In a Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee hearing on December 17, 2025, Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) emphasized the need for the United States to maintain its leadership in next-generation communications. The hearing, titled “Oversight of the Federal Communications Commission,” brought together FCC Chairman Carr and Commissioners Trusty and Gomez to discuss recent developments and future priorities.
Chairman Cruz pointed out that Congress and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must focus on expanding broadband access, reducing regulatory barriers, and updating satellite licensing frameworks. He referenced legislative achievements by Senate Republicans through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which established a spectrum pipeline and restored the FCC’s auction authority. This legislation made 800 MHz of spectrum available for commercial use.
The last time all FCC commissioners attended an oversight hearing before this was in June 2020 under then-Chairman Roger Wicker (R-Miss.).
Cruz began his remarks by stating: “Good morning. The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will come to order.
“Welcome to today’s hearing, Oversight of the Federal Communications Commission. The FCC plays a critical role in the lives of everyday Americans. From TV and radio broadcasting, to cellular and satellite communications and internet connectivity, the Commission sits at the center of the services and technologies that power Americans’ daily lives, that project American leadership and influence across the globe, and that form the backbone of our national economy. In other words, the Commission’s work is kind of a big deal.
“So, I am pleased we are joined today by our witnesses, Chairman Carr and Commissioners Trusty and Gomez, for this important hearing, and especially pleased they agree to be and that this is the first FCC oversight hearing this committee has held since 2020. I believe Commissioner Trusty was sitting right here staffing- then-Chairman Wicker at that hearing, and so commissioner it is nice to see you have moved 30 feet to the other side of the dias.
“We have lots of important ground to cover today. The pace of change in just the last year—let alone since the last FCC oversight hearing by this committee—has been astounding. We’ve seen the deployment of 5G and early groundwork for 6G, major advancements in the satellite industry, particularly the growth of low-earth orbit high-speed internet, AI, and seismic shifts across the media landscape.
“And we have seen the enactment of President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cut Act, which not only reinstated spectrum auction authority for the FCC for the next decade, but contained the largest single spectrum pipeline, 800 MHz, ever enacted into law. This will raise billions of dollars for the taxpayer, it will stimulate billions more in private sector investment as U.S. companies bring faster and cheaper Internet to more Americans, and it will lay the foundation for countless technological innovations. These benefits will be felt nationwide, and indeed worldwide, across multiple generations of Americans.
“On day one of the new administration, the FCC, under Chairman Carr, hit the ground running and already has an impressive list of accomplishments to show. These include the Delete, Delete, Delete docket which continues to clear out regulatory underbrush; ensuring integrity of Universal Service Programs; reforming satellite licensing; streamlining permitting; implementing new spectrum auctions; among others.
“Given rapid evolution in technology… it is a wonder that legal regime governing these issues… has largely not been updated since 1996… there are any number of issues—from utility of ‘public interest standard’… retransmission consent rules… media ownership caps—where statutory update might be worthwhile.”
He continued: “The world today… with mobile computers in every pocket… artificial intelligence becoming exponentially more capable… is markedly different from when cell phones were size of footballs… when AOL was leading edge... We live in a different world... worth considering whether Congress should revisit Communications Act…”
Cruz also addressed potential partisan debates over free speech standards: “On public interest standard... if my colleagues across aisle do what many expect today... hammer Chairman over newfound religion on First Amendment... I will point out those concerns were absent when Biden administration was pressuring Big Tech...”
He concluded: “I am grateful to our witnesses for being here today... energy & focus Chairman Carr has brought... productive & refreshing... excited for what next several years will bring.”
The Senate Commerce Committee reviews legislation related to commerce—including science—and transportation during congressional sessions according to its official website. It operates as a standing committee within Congress with members from both parties led by a chairman (source). The committee's responsibilities include addressing policies on interstate commerce as well as science matters (source), housing its main office at Russell Senate Office Building in Washington D.C.
