President Trump’s nominee for Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Dr. Arvind Raman, was questioned by members of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee regarding recent actions by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick that critics say have weakened support for domestic manufacturing and semiconductor research. The committee, which reviews legislation on commerce, science, and transportation issues during congressional sessions according to its official website, includes senators from both parties.
During a hearing in Washington, D.C., Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) expressed concern over the cancellation of a $7.4 billion research and development investment in Natcast, a nonprofit tasked with operating the National Semiconductor Technology Center as required by law. Cantwell stated: “NIST also administers the bipartisan CHIPS and Science investment to promote enduring global leadership in semiconductors. This includes $[11] billion for R&D to help reshore semiconductor manufacturing, train the semiconductor workforce, bridge the ‘lab-to-fab’ gap to accelerate innovation across the ecosystem, and semiconductor innovation is the foundation of who will win the future in AI and quantum computing and other critical technologies... Last year, the Secretary abruptly canceled $7.4 billion R&D investment in a nonprofit called Natcast under questionable circumstances. Natcast...was charged with operating the National Semiconductor Technology Center, which Congress required by law to operate as a public-private consortium to better integrate R&D and workforce across the semiconductor ecosystem.”
Cantwell noted that neither NIST nor the Commerce Department had provided details about how they would meet requirements set out in bipartisan legislation related to these programs. She said that whoever leads NIST must address what she described as a lack of transparency.
The committee also discussed funding cuts to the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program—a national network supporting small- and medium-sized manufacturers—which resulted in layoffs at MEP centers serving more than 600,000 manufacturers nationwide.
When asked directly if he would support MEP programs at NIST or follow congressional intent on such initiatives if confirmed as director, Raman did not provide clear answers:
Sen. Cantwell: Will you support the Manufacturing Extension Programs that are in law and under NIST?
Raman: Senator, thank you for that question. I am fully committed to this Administration's priorities to reindustrialize America, bring manufacturing back. You know, just as you've been very supportive of this, Senator. At Purdue, we've done a lot within our state of Indiana for this as well. It's the state with the highest concentration of manufacturing jobs, and so this is very near and dear to us. That being said, I am aware that there have been some IG concerns regarding the, you know, Extension Program.
Sen. Cantwell: I got one more question...just tell me—do you support the Manufacturing Extension Program?
Raman: Senator—I don't know...I don't know specifics...but I'm supportive of manufacturing.
Sen. Cantwell: You think it's a good idea to have a program at NIST—that you'll be in charge of—that is called Manufacturing Extension?
Raman: I mean—I’m very supportive of whatever we can do to make sure advanced manufacturing moves ahead here in America in whatever way possible…I just don’t know specifics…
Sen. Cantwell: We'll have to get a crisper answer for record from you…if confirmed will you commit to determining impact of agency's policy on CHIPS & Science & giving us full accounting…?
Raman: Thank you for that question Senator…as I said…advancing America's leadership in chips…will be high priority…and I intend work with this Committee & Congress…to make sure whatever resources you provide we use it most effectively…
Sen. Cantwell pressed further on policies involving equity warrants or licensing requirements attached to federal funding:
Sen. Cantwell: ...the last point is just on this equity stipulation as part of this broad agency announcement...
Raman: Again Senator—I don’t know details…the specifics...
Sen. Cantwell: Okay so read a little more about—read little bit more about that & give us an answer…Again—you’re going head this organization—we want hear your views about those policies because they're pretty big policies—we think agency making some pretty big mistakes.
The Senate Commerce Committee operates from its main office at Russell Senate Office Building in Washington D.C., focusing on commerce-related matters within Congress (source). It serves as one standing committee addressing interstate commerce along with science policy issues (source).
A video recording Sen. Cantwell’s remarks was made available following her exchange with Dr. Raman.
