and deployment of all sorts of emerging technologies.3396 And I thought it was especially beneficial to discuss with3397you our role as Congress in this process of facilitating3398public-private partnerships so that we can make sure we sustain3399our ecosystem of basic research, pathways to commercialization,3400and the elimination of unnecessary barriers.3401 As you know, I am working relatedly on an initiative for3402quantum computing and quantum more generally, National Quantum3403Initiative Reauthorization Act. And our effort here is to3404attempt to continue the acceleration of quantum computing,3405development, and deployment here in the United States.3406 And I think your assistance in this role that you have been3407nominated for could greatly assist Congress in moving this3408legislation across the finish line, creating predictability,3409and ensuring we have the authorities to win the quantum race,3410as we are calling it. Can you speak to why Congress must act3411and foster programs to accelerate basic research and3412commercialization of quantum?3413 Mr. Klein. Certainly, and thank you for your question,3414Senator, and I very much enjoyed our discussion several months3415ago. As I had mentioned to Senator Cantwell, quantum is an3416incredibly important priority for this Nation. It will have3417incredible applications across not only science, but national3418security as well.3419 And while there has been a lot of investment and focus on3420the research and development piece, and we certainly need to3421continue to invest in that basic research, there is also a role3422to play for the Federal Government in moving toward that3423commercialization and moving toward applications of quantum.3424 That is if we want to build out a domestic industry here3425that includes everything from the infrastructure, the supply3426chains, and the workforce that is going to be required. Both3427those high-skilled STEM PhDs that we would love to see more3428Americans going--taking that path. And also a technically3429skilled workforce that is going to be able to have quantum jobs3430here in America.3431 Senator Young. And can the administration do it all by3432itself or is Congressional action required? This is what we3433call a leading question in the business.3434 Mr. Klein. Yes, Senator. Certainly it requires both the3435Legislative and the Executive branches to work together. And if3436confirmed, I would be very excited to work on this topic with3437you.3438 Senator Young. Likewise. Thank you. Let me move on, Dr.3439Klein, so that we might discuss another tech vector in which3440you have deep expertise, and that is drone technology. I3441represent the most manufacturing intensive state in the3442country, as my colleagues are tired of hearing.3443 I understand the importance and the economic opportunities3444of increased commercialization of our technologies, including3445drones. But I also understand the challenges associated with3446deployment. Scaling production isn't straightforward,3447especially for systems as complex as unmanned aerial vehicles.3448Dr. Klein, where do you see the most pressing opportunities for3449Congress to support the mass manufacture of US-made drones?3450 Mr. Klein. Certainly. I think from a Congressional3451perspective, the drone industrial base, there is a few3452different levers that can be used to ensure American dominance3453in this area, which was the subject of a recent Presidential3454Executive Order.3455 I believe both Federal procurement preferences for secure3456U.S. made drones, supply chain and standards setting in this3457area, is another critical area. And this is something that we3458have seen truly an explosion of interest in across industries3459and across sectors.3460 From the first Trump administration, we worked on some of3461that initial kind of deregulatory action, regulatory3462sandboxing, which I think today has kind of led toward this3463continued integration of unmanned aircraft systems into the3464national airspace system.3465 So on the industrial base, certainly toward standard3466setting, toward procurement, and toward incentivizing the3467growth of a domestic manufacturing base, are incredibly3468important.3469 Senator Young. Goodness--30 seconds left. Are there any3470remaining obstacles that are top of mind for you as it relates3471to drone deployment? Key obstacles that stand in the way of3472creating an environment that supports not just innovation and3473design, we are pretty good at that, but actually getting drones3474out into the field?3475 Mr. Klein. Certainly. I think one important part is, again,3476the regulatory sandboxing. There is recently announcement on an3477EVTOL Integration Pilot Program in the spirit of the Unmanned3478Aircraft System Pilot Program that occurred under the first3479Trump administration.3480 The publishing of publication and hopefully soon use of a3481beyond visual line of sight rule is another first step in being3482able to expand the set of safe operations for drones. And I3483think as we are able to get additional regulatory clarity,3484additional use of these drones across sectors, it will provide3485for a stronger kind of draw for a domestic industrial base.3486 Senator Young. Thanks again, doctor. Congrats to all our3487nominees. Chair.3488 Senator Moreno. Thank you. I recognize Senator Peters.34893490 STATEMENT OF HON. GARY PETERS,3491 U.S. SENATOR FROM MICHIGAN34923493 Senator Peters. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. To each of our3494nominees, congratulations on your nomination. Ms. Meyer, the34952030 census will determine how communities across the country3496are going to receive millions of dollars in Federal funding for3497roads, for hospitals and bridges, as well as determine the3498political representation that they have here in Congress.3499 It is absolutely essential, and I believe you know this3500from our discussion earlier, that the Census Bureau prepare so3501that the 2030 count is accurate, timely, and reliable. That is3502a lot of work between now and then. And the next step to3503prepare for the 2030 count is to conduct a test run of the3504census in 2026 at six sites around the country.3505 I am concerned about the status of the preparation for this35062026 census test, and I understand that the Bureau has not yet3507even begun hiring, which is behind the curve of what we have3508seen in the past.3509 And also, the Census Bureau has refused to provide updates3510to me on the status of preparation for this test. So my3511question for you is first off, do you commit to prioritizing3512preparation and hiring for the 2026 Census if you are indeed3513confirmed?3514 Ms. Meyer. Senator, thank you very much for the question.3515Thanks, too, for taking the time, you and your team. I very3516much appreciated our discussion. And thanks too for3517highlighting the important work of the Census. As we know, this3518is a core responsibility, particularly from--as outlined by the3519Constitution.3520 And incidentally, today is National Constitution Day--2873521years ago the Constitution was signed. So, I think it is3522particularly timely. And with the work that is focused in3523preparation for 2030, as you know, I am not in the role, so I3524can't speak to any specifics.3525 But what I can tell you is that if confirmed, I commit to3526working with you and the Committee, and also keeping a focus on3527the appropriate levels of staffing and resources that will be3528required.3529 Senator Peters. So I know you, as from our discussion, you3530know that this is a big responsibility, and it is going take a3531considerable amount of your efforts going forward. Could you3532tell the Committee what steps you are thinking about right now3533of taking to prepare for this census test? I am sure you have3534given it some thought. Could you share some of those ideas with3535us, please?3536 Ms. Meyer. Senator, thank you. And I know this is a very3537important issue, particularly given your role and the important3538focus you and your team have put into the census.3539 As I mentioned, I am not in the role, but I do look forward3540to, if confirmed, exploring ways to ensure that there are no,3541for example, technological capabilities that would be3542overlooked in order to support the good work of the census in3543preparation for 2030.3544 I also look forward to exploring and making sure that there3545are ways to apply any takeaways from previous experiences,3546previous census, and also making sure the data that continues3547to be analyzed informs the next steps in regards to the census3548for 2030.3549 Senator Peters. Ms. Meyer, this summer, President Trump3550called on the Department of Commerce to conduct a new census to3551take place immediately that excludes non-citizens. No law3552permits the President from unilaterally conducting a whole new3553census at this point between censuses.3554 Any change to the census would require amending the Census3555Act and approval from Congress. So my question for you is, do3556you agree that the President is unable to conduct a new census3557now unless Congress passes a law to actually authorize it?3558 Ms. Meyer. Senator, thanks again for the continued focus3559and opportunity to respond on this very topic, this important3560topic of the census. In regards to, as I am not in the role, I3561have not been part of--I don't have any decisionmaking3562authority or have not been a part of the discussions.3563 If confirmed, I do look forward to complying with the law3564and ensuring that all of the steps that are taken as you3565outlined, particularly in preparation for 2030, I look forward3566to carrying that out and joining alongside those who work at3567the Census.3568 Senator Peters. So do you agree that a law needs to be3569passed? I didn't hear that in your answer, I apologize.3570 Ms. Meyer. Senator, in regards to this, I am not in the3571role, but if confirmed, I do look forward to continuing to work3572with you and the Committee in regards to these issues.3573 Senator Peters. Very good. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.35743575 STATEMENT OF HON. BERNIE MORENO,3576 U.S. SENATOR FROM OHIO35773578 Senator Moreno. Thank you. And congratulations to all three3579of you for being nominated. It is quite an honor, and I look3580forward to serving with all of you. Let's start with you, Dr.3581Klein. I am no nuclear scientist. One of us is.3582 How do you work to make certain that as we develop AI3583technology, that it filters through to help working Americans?3584That it doesn't displace them, it doesn't eliminate them, but3585rather enables them and empowers them? Like, how do we focus in3586on that?3587 Mr. Klein. Certainly. And Senator, thank you for the3588question. Any action that this administration would take with3589regard to AI has to have the American worker core and center.3590It has been a big push within America's AI Action Plan, is to3591focus on ways that the Federal Government can assess, where3592there may be, you know, new job opportunities, new areas, new3593sectors that Americans should be trained up for, for jobs of3594the future, and ensuring that we are investing in any re-3595skilling or ability for American workers to include and involve3596AI in their daily work to, you know, increase efficiency and3597make their jobs, you know, more enjoyable.3598 So I think that everything that we do has to be data3599informed, and I think that is one step, is to ensure that we3600have the appropriate data and information and understanding of3601how industry is adopting these technologies and how it may3602have, you know, downstream impacts. And then ensuring that we3603are training Americans from the start on these kinds of3604technologies.3605 The President had signed an Executive Order focusing on the3606K through 12 AI education, of which there was a task force3607meeting just a week and a half ago. And the focus there is3608really ensuring that from the very start we are able to train3609young Americans to understand what do these technologies mean,3610how can they leverage them for, you know, education and future3611in the workforce, and ensuring that Americans already in the3612workforce are able to benefit from these technologies.3613 Senator Moreno. No, that is absolutely critical. And3614obviously, what we need to do is make certain that whatever we3615do on a public policy side, that we are keeping the American3616worker in mind.3617 So, thank you for that answer. I had another question.3618Obviously, huge opportunity in Government computing and3619Government services with AI because our systems, let's just3620say, are from before probably you were born. So the question3621becomes, how do we leapfrog and get back into competitiveness?3622 And there are a lot of opportunities that we can use AI. I3623have one concern that I have heard anecdotally and just want to3624see if this is something that you are focused on or the office3625is focused on, is that these AI providers are not allowing the3626Government to use their AI tools for whether it is ICE or law3627enforcement.3628 Do I have your commitment to look into that to see why3629these companies are not allowing the Government who is3630contracting with these companies for large sums of money, not3631to allow them to use your tools at ICE or other law enforcement3632agencies?3633 Mr. Klein. Senator, thank you for the question. And while3634that likely falls outside of OSTP's specific purview, we are3635constantly engaged with individuals at the Office of Management3636and Budget, within the Office Federal CIO, and the different3637CIO Councils. And that would be certainly something where I3638would be happy to work with--if confirmed, work with you and3639the Committee to ensure that all Government services are able3640to benefit from the, you know, wealth that these technologies3641can provide.3642 Senator Moreno. Yes. Because you could imagine the problem3643where you have the Government going out and contracting with3644these companies, hundreds of millions of dollars, and the3645company saying, yes, you can use it for this, but not for that.3646 That is deeply concerning, and certainly would ask you to3647take a look at that when you are confirmed--be optimist here.3648The last question for you is, obviously, there is a lot of hype3649around things like Grok and ChatGPT, but can you talk just for3650the record where the real applications of AI are?3651 Because again, we have had Google for a long time, and I3652view kind of those other applications as kind of an advancement3653on that, but that is not really where the action is. Can you3654kind of talk about where you see the true real applications of3655AI?3656 Mr. Klein. Certainly, Senator. So again, I would focus at a3657use case and sector specific kind of level. If you are talking3658about medical diagnostics, where AI can be used to enhance and3659augment existing diagnostic capabilities for early detection of3660cancer. In the transportation space, we had the rich discussion3661there on unmanned aircraft systems.3662 For example, automated driving systems as well. The3663Department of Transportation rolled out a new AV policy3664framework. These are the areas that already today we are seeing3665the benefits of AI technology. And I have one--if confirmed,3666one big priority for me in terms of what actions we take on AI3667policy should be around industry adoption at the end point3668where the American people can benefit from these technologies.3669 Senator Moreno. All right, thank you. Actually, one last3670question for you, and then I will jump to the other ones. There3671is a comment made by the Ranking Member that science is fact.3672You have a PhD, and you studied undergraduate. Can you address3673that, is science fact?3674 Mr. Klein. I think science is a process of understanding to3675the best of our abilities, you know, any given kind of----3676 Senator Moreno. But it is never a fact. In other words, it3677is quite the opposite, right. There is never a fact. If that3678was the case, we would be believing that the world is flat3679today, because that was maybe the thought 3,000 years ago.3680 So the science is ever evolving, and it is about3681exploration and learning. It is not about a conclusion that you3682sit with and say there is indisputable that this is true,3683although there are some sets of indisputable facts. Science is3684a process of learning and a journey. Is that correct?3685 Mr. Klein. Certainly. Yes, Senator.3686 Senator Moreno. All right. Just to make sure. And go to3687you, Mr. Graham. Obviously, the work that the NTSB does--can3688you explain just, again, for the record, clean up some of the3689questions I heard from my colleagues? The NTSB is not the FAA,3690right? Just for the record, just to make sure that we have that3691clear.3692 Mr. Graham. Thank you, Senator. Yes, the NTSB is an3693independent safety organization. We do investigations. We do3694safety studies, and our products are mainly our3695recommendations. So, we are not a regulator.3696 Senator Moreno. Right. So you are not making decisions as3697to what equipment goes on planes, what equipment doesn't go on3698planes. You are not in the business of passing legislation. Is3699that correct?3700 Mr. Graham. Correct. We are----3701 Senator Moreno. Impartial investigators----3702 Mr. Graham. We are impartial. We have--what I like to say3703is we have no horse in the race. So we come in. We are3704unbiased. We let the facts guide us to where they will lead us,3705and we come up with the conclusions at that point. And our sole3706product is recommendations, which are usually very generic.3707 And we leave that up to the regulator and the industry to3708determine how best to approach that recommendation and3709implement it so that we don't have another accident like that3710again.3711 Senator Moreno. And thank you for your work. And thank you,3712the Chairman, for your work on that. You guys are asked to do3713enormous amount of work in a very short period of time with an3714increasingly impatient public, where social media expects you3715to resolve it in a law and order sort of way where in one hour3716the crime is committed and 60 minutes later the verdict is3717rendered, and I don't think that is reality. So, thank you for3718working and doing great impartial work.3719 And Ms. Meyer, I don't want to leave you alone. And since I3720am alone up here, I am going way over my time. It is my3721prerogative here. So, the question for you is, you had some3722questions from my Democrat colleagues. Do you suspect the3723President is going to come ask you your opinion as to what his3724Executive Order should look like, or do you think that is3725probably going to be the President to look to you and the3726Secretary to implement his prerogatives?3727 Ms. Meyer. Senator, thank you for the question. Thanks to3728you for the time that you and your team spent. I appreciated3729our discussion----3730 Senator Moreno. So the question was, like what was your3731opinion on whether the census should be? You don't expect that3732the President is going to walk in your office and go, you know,3733I am not sure about this. Can you give me your opinion? He is3734going to expect you to implement whatever he feels is compliant3735with the law. Is that accurate?3736 Ms. Meyer. Senator, in terms of this role, it is in regards3737to the data and implementing what is required, right. So, what3738you highlight is basically the role itself. The focus is on3739data. It is not on policy. And so, if confirmed, I very much3740look forward to serving.3741 Senator Moreno. Yes. And data doesn't have opinions or3742feelings, right. Just make sure we are on the same page there.3743But thank you to all three of you. Thank you for your time this3744morning. Thank you, for your patience. Thank you the work that3745you have done prior to getting here.3746 And again, it is a great honor to all of you that the3747President of the United States has nominated you for these3748positions. It will be our honor here, at least speaking for3749myself, to confirm all three of you in these positions.3750 So Mr. Graham, Mr. Klein, and Ms. Meyer, my final question3751is required of all nominees. If confirmed, do you pledge to3752work collaboratively with this committee to provide thorough3753and timely responses to the Committee's request and to appear3754before the Committee when requested? Mr. Graham.3755 Mr. Graham. Senator, yes.3756 Senator Moreno. Dr. Klein.3757 Mr. Klein. Senator, yes.3758 Senator Moreno. Ms. Meyer.3759 Ms. Meyer. Senator, yes.3760 Senator Moreno. Thank you. I have six letters of support3761from various organizations for Mr. Graham's and Mr. Klein's3762nomination, and I ask unanimous consent to be inserted into the3763hearing. Hearing no objections, so ordered.3764 [The information referred to follows:]37653766 General Aviation Manufacturers Association3767 Washington, DC, September 17, 202537683769Senator Ted Cruz,3770Chairman,3771Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee,3772Washington, DC.3773Senator Maria Cantwell,3774Ranking Member,3775Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee,3776Washington, DC.37773778Dear Senator Cruz and Senator Cantwell,37793780 On behalf of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA),3781we write to support the nomination of U.S. National Transportation3782Safety Board (NTSB) Member Michael Graham for a second term as a member3783of the board. He is recognized as a champion of aviation safety--a3784primary focus of our association.3785 GAMA has worked with Member Graham since he joined the NTSB. His3786broad understanding of aviation safety builds on decades of experience3787as a Naval Aviator, leadership roles at two aircraft manufacturers, and3788work as a demonstration pilot and production flight test pilot and3789exemplifies experience that will continue to benefit the NTSB and U.S.3790transportation safety.3791 We appreciate the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation3792Committee consideration of his nomination and wholeheartedly support it3793moving forward so that he can continue his important work at the NTSB.3794 Sincerely,3795 James A. Viola,3796 President and CEO.3797 ______37983799 Air Charter Safety Foundation3800 September 15, 202538013802Hon. Ted Cruz,3803Chairman,3804Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,3805Washington, DC.3806Hon. Maria Cantwell,3807Ranking Member,3808Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,3809Washington, DC.38103811Subject: Endorsement for Continued Service of NTSB Board Member3812Michael Graham38133814Dear Chairman Cruz and Ranking Member Cantwell,38153816 On behalf of the Board of Governors of the Air Charter Safety3817Foundation (ACSF), we are writing to express our strong support for the3818renomination and continued service of Member Michael Graham on the3819National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).3820 Michael Graham is a former Chair of the ACSF Board of Governors and3821has long been recognized as an incredibly qualified leader and advocate3822for aviation safety. His contributions to ACSF and the broader aviation3823community reflect his deep understanding of both operational realities3824and the importance of advancing a strong safety culture.3825 Since his appointment to the NTSB, Member Graham has continued to3826exemplify these qualities, serving as a tireless advocate for safety3827across all sectors. He has consistently engaged with stakeholders,3828fostered collaboration, and reinforced the importance of adopting and3829implementing NTSB recommendations to improve safety outcomes.3830 The business and charter aviation industry faces complex challenges3831as it works to strengthen safety management systems, reduce risk, and3832enhance accident prevention. Having a Board Member like Michael Graham,3833with his proven expertise, operational insight, and unwavering3834commitment to collaboration, is essential to meeting these challenges3835effectively.3836 For these reasons, we respectfully urge the Committee to support3837Member Graham's continued service on the NTSB. His leadership,3838qualifications, and dedication to aviation safety will ensure continued3839progress in protecting lives and advancing safety across the industry.3840 Respectfully,3841 The Board of Governors,3842 Air Charter Safety Foundation.3843 ______38443845 Intelligent Transportation Society of America3846 September 9, 202538473848Hon. Ted Cruz,3849Chairman,3850Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,3851United States Senate,3852Washington, DC.3853Hon. Maria Cantwell,3854Ranking Member,3855Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,3856United States Senate,3857Washington, DC.38583859Dear Chairman Cruz and Ranking Member Cantwell,38603861 On behalf of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS3862America), I am writing in strong support of the confirmation of Mr.3863Michael Graham to the National Transportation Safety Board for a second3864term as Board Member. For more than 30 years, ITS America has been a3865leading organization uniting government, private industry, and academia3866to champion policies and investments that make our transportation3867systems safer, more innovative, and more efficient. The NTSB is a3868critical partner to the industry and our members in shaping policies3869and recommendations that improve the safety of our transportation3870system.3871 Throughout his career, Mr. Graham has been a champion for3872transportation safety, supporting recommendations that improve the3873safety of the traveling public. His significant experience in the3874aviation industry and previous five years serving on the Board give him3875the leadership, expertise, and knowledge necessary to support a3876national transportation safety approach that improves safety outcomes3877across all modes of transportation. Mr. Graham has been a strong3878advocate for using innovative technologies to improve safety for all3879who travel, including vehicle connectivity, driver assistance systems,3880and infrastructure-based safety tools. The country would continue to3881derive great benefit from Mr. Graham's service on the Board for a3882second term given his focus on and commitment to reducing3883transportation injuries and fatalities.3884 We appreciate the Committee's leadership and strong track record of3885supporting transportation safety and innovative safety technologies. We3886strongly support Mr. Graham's renomination as a Board Member at the3887NTSB and look forward to working with him upon his confirmation.3888 Sincerely,3889 Laura Chace,3890 President and CEO,3891 Intelligent Transportation Society of America.38923893cc: Members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and3894Transportation3895 ______38963897 Consumer Technology Association3898 Arlington, VA, September 16, 202538993900Hon. Ted Cruz,3901Chairman,3902Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,3903Washington, DC.3904Hon. Maria Cantwell,3905Ranking Member,3906Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,3907Washington, DC.39083909Dear Chairman Cruz and Ranking Member Cantwell,39103911 On behalf of the Consumer Technology Association, we support the3912nomination of Dr. Ethan Klein as Chief Technology Officer and Associate3913Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy3914(OSTP), a role critical to keeping the Federal Government at the3915cutting edge of technology. Dr. Klein's background in science and3916technology makes him well suited for this post.3917 CTA worked with Dr. Klein during the first Trump Administration,3918when he served as a policy advisor for emerging technologies at OSTP.3919His portfolio included autonomous and unmanned transportation, giving3920him direct experience on issues central to America's innovation3921leadership. That background will allow him to contribute from day one.3922 Once confirmed, we believe Dr. Klein will continue driving critical3923technology priorities that advance U.S. leadership, support the3924workforce, and ensure prosperity and security for all Americans. This3925is a pivotal time for emerging technologies, and Dr. Klein is an3926outstanding choice for U.S. CTO and Associate Director of OSTP.3927 CTA respectfully urges his swift confirmation. Thank you for your3928consideration.39293930 Gary Shapiro,3931 CEO and Vice Chair,3932 Consumer Technology Association.3933 Kinsey Fabrizio,3934 President,3935 Consumer Technology Association.3936 ______39373938 Task Force on American Innovation3939 September 16, 202539403941Hon. Ted Cruz,3942Chairman,3943U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce,3944Washington, DC.3945Hon. Maria Cantwell,3946Ranking Member,3947U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce,3948Washington, DC.39493950Dear Chairman Cruz and Ranking Member Cantwell,39513952 The Task Force on American Innovation (TFAI) is honored to submit3953this letter for the record in support of the nomination of Dr. Ethan3954Klein to serve as the Associate Director of the Office of Science and3955Technology Policy (OSTP) and the United States Chief Technology3956Officer. TFAI is a coalition of STEM-related companies, scientific3957professional societies, and research institutions focused on the3958critical role played by federally funded research in the U.S.3959innovation enterprise.3960 Dr. Klein's career exemplifies a steadfast dedication to the3961advancement of American science, technology, and national security.3962With a doctorate in nuclear physics from the Massachusetts Institute of3963Technology and an MBA from Stanford University, his foundation in both3964research and policy is broad and deep. He has served as a policy3965advisor at OSTP, a researcher at Lawrence Livermore National3966Laboratory, and a bridge between Silicon Valley and the Federal3967government through his leadership roles at Stanford University.3968 A defining feature of Dr. Klein's approach is his profound3969understanding of the essential role that federally funded research3970plays in driving innovation, economic prosperity, and job creation3971across the United States. He recognizes that nearly every breakthrough3972shaping our lives today traces its roots to basic research, supported3973by public investment and performed in our Nation's universities and3974laboratories. From artificial intelligence and quantum computing to3975advanced nuclear reactors and border security technologies, Dr. Klein's3976career has spanned the full spectrum of foundational and applied3977science. He has consistently advocated for the public support of3978research as the engine of America's competitive advantage.3979 Dr. Klein is acutely aware that our global competitors, including3980China, are dramatically increasing their national investments in3981science and technology. Their goal is to emulate the American model--3982one that for a century has yielded unprecedented economic growth,3983technological leadership, and national security. Dr. Klein's experience3984in both government and research has given him a clear-eyed appreciation3985of the strategic competition we face and the imperative to sustain and3986expand our Nation's commitment to fundamental research, lest we cede3987leadership in fields that will define the future.3988 Equally important, Dr. Klein is a responsible steward of the public3989trust. He understands that every dollar allocated to science and3990technology originates from the hard work of American taxpayers. He is3991committed to ensuring that these resources are used judiciously and3992transparently, maximizing the return on investment for the American3993people while accelerating discovery and economic opportunity.3994 Dr. Klein's nomination comes at a pivotal time, when bold3995leadership is needed to maintain America's preeminence in science and3996technology. His vision is unwavering: to keep the United States at the3997forefront of global innovation--not only by supporting transformative3998research today but also by laying the foundation for discoveries that3999may come decades from now. He understands that ingenuity and prosperity4000rest on our willingness to invest in new ideas, and he is dedicated to4001ensuring that America continues to lead the world in scientific4002achievement.4003 For these reasons, TFAI supports Dr. Ethan Klein's nomination. His4004expertise, integrity, and commitment to public service will serve the4005Nation with distinction in the years to come.4006 Thank you for the opportunity to add our enthusiastic endorsement4007to the record.4008 Respectfully submitted,4009 Scott Corley,4010 Executive Director,4011 Task Force on American Innovation.4012 ______40134014 Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International4015 April 29, 202540164017Hon. Ted Cruz,4018Chairman,4019Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,4020United States Senate,4021Washington, DC.4022Hon. Maria Cantwell,4023Ranking Member,4024Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,4025United States Senate,4026Washington, DC.40274028Chairman Cruz and Ranking Member Cantwell,40294030 On behalf of the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems4031International (AUVSI) and our expansive membership, I write to express4032our strong support for the nomination of Dr. Ethan Klein to serve as4033the United States Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Dr. Klein's visionary4034leadership, particularly in the fields of digital infrastructure, open4035innovation, and responsible technology policy, uniquely qualifies him4036to advance our national technology strategy at this critical juncture.4037Our organization chiefly focuses on the uncrewed systems, robotics, and4038autonomy industries, and we are confident that Dr. Klein will excel in4039his new role to support American dominance in our areas of focus, and4040across all critical industries and sectors.4041 AUVSI represents over four hundred corporations and 8,0004042professionals spanning industry, government, and academia in more than4043sixty countries. Our members work across the defense, civil, and4044commercial sectors, designing and operating uncrewed systems including4045drones, automated vehicles, maritime vessels, and robotics. We are4046confident that under Dr. Klein's leadership, the Federal government4047will be well positioned to enhance coordination across agencies and4048support groundbreaking technologies that are transforming how we live,4049work, and defend our Nation.4050 Dr. Klein has consistently demonstrated a steadfast commitment to4051ensuring American leadership in emerging technologies. His previous4052roles as a Senior Advisor in the White House Office of Science and4053Technology Policy, along with his leadership on digital policy reform,4054underscores his strong ability to engage stakeholders across sectors4055and advance secure, forward-looking initiatives. His deep understanding4056of the evolving technological landscape makes him exceptionally well-4057suited to guide Federal innovation initiatives, ensure technological4058development, and bolster digital resilience.4059 Throughout his public service career, Dr. Klein has played a4060critical role in developing policies that prioritize national security,4061promote innovation, and foster public-private collaboration--three4062important components of success in the uncrewed systems, autonomy, and4063robotics industries. His demonstrated expertise in crafting frameworks4064that balance economic growth with digital resilience will be vital in4065this era of rapidly advancing technologies where uncrewed systems are4066being increasingly utilized. We are confident he will champion policies4067that enhance domestic capabilities, strengthen supply chains, and4068accelerate the responsible deployment of artificial intelligence,4069advanced networking, and autonomous systems.4070 AUVSI feels strongly that Dr. Klein's nomination is a pivotal4071opportunity to ensure the U.S. maintains global leadership in strategic4072technology domains, including autonomy and robotics. We urge the4073Committee to swiftly confirm Dr. Klein as the next CTO so he can begin4074this important work on behalf of the American people and the innovation4075community.4076 Thank you for your consideration. Please do not hesitate to contact4077us if we can provide additional information in support of Dr. Klein's4078nomination.4079 Sincerely,4080 Michael Robbins,4081 President and CEO,4082 AUVSI.4083 ______40844085 Vertical Aviation International4086 September 8, 202540874088Hon. Ted Cruz,4089Chairman4090Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,4091Washington, DC.4092Hon. Maria Cantwell,4093Ranking Member,4094Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,4095Washington, DC.40964097Subj: Endorsement for Continued Service of NTSB Board Member Michael4098 Graham40994100Dear Chairman Cruz and Ranking Member Cantwell,41014102 On behalf of Vertical Aviation International (VAI), the world's4103leading membership association dedicated to the vertical aviation4104industry, I am writing to express our strong support for the4105renomination and continued service of Member Michael Graham on the4106National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).4107 Since joining the Board, Member Graham has served as a tireless4108advocate for aviation safety, with dedication to the vertical flight4109sector. He has consistently engaged with our industry through4110participation in VAI events, including VERTICON, webinars, and safety4111forums. His leadership has advanced a strong safety culture,4112strengthened collaboration, and reinforced the importance of promoting4113NTSB post-accident recommendations across the industry.4114 The rotorcraft industry faces complex challenges in its efforts to4115advance safety while sustaining critical missions such as air4116ambulance, firefighting, offshore energy support, law enforcement, and4117utility operations. Having a Board Member like Michael Graham, who4118understands these unique dynamics and consistently demonstrates4119leadership in promoting a culture of safety, is vital to achieving4120measurable progress in accident prevention.4121 For these reasons, we respectfully urge the Committee to support4122Member Graham's continued service on the NTSB. His expertise,4123engagement, and dedication to collaboration will ensure continued4124progress in reducing accidents and strengthening aviation safety for4125all who fly.4126 Respectfully,4127 Cade Clark,4128 Chief Government Affairs Officer,4129 Vertical Aviation International.4130 ______41314132 National Business Aviation Association4133 September 15, 202541344135Senator Ted Cruz,4136Chairman,4137Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee,4138Washington, DC.4139Senator Maria Cantwell,4140Ranking Member,4141Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee,4142Washington, DC.41434144Dear Chairman Cruz and Ranking Member Cantwell,41454146 I write on behalf of the National Business Aviation Association's4147(NBAA) 11,000 members to express our strong support for confirmation of4148Michael Graham for another term as a Member of the National4149Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).4150 Mr. Graham brings a distinguished record of leadership, safety4151expertise and aviation experience to the Board. From beginning his4152career as a Naval Fighter Pilot, where he led safety and training4153initiatives, to chairing the Air Charter Safety Foundation, leading the4154NBAA Safety Committee's Single Pilot Safety Working Group, Mr. Graham4155has demonstrated an exemplary record of safety knowledge and4156professionalism--a remarkable legacy of accomplishment the Flight4157Safety Foundation recognized in honoring Mr. Graham with its 20194158Business Aviation Meritorious Service Award.4159 During his tenure on the NTSB, Mr. Graham has consistently4160demonstrated a deep commitment to the Board's mission of advancing4161transportation safety. His extensive experience at the intersection of4162aviation operations and safety oversight is particularly valuable as4163the United States works to modernize the Nation's air traffic control4164system and ensure the safe integration of emerging technologies,4165including commercial spaceflight, unmanned aircraft systems, electric4166air taxis and autonomous vehicles.4167 Mr. Graham is widely respected in the aviation community, not only4168for his technical expertise, but also for his collaborative approach to4169identifying challenges and promoting practical, safety-driven4170solutions. His continued service on the NTSB will be essential in4171helping the Board address evolving safety issues while maintaining4172America's global leadership in aerospace.4173 Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, NBAA is the leading4174organization for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to4175help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful.4176Safety has always been at the core of our mission, and the association4177provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation4178community, including resources that advance best practices and cutting-4179edge innovations in aerospace technologies.4180 As the NTSB prepares for the next phase of innovation in mobility,4181Mr. Graham will ensure America remains a leader in transportation4182safety. His commitment reflects NBAA's longstanding dedication to4183ensuring business aviation operates at the highest levels of safety and4184efficiency. We urge the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and4185Transportation and the U.S. Senate to confirm Mr. Graham's nomination4186as soon as possible.4187 Sincerely,4188 Ed Bolen,4189 President and CEO,4190 National Business Aviation Association.4191 ______41924193 Alliance for Digital Innovation4194 September 17, 20254195Hon. Ted Cruz,4196Chairman,4197Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee,4198United States Senate4199Washington, DC.4200Hon. Maria Cantwell,4201Ranking Member,4202Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee,4203United States Senate,4204Washington, DC.42054206Dear Chairman Cruz and Ranking Member Cantwell:42074208 The Alliance for Digital Innovation (ADI) writes to support the4209confirmation of Dr. Ethan Klein as Associate Director of the Office of4210Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). ADI represents leading technology4211companies and organizations committed to advancing digital4212transformation and innovation in government.4213 Dr. Klein brings a unique combination of technical expertise and4214policy experience focused on advancing emerging technologies for4215government missions. During his previous service as a policy advisor4216for emerging technologies at the White House OSTP from 2017 to 2021, he4217consistently advocated for integrating cutting-edge innovations into4218Federal operations, including artificial intelligence (AI), cloud4219computing, and quantum technologies that deliver immediate operational4220benefits. His Ph.D. in nuclear science and engineering from MIT,4221particularly his research on nuclear safeguards and international4222security, earned him the 2019 Arms Control Person of the Year Award4223from the Arms Control Association. Dr. Klein's work at Lawrence4224Livermore National Laboratory further strengthened his commitment to4225applying advanced scientific capabilities to practical government4226solutions that address real-world challenges. He also served as a4227Defense Innovation Scholar at Stanford's Gordian Knot Center for4228National Security Innovation, where he worked to bridge the gap between4229Silicon Valley and government agencies.4230 This technology-forward approach is particularly relevant to OSTP's4231mission of ensuring America's competitiveness in AI, quantum computing,4232and cloud infrastructure. Dr. Klein's vision of leveraging these4233transformative technologies to strengthen government operations aligns4234with the office's role in coordinating and promoting Federal research4235and development programs that deliver tangible results for mission-4236critical functions.4237 Our member companies value leadership that actively seeks to4238incorporate innovative technology into government operations rather4239than maintaining status quo approaches. Dr. Klein's commitment to4240bringing practical technological solutions into government missions,4241combined with his institutional knowledge of OSTP operations, positions4242him to effectively bridge private sector innovation with Federal agency4243needs for immediate operational improvements.4244 The Alliance for Digital Innovation supports the confirmation of4245Dr. Ethan Klein as Associate Director of the Office of Science and4246Technology Policy. His technical background and policy experience4247provide excellent qualifications for advancing Federal science and4248technology initiatives.4249 We respectfully encourage the Committee's consideration of his4250nomination. Thank you for your consideration of our views.4251 Sincerely,4252 Ross Nodurft,4253 Executive Director,4254 Alliance for Digital Innovation.42554256 Senator Moreno. Senators will have until the close of4257business September 19 to submit questions for the record. The4258nominees will have till the close of business on September 224259to respond to those questions. That concludes today's hearing.4260The Committee stands adjourned.4261 [Whereupon, at 11:17 a.m., the hearing was adjourned.]42624263 A P P E N D I X42644265 Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Ted Cruz to4266 Michael Graham4267 Question 1. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), for4268nearly thirty years, has recommended Automatic Dependent Surveillance--4269Broadcast In (ADS-B In) equipage in aircraft. In July, I introduced S.42702503 the Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform4271(ROTOR) Act. The ROTOR Act if enacted makes important aviation safety4272improvements, including the requirement for all aircraft, commercial,4273general aviation, and military, to receive ADS-B In.42744275 a. Mr. Graham, how does the NTSB engage in advocating for4276implementation of safety recommendations, including legislation that4277implements NTSB recommendations?4278 Answer. Since the NTSB does not have regulatory or enforcement4279authority and cannot mandate adoption of our recommendations, we use a4280variety of tools to advocate for their implementation--including when4281legislative or regulatory changes are required. Below are examples of4282how we engage in our advocacy.42834284 1. Safety Recommendation Process--After an investigation, we issue4285 safety recommendations to agencies, industry groups,4286 manufacturers, labor organizations, and/or other entities we4287 believe can act to enhance safety. Each recommendation is4288 tracked in a public database that is fully transparent, and the4289 recipient must respond with actions taken or planned. Through4290 this process, we are able to constantly engage with our4291 recommendation recipients to continue encouraging them to enact4292 our recommendations. The public is also able to track4293 progress--or lack thereof--on these recommendations to increase4294 accountability.42954296 2. Legislative Advocacy--NTSB frequently recommends Congress or4297 state legislatures enact laws to improve safety and satisfy our4298 recommendations. In certain cases, additional regulatory4299 authority is needed for entities to be able to enact our4300 recommendations. In these cases, the NTSB will work directly4301 with legislative bodies to advocate for that authority to be4302 granted to the appropriate regulator. The Board also testifies4303 before congressional committees, provides technical expertise,4304 and submits formal correspondence to Congress detailing our4305 activities and continuing to advocate for our recommendations.43064307 3. Partnership with Regulatory Agencies--Since many of our4308 recommendations are directed to Federal regulators, we build4309 relationships with these regulators so that we can better4310 understand their abilities--and limitations--to carrying out4311 our recommendations. The NTSB, as Congress designed, is not a4312 punitive body, and therefore we continue to build on these4313 relationships to ultimately create a safer transportation4314 ecosystem.43154316 4. Public Advocacy and Awareness--The NTSB strategically uses media,4317 public events, and speaking engagements to raise awareness of4318 recommendations that are stalled or ignored. Board Members and4319 staff alike both use these forums to directly communicate with4320 recommendation recipients, industry stakeholders, and the4321 general public to emphasize the importance of enacting our4322 recommendations.43234324 b. Would the widespread adoption of ADS-B In increase aviation4325safety, particularly around congested airports?4326 Answer. Yes, ADS-B In technology is another layer of safety that4327can be added to improve situational awareness and safety for pilots4328flying in Class B airspace, or any congested airspace.4329 ______43304331 Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Dan Sullivan to4332 Michael Graham4333 Question 1. Mr. Graham, as you may know, many communities in Alaska4334rely almost entirely on aviation for year-round access to basic goods,4335services, and medical care. Yet many airports in Alaska still lack4336usable instrument flight procedures due to outdated design standards,4337excessive minimums, or multi-year backlogs in FAA approval. These4338limitations often make published instrument approaches less usable than4339visual flight rules, even in poor weather.4340 Meanwhile, non-FAA service providers have shown that they can4341develop more precise, lower-minimum procedures using modern GPS-based4342technology, but they receive no Federal support and often cannot4343publish their procedures for public use under current FAA policies.43444345 Given your background as a pilot and your leadership role at4346 the NTSB, do you believe that accelerating the availability of4347 safe, modern instrument procedures--including through FAA4348 collaboration with authorized third-party providers--would4349 improve flight safety in regions like Alaska?4350 Answer. I have been very outspoken during my first term about the4351need for all pilots--veterans and novices alike--to maintain currency4352and proficiency on instruments. Having traveled to Alaska during my4353term and discussing these issues with various stakeholders in Alaska's4354aviation community, I fully agree that we need to accelerate the4355availability of safe, modern instrument procedures to help improve4356aviation safety in Alaska. We need more instrument flight rules (IFR)4357routes and procedures instead of the current status quo that heavily4358relies on visual flight rules scud running which, more often than not,4359can put pilots into the weather without IFR options. These scenarios4360can eventually lead to an accident, which is why IFR options are so4361important.43624363 And if confirmed, would you be willing to look for4364 opportunities to amplify that message through the NTSB's safety4365 advocacy mission, so that decision-makers at FAA better4366 understand the safety value of these efforts?4367 Answer. I commit to working with you, your team, our team based in4368Anchorage, and any other aviation stakeholders in Alaska to amplify the4369need for improved instrument procedures and routes with the FAA or any4370other entities that need to understand the serious implications of not4371having these in place.4372 ______43734374 Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Maria Cantwell to4375 Michael Graham4376 Clear Timeline for ADS-B In Mandate. In 2008, the NTSB told the FAA4377it should mandate ADS-B In, not just ADS-B Out, for aircraft operating4378in certain types of controlled airspace. NTSB said doing so would4379``provide an immediate and substantial contribution to safety,4380especially during operations in and around airports.'' It has been 154381years, and aviation operators are still not required to equip with ADS-4382B In. After the tragic DCA collision exposed ADS-B loopholes, I'm4383working to mandate this critical safety technology to prevent future4384accidents.43854386 Question 1. Yes or No: Do you believe equipping aircraft with ADS-B4387In technology will improve situational awareness and safety for pilots4388flying in busy airspace near commercial airports?4389 Answer. Yes, ADS-B In technology is another layer of safety that4390can be added to improve situational awareness and safety for pilots4391flying in Class B airspace, or any busy airspace, near commercial4392airports.43934394 Question 2. Yes or No: Do you agree with setting a clear compliance4395date for aviation operators to equip with ADS-B In?4396 Answer. While the NTSB is not a regulator and leaves decisions on4397compliance deadlines to regulators, the FAA in this case, I would4398continue to echo the Board's longstanding recommendation to the FAA to4399satisfy our recommendation on ADS-B In as soon as possible. For those4400reasons, yes, I would agree with setting a clear compliance deadline4401for aviation operators to equip with ADS-B In.44024403 Question 3. How would a clear compliance date for operators to4404equip with ADS-B In help foster regulatory certainty for the aviation4405industry?4406 Answer. As in any mode, in aviation the National Airspace System4407(NAS) is only as safe as the least safe operator. Clear, industry-wide4408guidance from the FAA on ADS-B In implementation will help ensure all4409operators play by the same rules on the same timeline, ultimately4410strengthening the safety of the entire NAS.44114412 Question 4. If confirmed, what actions would you take as a Member4413of the NTSB Board to ensure ADS-B In safety recommendations are4414implemented by FAA, in light of FAA's failure to implement the Board's4415safety recommendations in a timely manner?4416 Answer. As my fellow Board Members and I have done throughout my4417first term at the NTSB, I will continue to use my vote and my voice at4418the Board to advocate for adoption of all NTSB recommendations--4419including with regulators such as the FAA. Nearly 20 years without4420satisfying this recommendation is unacceptable; however, as we saw with4421positive train control which NTSB recommended decades before its4422implementation, I believe constant advocacy and attention to this issue4423directly with the FAA--along with other industry stakeholders who will4424benefit from the technology--can ultimately achieve our shared outcome.4425I look forward to working with you, the Committee, Congress, and the4426administration to ultimately achieve an acceptable action from the FAA4427on our recommendations for ADS-B In technology.44284429 Rail Safety and Surface Transportation Reauthorization. You were4430the NTSB Board Member who led the response to the tragic train4431derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. You saw firsthand the impact that4432the derailment had on the community of East Palestine. Your agency made443334 new recommendations after your investigation. Last Congress,4434Senators Brown, Fetterman, and Casey, along with now-Vice-President-4435Vance introduced the Railway Safety Act that would implement a number4436of those recommendations.44374438 Question 1. The NTSB made 19 recommendations to DOT; are any of the4439recommendations considered closed? If so, please specify which ones.4440 Answer. The Board has not voted to close any of the recommendations4441issued to DOT, FRA, or PHMSA from our East Palestine report.44424443 Question 2. What is the status of the three recommendations that4444the NTSB made to the America Association of Railroads?4445 Answer. One of the recommendations (R-24-020) NTSB issued to the4446American Association of Railroads (AAR) is classified ``Open--4447Acceptable Response,'' meaning the Board believes AAR is taking4448positive steps toward fulfilling the recommendation but has not fully4449addressed the recommendation. This recommendation asks the AAR to4450revise the Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices, M 1002,4451Specifications for Tank Cars, to establish criteria and procedures for4452manufacturers of tank car service equipment to demonstrate4453compatibility of pressure relief devices and other AAR-approved service4454equipment with intended ladings. The response we received from AAR to4455this recommendation indicated that their Tank Car Committee is4456developing a requirement, to be included in the Manual of Standards,4457that manufacturers actually demonstrate compatibility of pressure4458relief devices and other AAR-approved service equipment with intended4459ladings; thus the Board believes AAR is working towards satisfying this4460recommendation with the development of this requirement. The Board has4461classified the other two recommendations issued to the AAR (R-24-0194462and R-24-021) as ``Open--Unacceptable Response,'' meaning the Board4463believes the AAR it not taking steps towards addressing our4464recommendations. Recommendation R-24-019 asked the AAR to develop a4465database of bearing failures and replacements and make it available to4466railroads, regulators, and investigators to help determine and address4467failure risk factors. The response we received from AAR to this4468recommendation indicated that they believe their current Umler system4469is a sufficient and appropriate database of bearing replacements4470recommended by the NTSB. The AAR also said that their Wheels, Axles,4471Bearings, and Lubrication (WABL) Committee tracks bearing failures, but4472only around 25 percent of failed bearings are reported to WABL. The4473Board has noted AAR's current database is a good starting point but is4474not expansive or robust enough to satisfy our recommendation.4475Recommendation R-24-021 asked the AAR to revise the definition of key4476train in Circular OT-55 to designate as a key train any train4477containing tank cars transporting hazardous materials that do not meet4478the DOT-117 standard. The response we received from AAR to this4479recommendation indicated that while they support a phase out of DOT-1114480tank cars for flammable liquid service, AAR does not agree with4481applying OT-55 to all trains transporting a DOT-111 tank car containing4482a hazardous material. The Board has noted our belief that revising the4483definition of key train will prevent similar potentially catastrophic4484hazardous materials releases in the future and, therefore, AAR's4485current response is unacceptable.44864487 Question 3. In light of the East Palestine disaster, which open4488NTSB recommendations do you think would have the greatest impact on4489rail safety and preventing a similar accident?4490 Answer. As the Board Member on scene for this accident, I firmly4491believe that each of our recommendations issued in the final report is4492crucial toward ensuring this type of derailment or release of hazardous4493material can never happen again. In particular, I have been very4494outspoken about the need for accelerated removal of DOT 111 tank cars4495from flammable liquids service. The NTSB has investigated far too many4496accidents involving these cars breaching and releasing hazardous4497materials, and it should not take any further accidents for PHMSA to4498remove these tank cars from flammable liquids service. The other4499recommendation I have been outspoken about is the need for PHMSA to4500revise the definition of a high hazard flammable train. The current4501definition--a continuous block of 20 or more tank cars loaded with a4502flammable liquid or 35 or more tank cars loaded with a flammable liquid4503dispersed throughout a train--is far too broad. It only takes one of4504these cars to derail and breach for a serious situation to occur, and4505PHMSA must update this definition in order to meet current realities.45064507 Bipartisanship on the NTSB. The Trump Administration has, to date,4508refused to nominate any Democrats to any open seats on independent4509boards and commissions, in a marked departure from longstanding4510practice. Now, we have boards and commissions operating with vacancies.45114512 Question 1. Yes or No: Based on your experience at the NTSB over4513the last five years, do you believe in the importance of bipartisanship4514on independent boards and commissions?4515 Answer. While I cannot speak for any other boards or commissions in4516the Federal government, I have seen the benefits of bipartisanship and4517diversity of thought during my first term at the NTSB.45184519 Question 2. Do you support continuing to have a bipartisan split of4520Members at the NTSB?4521 Answer. Yes, I do. I believe each Board Member brings a different4522and unique perspective to the table, and those collective perspectives4523strengthen our work and product.45244525 Alvin Brown Firing. NTSB is an independent agency and by statute4526the President may fire a Board member only for ``inefficiency, neglect4527of duty, or malfeasance,'' not solely at ``the pleasure of the4528President'' as you asserted at the hearing. In an interview with my4529staff, you said that you were not aware of any ``inefficiency, neglect4530of duty, or malfeasance'' to justify Member Brown's firing. At the4531hearing, you told me that you had ``little interaction with most of the4532other Board Members.''45334534 Question 1. Yes or No: Did anyone ask you to change your answer? If4535so, please detail who gave you this instruction, and under what4536circumstances.4537 Answer. No.45384539 Question 2. Are you personally aware of any ``inefficiency, neglect4540of duty, or malfeasance'' to justify the firing of Vice Chair Alvin4541Brown?4542 Answer. While I am not personally aware of any specific4543``inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance'' regarding former Vice4544Chair Brown, as I mentioned in the hearing, individual Board Members4545ultimately have limited interaction with each other by Congress'4546design.4547 Because no more than two of us can be in a room at any time4548deliberating on matters before the Board without violating the4549Government in the Sunshine Act, we each operate our offices fairly4550independently, meaning we have limited insights into other Member's4551day-to-day operations, thought processes, or actions.45524553 Pipeline Safety: Aldyl-A pipeline and risks to Spokane, Washington.4554In 2023, a gas pipeline explosion killed seven people and injured 10 at4555a chocolate factory in West Reading, Pennsylvania. The NTSB found that4556Aldyl-A, a type of plastic with known safety risks, played a role in4557the disaster. As of 2023, there were over 100 miles of this pipeline in4558Spokane's natural gas distribution system.45594560 Question 1. What action do pipeline operators and the Department of4561Transportation need to be taking to address this risk?4562 Answer. NTSB issued 18 new recommendations, along with one4563reiterated recommendation, in our final report on the UGI Corporation's4564Natural Gas-Fueled Explosion and Fire at the R.M. Palmer Company4565building in West Redding, Pennsylvania. Of those 19 recommendations,4566three to PHMSA, one to the Gas Piping Technology Committee, and one to4567UGI Corporation directly addressed the safety concerns surrounding4568Aldyl-A. To date, while these recipients are making varying degrees of4569progress towards fulfilling these recommendations, they have not4570completed our recommended actions. These recommendations include:45714572 For PHMSA to issue an advisory bulletin to all regulated4573 natural gas distribution pipeline operators referencing4574 distribution integrity management program regulations and4575 encouraging those operators to:45764577 Complete a one-time inventory of all plastic assets4578 that are located in environments that experience or are at4579 risk of elevated temperatures;45804581 Continue, during maintenance and new construction4582 projects, to identify plastic assets that are in elevated4583 temperature environments; and45844585 Evaluate and mitigate risks to deter the degradation4586 of these assets.45874588 For PHMSA to issue an advisory bulletin that reviews the4589 details of the March 24, 2023, natural gas-fueled explosion and4590 fire in West Reading and advise all regulated natural gas4591 distribution pipeline operators to address the risk associated4592 with Aldyl A service tees with Delrin inserts, including4593 replacing or remediating them.45944595 For PHMSA to evaluate industry's implementation of the gas4596 distribution pipeline integrity management requirements and4597 develop updated guidance for improving their effectiveness. The4598 evaluation should specifically consider factors that may4599 increase the likelihood of failure such as age, increase the4600 overall risk (including factors that simultaneously increase4601 the likelihood and consequence of failure), and limit the4602 effectiveness of leak management programs.46034604 For the Gas Piping Technology Committee to develop guidance4605 for natural gas pipeline operators to ensure that their4606 distribution integrity management programs appropriately assess4607 and address threats to plastic pipelines posed by nearby assets4608 that may elevate the temperature of the environment near the4609 pipeline.46104611 For UGI Corporation to inventory all their plastic natural4612 gas assets that may be located in elevated temperature4613 environments and address the risk associated with these assets.46144615 PHMSA and operators need to look at these recommendations and take4616the requisite actions to address the risks posed by Aldyl-A service4617tees with Delrin inserts.46184619 Highway Safety and learning from the Aviation industry's safe4620system approach. Each year, nearly 40,000 people are killed and 5.14621million are injured in car accidents across the country. In the state4622of Washington there were over 3,000 traffic accidents last year in4623which someone was seriously injured or killed. In the past 10 years,4624the number of people suffering serious injuries as the result of4625traffic incidents in the state of Washington has increased 70 percent.4626 In the aviation industry, we recognize the need for a safe system4627approach that includes redundant safety measures to ensure human error4628does not cause a deadly accident.46294630 Question 1. What would a safe system approach to roadway safety4631mean?4632 Answer. As I have championed throughout my first term at the Board,4633and even preceding my time at the Board, I believe safety management4634systems are an incredibly effective tool for any organization to4635properly manage their risk--and these can apply to roadway safety as4636well. The Department of Transportation's Safe System Approach (SSA),4637while differing from a true safety management system, is a good first4638step in my opinion to implementing a safe system approach to roadway4639safety. The six core principles of the SSA--death and serious injuries4640are unacceptable, humans make mistakes, humans are vulnerable,4641responsibility is shared, safety is proactive, and redundancy is4642crucial--lay the groundwork for how a SMS-like system can be integrated4643to our Nation's transportation systems, and I look forward to4644evaluating and partnering with DOT and Congress as this develops.46454646 Question 2. How can new technologies, including lane keeping4647assistance and automatic emergency braking, help prevent fatal traffic4648accidents?4649 Answer. As the Board has stated many times in the past, advanced4650driver assistance systems (ADAS)--including lane departure warnings and4651automatic emergency braking--are designed to assist drivers perform4652driving tasks and detect and avoid hazards. Broader adoption of these4653technologies by automobile manufacturers will undoubtedly save lives.4654As the main proponent of connected vehicle technology on the Board, I4655would also be remiss to not mention the incredible opportunity4656deploying vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology can have on reducing4657roadway fatalities and serious injuries. I believe V2X is one of the4658most promising life-saving technologies available today, with one NHTSA4659study estimating that V2X could address up to 80 percent of all crashes4660involving non-impaired drivers.4661 ______46624663 Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Amy Klobuchar to4664 Michael Graham4665 At-Grade Rail Crossings. Grade crossings are among the deadliest4666spaces in our rail system. I've been working to reduce the risk of4667accidents between pedestrians, vehicles and trains and make sure first4668responders are not blocked by trains during emergencies.46694670 If confirmed, will you commit to improving safety at4671 railroad crossings? If so, how will you address this safety4672 issue?4673 Answer. I will absolutely continue working with my fellow Board4674Members and our team at the NTSB to improve safety at railroad4675crossings. This is one of the longest-standing issues the Board has4676dealt with in railroad safety, and we still have significant work to4677do. While there are many actions that can be taken to improve safety at4678these crossings, I believe one of the most important things we can do4679right now is to increase public awareness of the Emergency Notification4680Systems (ENS) that are available at every highway-rail grade crossing4681nationwide. Instead of trying to call 9-1-1 from a vehicle stuck at a4682crossing, signs are posted at each of these crossings to immediately4683get in touch with the railroad responsible for the crossing. Contacting4684the railroad directly as soon as possible if there is a disabled4685vehicle on the tracks is the best way to prevent collisions at these4686crossings, and I will continue to raise public awareness for these4687signs.4688 Additionally, I continue to advocate for FRA to require ground4689protection for trains conducing shoving movements through highway-4690railroad grade crossings equipped only with flashing lights or passive4691warning devices (Recommendation R-23-019) and for FRA and Class I4692railroads to increase accident reporting at these crossings4693(Recommendations R-18-015 and R-14-048). Taking these and other actions4694NTSB has recommended can help address this important safety issue.46954696 Close Calls & Runway Incursions. There has been an alarming number4697of close calls on runways in recent years. We need to ensure planes are4698equipped with existing technology that would alert pilots to the4699presence of other planes on the runway.47004701 Can you discuss why it is important to invest in4702 technologies that make our runways safer?4703 Answer. Takeoffs and landings account for the majority of accidents4704in aviation, and even a brief lapse in awareness on the runway can have4705devastating consequences. We have had far too many runway incursions4706for part 121 and part 135 aircraft over the last few years. That's why4707investing in technologies that make our runways safer is essential.4708These technologies, some of which I have been able to witness4709firsthand, can protect against miscommunication, fatigue, or poor4710visibility--the kinds of challenges that even the most skilled pilots4711and controllers face. They also help manage what humans can't control:4712weather. Rain, fog, snow, and ice can all increase risk, but with4713better surface monitoring and real-time condition reporting, we can4714keep operations safe in all environments. Additionally, as our skies4715grow busier, these tools will allow airports to handle more traffic4716while maintaining and enhancing safety standards. As a former pilot, I4717believe enhancing runway safety through technological investments is4718critical.4719 ______47204721 Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Jacky Rosen to4722 Michael Graham4723Topic: Transportation Safety Issues for Rural Tourist Destinations4724 In Nevada, where tourism drives a significant part of our economy,4725safe and reliable transportation is essential--not just in urban4726centers like Las Vegas, but also in the rural areas that welcome4727visitors to our national parks, recreation areas, and historic towns.4728Many of these communities see millions of visitors per year but are4729themselves quite small--relying on limited infrastructure and having4730fewer resources to respond to transportation-related safety issues.47314732 Question 1. Mr. Graham, if re-confirmed, how will you ensure the4733NTSB's transportation safety recommendations made in the wake of4734accidents reflect the needs and capacities of rural communities,4735especially those that are tourist hubs that see more than their fair4736share of visitors by road, rail, and air? What specific steps would you4737take to make sure these areas receive the attention and support they4738need to keep visitors safe?4739 Answer. There is no doubt our rural communities face unique4740challenges when it comes to transportation safety across all modes. For4741example, we know rural communities along interstates are often forced4742to deal with large trucks on local roads due to insufficient truck4743parking in many areas of this country. NTSB is intentionally generic4744when we issue recommendations to give regulators and industry broad4745flexibility to adopt our recommendations for different environments--4746including rural ones. We have also issued specific recommendations in4747the past to various recipients specifically focusing on rural4748communities, including one recommendation that the American Bus4749Association and United Motorcoach Association have yet to fulfill from47502009 (Recommendation H-09-009) which asks them to each inform their4751membership about, among other things, the risks of operating in rural4752areas without wireless telephone coverage and advising their members to4753carry mobile cellular amplifiers or satellite-based devices to4754communicate emergency events. If confirmed to another term, I commit to4755working with you, the Nevada Department of Transportation, and any4756other stakeholders in your state or nationwide on improvements NTSB can4757make to our recommendations to better serve rural communities.4758 ______47594760 Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Ben Ray Lujan to4761 Michael Graham4762 Question 1. President Trump has, to date, refused to nominate any4763Democrats to any open seats on independent boards and commissions--this4764is a stark departure from the longstanding practice of pairing the4765nominations of a Republican and a Democrat together. Yes or no, based4766on your experience at the NTSB over the last five years, do you believe4767in the importance of bipartisanship on independent boards and4768commissions?4769 Answer. While I cannot speak for any other boards or commissions in4770the Federal government, yes, I have seen the benefits of bipartisanship4771and diversity of thought during my first term at the NTSB.47724773 Question 2. Unfortunately, on May 5th of this year, President Trump4774illegally fired former National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB),4775Vice Chair Alvin Brown--a Democrat--without any explanation. As you4776know, NTSB is an independent agency and by statute, the President may4777fire a Board member only for quote, ``inefficient, neglect of duty, or4778malfeasance.'' Mr. Graham, are you personally aware of any4779``inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance'' from former Vice4780Chair Alvin Brown?4781 Answer. While I am not personally aware of any specific4782``inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance'' regarding former Vice4783Chair Brown, as I mentioned in the hearing, individual Board Members4784ultimately have limited interaction with each other by Congress'4785design. Because no more than two of us can be in a room at any time4786deliberating on matters before the Board without violating the4787Government in the Sunshine Act, we each operate our offices fairly4788independently, meaning we have limited insights into other Member's4789day-to-day operations, thought processes, or actions.47904791 Question 3. Given that President Trump has illegally fired Vice4792Chair Brown, how can you ensure me that you will operate independently4793without fear of being fired yourself?4794 Answer. I have always understood that all Board Members at the NTSB4795serve at the pleasure of the President. NTSB's independence and4796reputation are paramount to what we do, and it is and will continue to4797be my top priority to maintain and promote both.47984799 Question 4. The purpose of the National Transportation Safety Board4800is to ensure that every form of transportation is safe for Americans.4801Yes or No: Would you take an action that is in conflict with those4802goals due to political pressure?4803 Answer. No, I would not. Transportation safety is not political.4804The public's safety on a commercial aircraft, in a vehicle, on a boat,4805or on a train does not depend on race, ethnicity, religion, or any4806factors other than the strength of the safety systems surrounding them.4807I have been focused on analyzing, evaluating, and improving these4808safety systems in all modes of transportation throughout my tenure at4809the NTSB, and that is what I will continue to do if confirmed.48104811 Question 5. Yes or No: Would you go against a direct order from the4812President or his cabinet if you believed it put lives at risk or was4813illegal? ``I do not believe the President would ever give such an4814order'' or any similarly evasive statement is not an acceptable answer.4815 Answer. I have always acted independently throughout my tenure at4816the Board, and I will continue to do the same if confirmed for a second4817term.48184819 Question 6. Yes or No: Did Joe Biden lawfully win the 20204820presidential election?4821 Answer. President Biden was elected President, and I continued to4822serve at his pleasure throughout the duration of his term in office.4823There is no greater honor and responsibility than to be a public4824servant, and I have always upheld that standard no matter which4825administration is in the White House.48264827 Question 7. Yes or No: Did Donald Trump lawfully win the 20244828presidential election?4829 Answer. Yes.4830 ______48314832 Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. John Hickenlooper to4833 Michael Graham4834Incident Investigations4835 When tragedies and crises strike, National Transportation Safety4836Board's (NTSB) personnel work tirelessly to investigate incidents to4837find a root cause and produce recommendations to save lives.4838 Transportation systems underpin our economy-from aviation to rail4839and beyond.48404841 Question 1. Mr. Graham, in your time at NTSB, have you noticed any4842trends or patterns in the types of incidents the agency has to4843investigate?4844 Answer. In just the last five years, we have seen an incredible4845explosion of new technologies across all modes of transportation. When4846I came to the Board, autonomous vehicles were still a relatively new4847phenomenon; now, not only are driverless cars deployed in several major4848cities nationwide, but autonomous aircraft and marine vessels are4849entering the market. While many of these new technologies have4850incredible promise, they also impact our investigations. I have noticed4851our investigations have become much more complex as new technologies4852are introduced across all modes of transportation, and as an agency we4853must carefully evaluate how these technologies impact the accidents we4854investigate--for better or for worse.48554856 Question 2. Mr. Graham, considering that NTSB investigations4857currently average 12 to 18 months to complete, what could Congress4858provide the NTSB to help shorten the time it takes to produce4859investigative findings?4860 Answer. As an agency, we have struggled to meet our authorized4861staffing levels for years because of the immense knowledge and4862technical expertise that is necessary to fill many roles at the NTSB. I4863believe taxpayers get an incredible return on their investment in our4864agency, and that investment has only yielded better returns as the4865NTSB's mandates have grown over the last two decades while our budget4866has not. I am grateful for Congress' continued investment in and4867support of the NTSB, but as our mandates continue to grow, we must4868either grow with them or sacrifice other things like timeliness on4869certain investigations.4870 ______48714872 Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. John Fetterman to4873 Michael Graham4874 Question 1. Last Congress, I co-led the Railway Safety Act with4875several of my Republican colleagues, including the current Vice4876President. We wrote this bill to help make sure that tragedies like the4877derailment in East Palestine, Ohio would never happen again. This was a4878solid bill that would improve railway safety.4879 You led the NTSB's response to the East Palestine derailment and4880following this response, the NTSB issued 34 recommendations to make4881rail safer. Unfortunately, many of these recommendations are still open4882and they haven't been addressed by the Department of Transportation or4883our railroads.48844885 Do you believe the NTSB's recommendations following the East4886Palestine derailment should be fully implemented?4887 Answer. Absolutely, I do. Being the Board Member on scene for this4888accident, no community should ever have to suffer as much as East4889Palestine did from what was an entirely preventable accident. Each one4890of our 34 recommendations stemmed from specific findings and evidence4891we uncovered throughout the course of our investigation, which means I4892believe all 34 recommendations are essential to ensuring this type of4893accident never happens again.48944895 Will the NTSB re-issue or reiterate these recommendations in the4896future?4897 Answer. In the very near future, NTSB will be responding to the4898first round of responses we received from the FRA, PHMSA, and Norfolk4899Southern. We have already received and responded to information we have4900received from DOT, Ohio, the Columbiana County Emergency Management4901Agency, the Association of American Railroads, the National Volunteer4902Fire Council and other firefighting organizations, the Chlorine4903Institute, the American Chemistry Council, and Oxy Vinyls, LP. Each4904time we receive a response from each of these entities to our4905recommendations, the Board considers whether or not to reclassify each4906recommendation. Once the Board has determined what classification the4907recommendation will receive, a response from the entire Board is sent4908to the recipient reiterating the recommendation and explaining the4909Board's rationale behind our classification determination.4910Additionally, if in the course of an investigation we encounter a4911safety issue we have seen before and there is an open recommendation4912that addresses that same issue, we will reiterate the open4913recommendation, rather than issuing a new recommendation on the same4914topic. This gives weight to the urgency and importance of addressing4915the recommendation. In short--yes, we will be constantly following up4916on these recommendations to all recipients as per our normal processes.4917I am happy to work with you and any other stakeholders in helping all4918of these recipients complete our recommended actions.4919 ______49204921 Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Maria Cantwell to4922 Dr. Ethan A. Klein4923 AI Regulation. On September 10, 2025, the Senate Commerce Committee4924heard from the Office of Science and Technology Policy's (OSTP)4925Director, Michael Kratsios, on the White House AI Action Plan and from4926Chair Cruz on his `light touch' approach, which includes creating an AI4927sandbox where the OSTP Director could waive Federal regulations on AI.4928I agree that America must move quickly to maintain our edge in AI and4929stay ahead of China in this race.4930 History shows that simply sweeping aside rules without putting a4931real framework in place is not pro-innovation. A `wild west' approach4932does not give industry the standards, test beds, or certainty it needs4933to build trust and encourage long-term adoption.49344935 Question 1. Yes or No: Do you believe it is appropriate for the4936OSTP Director to have unilateral authority to waive Federal regulations4937in an AI sandbox, as Chair Cruz has proposed?4938 Answer. Regulatory sandboxes are an invaluable tool to enable the4939deployment and testing of technologies in real-world settings to4940collect the data needed to update regulatory regimes, without4941compromising safety. OSTP does not read the legislation to provide the4942Director unilateral authority to waive Federal regulations, but rather4943to give the Director a leading role in advancing innovative uses of4944emerging technologies to support their responsible deployment. I4945believe it is essential for OSTP to work with the relevant agencies to4946examine existing rules and regulations and identify needed changes that4947will help us to maintain our Nation's edge in AI and foster4948innovations.49494950 Question 2. Yes or No: Do you agree that preempting state laws4951without simultaneously building a Federal framework with real4952guardrails would leave both consumers and industry at risk? Why or why4953not?4954 Answer. President Trump has made clear his concerns about how a4955patchwork of state AI laws will compromise U.S. leadership.4956Applications of AI are today already regulated at the sector-specific,4957use-case-specific level by relevant Federal bodies, including the4958Federal Aviation Administration, the Food and Drug Administration,4959etc., with appropriate guardrails consistent with those bodies'4960statutory missions. Where appropriate, greater regulatory clarity, or4961in some cases, new regulations may be needed at the Federal level to4962enable responsible AI innovation. If confirmed, I look forward to4963working with you and your colleagues to ensure sufficient Federal4964frameworks for AI applications are in place.49654966 Question 3. What minimum protections do you think Congress should4967ensure are in place before preemption is even considered?4968 Answer. As discussed above, applications of AI are already4969regulated at the sector-specific, use-case-specific level by relevant4970Federal bodies. If confirmed, I look forward to working with you and4971your colleagues to ensure sufficient Federal frameworks for AI4972applications are in place.49734974 Question 4. Last Congress, this Committee introduced several bills4975that are consistent with the White House AI Action Plan. For example,4976the Future of AI Innovation Act, NSF AI Education Act, and Small4977Business AI Training Act all encourage AI innovation by creating AI4978standards, testbeds, R&D, workforce development, and AI adoption in4979small businesses. Would you support those bills for this Congress?4980 Answer. If confirmed, I look forward to working with you and your4981colleagues on any legislation that promotes and protects continued4982American leadership in AI innovation.49834984 Spectrum Management and National Competitiveness. OSTP has4985historically played a crucial role in advising the President on4986spectrum policy--one of the most valuable resources in our digital4987economy.4988 Previous Chief Technology Officers (CTO) have been instrumental in4989shaping America's wireless future, coordinating between agencies to4990balance competing demands from aviation safety, national defense,4991commercial carriers, and innovation. The office that you are nominated4992to, and that you have been serving in, helps determine whether America4993leads in 6G, whether critical safety systems operate without4994interference, and whether American innovators have the spectrum they4995need to build the next generation of innovations. These aren't just4996technical decisions--they're choices about what we value as a nation.49974998 Question 1. Knowing that Wi-Fi carries more than 70 percent of4999mobile data traffic, would you support policies that could degrade Wi-5000Fi performance for millions of Americans by reducing unlicensed5001spectrum allocations?5002 Answer. While the President's statutory telecommunications advisor5003is the NTIA Administrator and the unlicensed non-federal spectrum that5004Wi-Fi uses is administered by the FCC, OSTP can provide technical5005leadership to ensure that America's airwaves are used effectively and5006efficiently. If confirmed, I look forward to collaborating with your5007office so that our spectrum policy remains predicated on sound5008technical decisions that ensures this precious resource is stewarded in5009a manner consistent with the national interest.50105011 Question 2. The World Radiocommunication Conference happens every5012four years and is the venue where countries and regions around the5013world determine global and regional spectrum policy. OSTP has long5014played a significant role in coordinating the U.S. positions for this5015conference. Are you concerned about securing international support for5016U.S. spectrum priorities when the Administration's trade wars may have5017alienated our allies and partners?5018 Answer. The Trump Administration remains committed to delivering5019spectrum leadership at WRC-27 that advances American interests. Because5020of President Trump, we have never been in a stronger negotiating5021position to deliver wins for the American people. If confirmed, I look5022forward to working with you and your office on supporting American5023technology interests at WRC and other important standards fora.50245025 Spectrum and Reconciliation. OSTP plays an important role in5026providing technical advice and counsel to the President about5027technology issues, including on issues impacting a range of5028stakeholders across government and industry. The recently passed5029reconciliation bill requires that critical bands of Federal spectrum be5030sold for commercial use, which could compromise mission-critical safety5031functions.50325033 Question 1. Yes or No: Should we put aviation safety at risk for5034marginal improvements in 5G speeds?5035 Answer. I believe you are referencing the FCC's intention to study5036portions of the Upper C band (3.98-4.2 GHz) for future auction, which5037is adjacent to spectrum used by aircraft radio altimeters. I have been5038following this issue closely and am optimistic that a combination of5039technology and policy innovations can deliver a win-win outcome where5040new spectrum resources are unlocked for advanced mobile communications5041while also ensuring aviation safety. While spectrum issues are often5042considered zero-sum, I believe that collaboration between the telecom5043and aviation industries, their regulators, and stakeholders--in5044combination with rigorous technical analysis--can deliver outcomes that5045keep America leading the 6G race, protect travelers, and enhance5046national security. If confirmed, I look forward to working with you and5047your office on this matter.50485049 Question 2. Yes or No: Should we degrade our ability to predict5050hurricanes, fires, floods, or tornadoes by reallocating spectrum that5051enables these radar and satellite systems?5052 Answer. Spectrum resources--both on the Federal and non-Federal5053table of allocations--are used to support a number of vital national5054missions, including weather prediction, satellite communications, and5055national defense. There are a number of spectrum resources used for5056weather satellites and terrestrial radars across a wide range of bands,5057and each individual allocation has unique technical challenges and5058opportunities. I agree that these national missions are vital. If5059confirmed, I commit to ensuring that OSTP remains positioned as a5060technical leader to support the President and the interagency on5061spectrum matters.50625063 Experience. The U.S. CTO plays a pivotal role in setting the5064Nation's science and technology priorities, coordinating across Federal5065agencies, and advising the President directly. It is a position that5066requires both deep technical expertise and experience navigating the5067complex machinery of government. Others that have held this role5068include a former Virginia Secretary of Technology, Vice President of5069Business Development at Google, and CTO of the U.S. Department of5070Health and Human Services.50715072 Question 1. Please outline the relevant experience you bring to the5073CTO role specifically.5074 Answer. I agree that the USCTO role within OSTP requires deep5075technical expertise and experience navigating the complex machinery of5076government. I am the first CTO nominee with a PhD, having spent years5077exploring the frontiers of scientific understanding and engineering5078novel nuclear technologies, working with both international research5079institutes and leading national laboratories. I am also the nominee5080with the most experience working in OSTP, having worked in or supported5081the office under three Administrations and for nearly six years in5082varying capacities.5083 During my first stint as a tech policy advisor at OSTP in the first5084Trump Administration, I worked on a broad range of emerging technology5085initiatives, drafting executive actions across AI, nuclear, biotech,5086and drones. I led interagency policy development efforts on critical5087technologies like nuclear fusion, drafted guidance on Federal research5088and development budget priorities, and coordinated Presidential5089convenings with Fortune 100 CEOs on topics including ``American5090Leadership in Emerging Technologies'' and ``AI for American Industry.''5091 Outside of government, I have held varied roles advising ``little5092tech'' on engaging with government as a venture fellow at a deep-tech5093incubator; providing American aerospace manufacturing companies with5094financial advisory at an investment bank; and organizing national5095security technology career fairs, hackathons, and policy events as the5096co-founder of a mission-focused organization. These experiences across5097the science and technology ecosystem have given me a unique vantage5098point on the government policies needed to support continued American5099innovation.51005101 Question 2. What is the largest team of employees you have managed?5102 Answer. I have led diverse and interdisciplinary teams in multiple5103contexts. During my Ph.D. at MIT, I worked on large, collaborative5104projects involving national laboratories, academic researchers, and5105junior graduate students, efforts that required coordination across5106institutional boundaries and mentorship of early-career scientists. At5107OSTP, I led multi-month policy development efforts that involved a5108dozen different department and agency representatives. In a small but5109high-impact office like OSTP, effective management is less about top-5110down direction and more about enabling experts to excel. Portfolio5111areas are led by technical policy advisors who are the subject-matter5112authorities in their domains. If confirmed, I will seek to play a5113supportive and amplifying role--removing obstacles, aligning5114priorities, and ensuring OSTP's technical policy advisors have the5115resources and visibility they need to drive ambitious interagency5116policy efforts.51175118 Sexual Harassment at Research Institutions. GAO recently sent out5119for agency comment a report entitled ``Actions Needed to Ensure5120Consistent Agency Policies for Research Institutions.'' The report5121found that although it is OSTP's responsibility to monitor how other5122agencies develop their policies to address sexual harassment at5123federally funded research institutions, they do not have staff in place5124to lead this effort, and that their imposed guidelines omit key5125elements required under the Research and Development, Competition, and5126Innovation Act (enacted as a part of the CHIPS Act in 2022).51275128 Question 1. If confirmed, will you prioritize bringing on staff to5129address this important matter, if OSTP has not yet?5130 Answer. Those guidelines were developed during the Biden5131Administration, as I understand OSTP has noted to GAO. In addition, I5132understand OSTP staff communicated to GAO that OSTP is actively working5133to recruit subject matter experts in multiple disciplines and are5134looking forward to re-convening the National Science and Technology5135Council, which brings together interagency experts to address key5136topics, such as this one. If confirmed, I will support OSTP efforts to5137coordinate Federal research agency efforts to reduce the prevalence of5138sex-based and sexual harassment involving award personnel.51395140 Question 2. One of the key elements required by the Act that was5141omitted in OSTP's policy guidelines was the need for recipients to5142report initiated investigations and for agencies to share harassment5143reports. GAO has warned this creates a gap that may enable repeat5144offenders to continue receiving Federal support. If confirmed, will you5145advocate for a change to address this discrepancy?5146 Answer. If confirmed, I will support OSTP efforts to coordinate5147Federal research agency efforts to reduce the prevalence of sex-based5148and sexual harassment involving award personnel, including ensuring5149repeat offenders do not continue receiving Federal support.51505151 Fusion. Fusion energy has the potential to provide a virtually5152limitless source of clean, safe, and reliable power, and Washington5153State is home to some of the most advanced private fusion companies in5154the country. OSTP will have an important role in coordinating Federal5155research and supporting pathways for commercialization.51565157 Question 1. What specific actions should the Federal government be5158taking to accelerate fusion energy development and deployment, and how5159can OSTP best support both public-private partnerships and research5160initiatives in this field?5161 Answer. The government can pursue prizes challenges, public-private5162partnerships, and other novel funding mechanisms to pursue fusion and5163other emerging technologies. Federal support for accelerating fusion5164energy development deployment can include continued support for fusion5165R&D, use of experimental facilities and data, and pro-innovation policy5166to promote a global fusion market. Programs such as the Fusion5167Innovation Research Engine (FIRE) Collaboratives and the Innovation5168Network for Fusion Energy (INFUSE) awards can encourage collaboration5169between the private fusion industry, DOE national labs, and5170universities.5171 ______51725173 Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Amy Klobuchar to5174 Dr. Ethan A. Klein5175 AI Rules of the Road. I am working to make sure we have stronger5176rules of the road in place when it comes to AI use. My bill with5177Majority Leader Thune--the AI Research, Innovation, and Accountability5178Act--for example, would improve testing and evaluation for critical-5179impact AI systems used to make decisions about critical infrastructure.51805181 If confirmed, will you work with me to develop thoughtful5182 Federal standards that can help drive the adoption of AI across5183 industries?5184 Answer. If confirmed, I will work with you and your colleagues on5185any legislation that promotes and protects continued American5186leadership in AI innovation.51875188 Data Center Energy Demands. A December 2024 report from the North5189American Electric Reliability Corporation indicated Minnesota's5190regional energy grid is at high risk for a shortfall in electricity5191supply over the next five years. I am concerned that the increased5192demand for electricity from AI data centers will only make this worse,5193leaving Americans with rising utility bills and unpredictable5194blackouts.51955196 How are you working to ensure that American households do5197 not shoulder the cost of energy shortfalls?5198 Answer. President Trump has been clear about the need for American5199energy dominance. We know that more energy generation must be connected5200to the grid. Expanding centralized energy generation across a range of5201sources, including advanced nuclear, remains critical to maintaining5202grid reliability and affordability. If confirmed, I look forward to5203working with you to advance policies that preserve affordability for5204ratepayers.52055206 How can the Federal government help industry improve the5207 load balancing capabilities of data centers to prevent5208 blackouts?5209 Answer. President Trump has also been clear that for American5210energy dominance companies must be able to supply their own power. If5211confirmed, I look forward to working with you to advance policies that5212preserve affordability for ratepayers and ensure stable load for all5213consumers, including data center operators, achieving energy dominance5214without compromising American leadership in AI.5215 ______52165217 Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Ben Ray Lujan to5218 Dr. Ethan A. Klein5219 Question 1. Yes or No: Do you believe that the Federal government5220should push for more transparency in the scientific process?5221 Answer. I agree that science should be transparent and constantly5222challenged in order to advance the scientific process. Transparency in5223science enables researchers to build off of one another's results,5224which is why transparency is one of the nine tenets specifically called5225out in President Trump's executive order on ``Restoring Gold Standard5226Science.''52275228 Question 2. Yes or No: Do you believe that Federal decision-making5229should be grounded in science?5230 Answer. Federal decision-making should be informed by the best5231available science, with full recognition of its uncertainties,5232alongside other considerations such as legal, economic, and security5233factors. That is why in May, President Trump signed Executive Order523414303 ``Restoring Gold Standard Science,'' and in June, the OSTP5235Director issued guidance to agencies on how to implement gold standard5236science across their agency activities.52375238 Question 3. Yes or No: Do you believe scientific endeavors should5239be free from political influence?5240 Answer. I believe that scientific research and discovery should be5241free from political influence. At the same time, scientific endeavors,5242such as setting priorities for R&D funding or launching national5243initiatives, should align with the administration's broader priorities5244and must serve the public interest.52455246 Question 4. What will you do if you are asked or instructed to make5247a decision that is directly contrary to the scientific evidence?5248 Answer. The role of OSTP is to ensure that the best available5249scientific understanding is clearly represented in interagency5250discussions and in advice to the President and senior decisionmakers.5251Scientific evidence is rarely the only factor, with legal, economic,5252and security considerations factoring into policy decisions. If5253confirmed, I will ensure that the scientific evidence is accurately5254represented and adequately considered in its proper role within the5255broader decision-making process.52565257 Question 5. What is your strategy for pushing for greater reliance5258on scientific findings within the current administration?5259 Answer. In May 2025, President Trump signed an executive order to5260restore gold standard science, and in June, the OSTP Director issued5261guidance to agencies on how to implement gold standard science across5262their activities. If confirmed, I will work with agencies to ensure5263that they are implementing gold standard science in accordance with5264these directives.52655266 Question 6. Yes or No: Would you go against a direct order from the5267President or his cabinet if you believed it put lives at risk or was5268illegal? ``I do not believe the President would ever give such an5269order'' or any similarly evasive statement is not an acceptable answer.5270 Answer. The President would never give such an order, and I would5271not do anything unlawful or put lives at risk.52725273 Question 7. Yes or No: Did Joe Biden lawfully win the 20205274presidential election?5275 Answer. Joe Biden was certified as the winner of the 20205276presidential election.52775278 Question 8. Yes or No: Did Donald Trump lawfully win the 20245279presidential election?5280 Answer. Donald Trump was certified as the winner of the 20245281presidential election.5282 ______52835284 Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. John Hickenlooper to5285 Dr. Ethan A. Klein5286Artificial Intelligence--Road Ahead5287 AI is a transformative technology that is kickstarting another5288industrial revolution.5289 The recent AI Action Plan calls for new investments in R&D to5290enable researchers to experiment with AI models in the cloud-based5291National AI Research Resource (NAIRR), better understand how AI model5292outputs are created based on user inputs--AI interpretability, and5293increase investments to help users identify and detect AI-generated5294content.5295 More work needs to be done to establish new standards for issues5296such as independent evaluations for AI model development and use and5297copyright protections for the creative works of artists.52985299 Question 1. Mr. Klein, how would you work to ensure the5300perspectives of companies, academics, consumers, and states are5301incorporated into OSTP's coordination of the AI Action Plan?5302 Answer. The role of OSTP is to coordinate implementation of the AI5303Action Plan across the Federal Government, while ensuring that the5304perspectives of all relevant stakeholders are meaningfully represented.5305The RFI issued by OSTP in formulating the AI Action Plan received5306nearly 10,000 responses from across society. If confirmed, I will work5307to ensure that engagement mechanisms, such as public comment5308opportunities and stakeholder roundtables, are used to their full5309effect to solicit a broad and myriad set of perspectives that can5310meaningfully inform the Action Plan's implementation and achievement of5311the objectives detailed therein.5312Quantum5313 Quantum Information Science (QIS) is another disruptive technology5314that will transform our world. Quantum sensing technologies can help us5315better detect critical mineral deposits and methane emissions. Quantum5316computing will revolutionize how we analyze large datasets and design5317pharmaceuticals.5318 The National Quantum Coordination Office sits within OSTP and5319oversees the Federal government's efforts to lead the world in quantum.5320 Colorado's Elevate Quantum Regional Tech Hub is working with5321industry, academia, and Federal agencies to bring quantum technologies5322to real life commercial scale.53235324 Question 2. Mr. Klein, what priorities would you recommend Congress5325consider as part of the reauthorization of the National Quantum5326Initiative? How could a reauthorized NQIA coordinate with existing5327federally-funded innovation hubs focused on quantum research,5328commercialization, manufacturing, or workforce development?5329 Answer. Thank you for your commitment to American leadership in5330QIS. With the NQI reauthorization, Congress can act to strengthen the5331commitment to U.S. leadership, through promoting additional research5332and continuing to grow the quantum workforce. Given the increasing5333maturity of the technology, an increased focus on engineering, enabling5334technologies, and commercialization is now needed to ensure the5335technology advances to the point that end-users will recognize the5336impact of the technology, the markets will develop, and the technology5337will become profitable. If confirmed, I look forward to working with5338you and your office on supporting continued American leadership in QIS.5339 ______53405341 Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. John Fetterman to5342 Dr. Ethan A. Klein5343 Question 1. We agree that if any nation is to win the AI race, it5344must be the United States. And we agree that the build out of5345artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure and the energy production5346to sustain data centers is critical for the United States to win this5347race.5348 But I share the concerns of many Pennsylvanians who have already5349seen their electricity bills rise between 23-40 percent over the past5350five years. The same is true for other residents within the PJM grid5351across Ohio, West Virginia, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, Washington,5352D.C., and parts of Virginia. Pennsylvania residents will eventually be5353sharing the grid with even more data centers set to be built across the5354commonwealth in the coming years.53555356 Do you believe that more energy generation needs to be connected to5357our energy grid, rather than facilitating behind the meter agreements,5358to preserve affordability for ratepayers and ensure stable load for5359data center operators?5360 Answer. We absolutely need more energy generation to be connected5361to the grid and Pennsylvania will play an indispensable part in5362increasing that capacity. Expanding centralized energy generation5363across a range of sources, including advanced nuclear, remains critical5364to maintaining grid reliability and affordability. President Trump has5365been clear about the need for American energy dominance and also for5366companies to be able to supply their own power. If confirmed, I look5367forward to working with you to advance policies that preserve5368affordability for ratepayers and ensure stable load for all consumers,5369including data center operators, achieving energy dominance without5370compromising American leadership in AI.5371 ______53725373 Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Eric Schmitt to5374 Joyce Meyer5375 Question 1. The 2020 Census faced unprecedented challenges,5376including the early closure of field operations in September due to5377COVID-19, several weeks ahead of the originally planned October 315378deadline. Given your emphasis on data integrity and leveraging5379technology:53805381 Once confirmed, how would you work to identify specific5382 geographic areas where census operations were truncated or5383 potentially incomplete?5384 Answer. If confirmed, I look forward to exploring a couple of5385options. First, I plan to work with the Census team to take a closer5386look at the 2020 post-enumeration survey and identify smaller5387geographical areas that may have been subject to undercount. Second, I5388look forward to focusing on the Census Bureau's administrative records5389infrastructure and identify areas where in-field enumeration may have5390shown insufficient coverage.53915392 What strategies would you use to coordinate with state and5393 local governments to address areas with suspected undercounts,5394 and how would you ensure the resulting data is reliable for5395 policymaking and resource allocation?5396 Answer. I share the priority of ensuring reliable, accurate data5397for policy makers and resource allocation. If confirmed, I look forward5398to working closely with state and local governments about taking an5399active role in 2030 Census planning including campaigns to encourage5400self-response in the 2030 Decennial, and exploring data-sharing5401agreements to enhance the quality of enumeration within their5402jurisdictions.5403 ______54045405 Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Maria Cantwell to5406 Joyce Meyer5407 Politicization of Government Data. Your nomination comes amid5408growing concerns about the integrity of government economic data and a5409chilling effect on our economic statistical agencies. President Trump's5410recent firing of the BLS Commissioner over the release of a new and5411revised jobs report is a deeply troubling development. I fear this is5412an intimidation tactic that could extend to other agencies, like BEA,5413which you would oversee if confirmed.54145415 Question 1. Yes or No: Would you refuse to fire the BEA Director5416for producing an accurate report?5417 Answer. The President and Secretary Lutnick have outlined that5418accuracy and integrity of data will continue to be the standard of5419performance across statistical agencies. If confirmed, I look forward5420to carrying out this shared commitment with the BEA team.54215422 Question 2. During an interview in March, Secretary Lutnick said5423``governments historically have messed with GDP.'' He went on to say5424that he planned to change how we calculate U.S. GDP by ``separating''5425government spending from the calculation. So far, it does not appear5426that has happened. Yes or No: Do you support changing how GDP is5427calculated? Why or why not?5428 Answer. Every month, BEA produces a detailed report, outlining the5429components of GDP, and many distinct measures of economic output. Under5430my leadership, if confirmed, I look forward to working with BEA to5431build upon the variety, detail, and quality of their published data. I5432am not aware of any proposal to discontinue using the current5433methodology for GDP.54345435 Question 3. Has anyone at the Commerce Department or White House5436had a conversation with you about changing how GDP is calculated? If5437yes, please specify the date, participants, and circumstances for each5438interaction.5439 Answer. I am not in the role of Undersecretary of Economic Affairs,5440and I am not aware of discussions underway on this topic.54415442 Disbandment of Commissions. In February, Secretary Lutnick5443disbanded two economic advisory committees, the Federal Economic5444Statistics Advisory Committee and the Bureau of Economic Analysis5445Advisory Committee, that had been advising the Commerce Department for5446over two decades. This includes advising on ways to best collect,5447tabulate, and analyze Federal economic statistics amid new and rapidly5448growing economic activities. But the e-mail announcing the disbandment5449stated that the committees' purposes ``have been fulfilled.''54505451 Question 1. Do you think disbanding these advisory committees helps5452improve the accuracy of BEA's data?5453 Answer. It is my understanding that BEA engages with many outside5454stakeholder voices including the academic, business, and public-sector5455communities. If confirmed, I look forward to supporting their ongoing5456efforts to receive input.54575458 Question 2. Yes or No: Would you support legislation codifying5459these advisory committees into law? Why or why not?5460 Answer. The Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 finds that5461advisory committees should only be established when essential and that5462such committees should be terminated when they are no longer carrying5463out their purpose. If confirmed, I look forward to complying with the5464law.54655466 Undermining statistics. Politicizing government data and disbanding5467advisory committees are mechanisms this Administration is using to5468undermine statistics.54695470 Question 1. Please outline specific steps that can be taken to5471prevent this Administration from further undermining statistics.5472 Answer. This Administration is prioritizing timely, accurate data5473at Federal statistical agencies and leveraging new technology and5474methods for data collection and distribution. This includes enhancing5475direct data feeds for large respondents, using public-sector and5476private-sector data sets to lessen the burden of survey data collection5477on American businesses and American households, and relying on advanced5478computing capacity to disseminate more information in a timelier5479fashion. We owe it to the American taxpayer to leverage all tools to5480provide timely, accurate data. If confirmed, I look forward to carrying5481out the commitment for timely, accurate data and complying with the5482law.54835484 Question 2. Yes or No: If you were asked to produce inaccurate5485statistics or data by the Secretary or the President, would you refuse?5486 Answer. The President and Secretary Lutnick would never ask me to5487produce inaccurate statistics or data. Additionally, the President and5488Secretary Lutnick have made clear their priority for Americans to have5489accuracy and integrity in statistics and data. If confirmed, I look5490forward to carrying out this shared commitment with the teams at BEA5491and the Census Bureau and I will comply with the law.5492 ______54935494 Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Gary Peters to5495 Joyce Meyer5496 The role you are nominated for oversees the Bureau of Economic5497Analysis (BEA), which relies on data from the Bureau of Labor5498Statistics (BLS) when it produces its estimates of Gross Domestic5499Product (GDP).55005501 Question 1. Do you believe there was any political interference5502when BLS revised the jobs numbers in July?5503 Answer. I don't have visibility into this, and it would be5504inappropriate for me to speculate on this topic.55055506 a. If so, did that political interference affect any estimates of5507GDP produced by BEA?5508 Answer. I am not in the role for which I have been nominated, and I5509do not have visibility into BEA's good work. If confirmed, I will5510comply with the law.55115512 Question 2. Do you believe that there is political interference in5513the statistics produced at the Census Bureau or Bureau of Economic5514Analysis?5515 Answer. I don't have visibility into this given I am not in the5516role. That said, I have no information that would lead me to believe5517there is political interference.55185519 Question 3. How do you plan on ensuring that BEA and the Census5520Bureau continue to produce unbiased data and statistics that can be5521trusted by the public?5522 Answer. If confirmed, I look forward to fostering a culture of5523rigor, integrity and accuracy within BEA and the Census Bureau. I also5524look forward to building upon work underway on transparency and5525relevancy of data so the details can be understood by a wider public5526audience, including those who might not be specialists in economics or5527statistics.55285529 Question 4. What would you do if the President asked you to change5530statistics produced by BEA or the Census Bureau?5531 Answer. The President and Secretary Lutnick have made clear their5532priority for Americans to have accuracy and integrity in Federal5533statistics and data. If confirmed, I look forward to carrying out this5534shared commitment with the teams at BEA and the Census Bureau and I5535will comply with the law.55365537 The Bureau of Economic Analysis produces the Federal Reserve's5538preferred data source for measuring inflation, the Personal Consumption5539Expenditures, or PCE index, which influences monetary policy. Since the5540start of the year, the President and his Administration have made it5541clear of their desires to influence the decision making of the Federal5542Open Market Committee, as shown by their public pressure campaign5543against Chair Powell and their attempted removal of Lisa Cook from her5544role on the Board of Governors.5545 Given the role that BEA plays in the Fed's decision making, I worry5546that the President will attempt to influence the BEA's inflation5547reporting in an effort to obtain his desired outcome on interest rates.55485549 Question 5. Do you agree that erosion of the Fed's independence5550would jeopardize the long-run stability of our economy?5551 Answer. The Department of Commerce, and the Census Bureau and BEA,5552provide detailed measurements of economic indicators used for policy5553decisions and decisions in the business community. Questions about the5554Federal Reserve's monetary policy decisions are outside the Department5555of Commerce and the role for which I have been nominated.55565557 Question 6. Will you commit to overseeing fair and impartial PCE5558calculations and reporting at the BEA?5559 Answer. The President and Secretary Lutnick have made clear their5560priority for Americans to have accuracy and integrity in Federal5561statistics and data. If confirmed, I look forward to carrying out this5562shared commitment with the BEA team and I will comply with the law.55635564 President Trump proposed in his budget request to Congress to5565consolidate the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the Census Bureau, and the5566Bureau of Labor Statistics into a single statistical agency under the5567Commerce Department.55685569 Question 7. Do you support consolidating these three agencies? If5570so, please explain why they should be consolidated.5571 Answer. It is my understanding that President Trump's proposed5572FY2026 budget reorganizes the BLS, BEA, and the Census Bureau at the5573Department of Commerce.55745575 Question 8. Do you acknowledge that only Congress can reorganize5576and consolidate these agencies by passing a new law?5577 Answer. If confirmed, I look forward to working with you and the5578committee on this important issue.55795580 Question 9. Do you commit to working with this Committee and my5581Committee, the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, on5582any proposal to reorganize these statistical agencies?5583 Answer. If confirmed, I look forward to working with the committees5584of jurisdiction on this important issue.55855586 In June, the Commerce Department terminated all of its Federal5587advisory committees on statistics--including committees that advise on5588trade statistics, manufacturing statistics, and the 2030 Census. These5589terminations have disrupted planning for surveys like the Census, and5590this threatens the trustworthiness of all data collected by the5591Commerce Department relied on by businesses and the public. The5592Commerce Department said these committees had been terminated because5593their ``purposes . . . had been fulfilled''--even as the Department is5594still in a critical planning moment for the 2030 Census.55955596 Question 10. If confirmed, do you commit to restoring these5597terminated advisory committees?5598 Answer. If confirmed, I will work with the teams at the Census5599Bureau and BEA to continue their engagement with outside stakeholders.56005601 Question 11. How will you ensure that Department is receiving high5602quality public input as it conducts its surveys?5603 Answer. If confirmed, I will work with and support the teams at the5604Census Bureau and BEA in their ongoing efforts to innovate and refine5605survey design to maximize response quality and expand opportunities to5606acquire alternative data sources.56075608 Question 12. Does the Constitution require that ``whole number of5609persons in each state'' be used to apportion Congressional seats?5610 Answer. Yes, this text is found in the Fourteenth Amendment,5611Section 2.56125613 Question 13. Can noncitizens be excluded from Census counts for the5614purposes of apportioning Congressional seats?5615 Answer. The Census Bureau's important work, including the Decennial5616Census, focuses on providing high-quality data for a range of users and5617purposes. If confirmed, my focus will be on supporting the Census5618Bureau's commitment to the accuracy and integrity of this data.5619 ______56205621 Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Jacky Rosen to5622 Joyce Meyer5623Question Topic: Supporting Rural and Tourism-Related Business through5624 Export Data5625 Rural businesses face unique challenges in accessing export5626markets--many times there's a lack of awareness, insufficient technical5627assistance, and an absence of infrastructure like ports, broadband, or5628transportation. One way we can support these businesses is through5629access to timely, accurate data that can help them make smart5630decisions.56315632 Question 1. Ms. Meyer, if confirmed, what role do you see the5633Bureau of Economic Analysis playing in supporting data collection and5634dissemination that helps rural businesses more successfully engage in5635international trade? How would you coordinate with the International5636Trade Administration to ensure rural exporters are not left behind?5637 Answer. If confirmed, I will work to build upon BEA's longstanding5638commitment to improve access to its data and making its information5639more actionable for all American businesses, including rural5640businesses, in partnership with ITA.56415642 Question 2. How will you ensure that export data analyzed by the5643Department of Commerce accurately reflects the impact of not only goods5644exported overseas, but also visitors from abroad coming here to the5645United States to spend their money in our country?5646 Answer. It is my understanding that BEA's international transaction5647accounts currently include services related to foreign travel in its5648export totals, and, if confirmed, I look forward to working with BEA to5649ensure that this data collection continues to innovate.5650Question Topic: Accuracy and Timeliness of Economic Data5651 Timely and accurate economic data is essential for good5652policymaking, especially in fast-changing sectors like tourism. When we5653face events like public health emergencies, natural disasters, or even5654major transportation disruptions, local economies can be impacted5655almost overnight.5656 However, the data that drives Federal response--whether it's5657emergency relief, infrastructure support, or workforce development--can5658lag behind what is actually happening on the ground, particularly in5659sectors that are seasonal, event-driven, or heavily reliant on visitor5660spending like tourism.56615662 Question 1. Ms. Meyer, if confirmed, how would you work to improve5663the timeliness of economic data and modernize forecasting tools so that5664communities, especially those that rely on tourism, receive the support5665they need, based on up-to-date and complete information? And what role5666do you see for new technologies or data sources in helping fill those5667gaps?5668 Answer. This Administration has a clear commitment to modernizing5669and improving the accuracy of data collection for a wide range of end-5670users and purposes. If confirmed, under my leadership, Census and BEA5671will continue to work towards earlier data release times and more5672detailed regional data.5673 ______56745675 Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Ben Ray Lujan to5676 Joyce Meyer5677 Question 1. On August 1, 2025, President Trump fired the5678Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) hours after the5679agency released weak monthly jobs numbers. Without any evidence,5680President Trump claimed the BLS numbers were ``rigged'' and ``phony''5681to make him look bad. If confirmed, you would oversee another national5682statistics agency--the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) in the5683Department of Commerce.56845685 Yes or no, will you commit to refusing an order from5686 President Trump or Secretary Lutnick to fire the BEA Director5687 for releasing economic data they did not like?5688 Answer. The President and Secretary Lutnick have made clear their5689priority for Americans to have accuracy and integrity in Federal5690statistics and data. If confirmed, I look forward to carrying out this5691shared commitment with the BEA team.56925693 Question 2. Ms. Meyer, During an August 12, 2025, town hall with5694BEA employees, Secretary Lutnick said the importance of statistical5695independence at Federal agencies was quote, ``nonsense'' and should5696focus only on getting quote, ``the right answer.''56975698 Yes or no, do you agree with Secretary Lutnick that5699 independence of federal statistical agencies is ``nonsense''?5700 Answer. Secretary Lutnick has made clear his priority for Americans5701to have accuracy and integrity in Federal statistics and data. If5702confirmed, I look forward to carrying out this shared commitment with5703the BEA and the Census Bureau.57045705 Question 3. Yes or No: Did Joe Biden lawfully win the 20205706presidential election?5707 Answer. Joe Biden was certified by Congress as President.57085709 Question 4. Yes or No: Did Donald Trump lawfully win the 20245710presidential election?5711 Answer. Donald Trump was certified by Congress as President.5712 ______57135714 Response to Written Question Submitted by Hon. John Hickenlooper to5715 Joyce Meyer5716Tariffs and Economic Data5717 If confirmed, you will oversee the Department of Commerce's engine5718that analyzes how our economy is performing. The Bureau of Economic5719Analysis constantly monitors new data and publishes transparent reports5720for the public to review.5721 Currently, President Trump's reciprocal tariffs are heading toward5722a review by the Supreme Court.5723 All across America, consumers and businesses on Main Street are5724monitoring the outcome of the litigation over the President's tariff5725authority.57265727 Question 1. Ms. Meyer, will you commit to ensuring the Bureau of5728Economic Analysis, under your leadership, publishes data impartially5729and without political influence?5730 Answer. The President and Secretary Lutnick have made clear their5731priority is for Americans to have accuracy and integrity in Federal5732statistics and data. If confirmed, I look forward to carrying out this5733shared commitment with the BEA team.5734 ______57355736 Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Amy Klobuchar to5737 Joyce Meyer5738 Trade & Regional Economic Impact. Right now, trade tensions and5739tariffs are creating real uncertainty for farmers, manufacturers, and5740consumers across the country, including in Minnesota. Policymakers rely5741on your office's data to assess these impacts in real time.57425743 What role do you see for the Under Secretary in providing5744 transparent, reliable data to evaluate how trade and tariff5745 policies are affecting local and regional economies?5746 Answer. The President and Secretary Lutnick have made clear their5747priority for Americans to have accuracy and integrity in Federal5748statistics and data. If confirmed, I see the Under Secretary role as5749one that carries out this shared commitment with the BEA team and I5750will comply with the law.57515752 Inflation and Economic Data. The Bureau of Economic Analysis5753produces the Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index, which is5754the Federal Reserve's preferred measure of inflation. That statistic5755directly informs decisions on interest rates that affect families,5756businesses, and markets across the country. We have also seen concerns5757raised recently about political pressure on other statistical agencies.57585759 Given the importance of the PCE Price Index to economic5760 policymaking, how will you safeguard the independence and5761 integrity of this data so that it can continue to be trusted by5762 decisionmakers and the American public as a neutral, accurate5763 reflection of inflation?5764 Answer. The President and Secretary Lutnick have made clear their5765priority for Americans to have accuracy and integrity in Federal5766statistics and data. If confirmed, I look forward to carrying out this5767shared commitment with the BEA team and I will comply with the law.57685769 [all]