Congress

Senate Committee Votes To Advance Commerce Nominee Howard Lutnick

Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz told Broadband Breakfast he was 'certain there will be' changes to BEAD.

Jericho Casper

Feb 5, 2025 — 3 min read

Screenshot of Senate Commerce Committee Chair Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Ranking Member, Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5, 2025 – In a contentious decision, the Senate Commerce Committee voted 16-12 on Wednesday to advance Howard Lutnick’s nomination for Secretary of Commerce.

If confirmed by the full Senate, Lutnick, CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, will lead the agency responsible for key tech and telecom programs, including the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program and the approximately $280 billion CHIPS and Science Act.

Following the committee vote, Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz, R-Texas, told Broadband Breakfast that he expects changes to BEAD’s fiber preference and broader program requirements. “I’m certain there will be [changes to the program],” Cruz said. “Obviously, Lutnick has to be confirmed by the full Senate. I expect that he'll be confirmed as Commerce Secretary next week.”

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Congress Senate Commerce Committee Howard Lutnick Cantor Fitzgerald BEAD CHIPS and Science Act Biden-Harris Administration Louisiana Nevada Delaware maria cantwell Ted Cruz John Thune Arielle Roth NTIA Donald Trump Mike Johnson