In a Senate Commerce Committee nominations hearing, Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) addressed the importance of three nominees for federal roles impacting transportation safety, technology leadership, and economic affairs.
Sen. Cruz highlighted Michael Graham, nominated to continue as a member of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), describing him as an experienced aviator and safety professional. Graham’s background includes service in the Navy during Operation Desert Storm and work at Boeing/McDonnell Douglas and Textron Aviation, where he was responsible for flight operations safety. Since 2020, Graham has served on the NTSB board, contributing to investigations and initiatives aimed at improving transportation sector safety.
Ethan Klein was nominated to serve as U.S. Chief Technology Officer within the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). Sen. Cruz noted that Klein’s role is crucial in ensuring U.S. competitiveness in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. He emphasized concerns about China’s efforts to become a global leader in AI by 2030 and referenced the administration’s AI Action Plan developed with OSTP input. Klein holds a degree from MIT in nuclear science and previously served as a policy advisor at OSTP during the Trump administration, contributing to executive orders related to AI, drones, and biotechnology.
The third nominee discussed was Joyce Meyer for Under Secretary of Commerce for Economic Affairs. Sen. Cruz cited her fiscal expertise from years on Capitol Hill working with former Speaker Paul Ryan and experience in legislative affairs during the previous administration. Meyer is currently serving as a senior advisor at the Commerce Department on detail to the White House and holds an MBA from Georgetown University.
Sen. Cruz stated: “We now turn to this morning’s nominations hearing. With us today are: Michael Graham, nominee for Member of the National Transportation Safety Board; Ethan Klein, nominee for Associate Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy and U.S. Chief Technology Officer; and Joyce Meyer, nominee for Under Secretary of Commerce for Economic Affairs.
“Mr. Graham is a safety professional and aviator who began his career in the Navy flying combat missions in Operation Desert Storm. After nearly a decade of military service, he worked at Boeing/McDonnell Douglas and then at Textron Aviation, the manufacturer of the Cessna aircraft. Mr. Graham oversaw the safety, security, and standardization of all flight operations at Textron. Since January 2020, he has served as a Board Member on the NTSB, actively participating in on-site investigations, analyzing and approving reports, and spearheading initiatives to improve safety across the transportation sector.
“Our next nominee, Ethan Klein, will serve as U.S. Chief Technology Officer within OSTP. In this role, Mr. Klein will help oversee tech policy for the administration and promote development in emerging fields like artificial intelligence. We know Beijing is marshaling its state resources to become the global leader in AI by 2030. America must not fall behind. I was encouraged by the administration’s AI Action Plan, which OSTP helped to author, and I am confident Mr. Klein will be a key player in this new era of geopolitical competition.
“A MIT-educated nuclear scientist, Mr. Klein served in OSTP during the first Trump administration as a policy advisor to now-Director Michael Kratsios. He helped draft executive orders on artificial intelligence, drones, and biotechnology. And now, beyond advancing frontier research and development, he will drive the transfer of technology from lab to market—not through the heavy hand of the state, as China is doing, but in the American way, through free enterprise.
“Finally we have Joyce Meyer whose decades of fiscal and administrative experience prepare her to oversee census as Under Secretary of Commerce for Economic Affairs . On Capitol Hill , she served as long - time aide former Speaker House (and noted fiscal wonk ) Paul Ryan . In first Trump administration , she served Deputy Assistant President Legislative Affairs .
“And now , she is senior advisor Commerce Department , currently detailed White House . Ms . Meyer , who holds MBA Georgetown , will steady economic hand amid potential changes markets .
“I look forward hearing from her all our nominees today.”
