[Senate Hearing 117-704]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


                                                        S. Hrg. 117-704

                       NOMINATION OF DON GRAVES,
                    NOMINEE TO BE DEPUTY SECRETARY,
                      U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

=======================================================================

                                HEARING

                               BEFORE THE

                         COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE,
                      SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION
                          UNITED STATES SENATE

                    ONE HUNDRED SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS

                             FIRST SESSION
                               __________

                             MARCH 10, 2021
                               __________

    Printed for the use of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
                             Transportation
                             
                             
                             
                  [GRAPHIC NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
                  


                Available online: http://www.govinfo.gov
                
                               __________

                    U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE
                    
53-060 PDF                 WASHINGTON : 2023                 
                

       SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION

                    ONE HUNDRED SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS

                             FIRST SESSION

                   MARIA CANTWELL, Washington, Chair
AMY KLOBUCHAR, Minnesota             ROGER WICKER, Mississippi, Ranking
RICHARD BLUMENTHAL, Connecticut      JOHN THUNE, South Dakota
BRIAN SCHATZ, Hawaii                 ROY BLUNT, Missouri
EDWARD MARKEY, Massachusetts         TED CRUZ, Texas
GARY PETERS, Michigan                DEB FISCHER, Nebraska
TAMMY BALDWIN, Wisconsin             JERRY MORAN, Kansas
TAMMY DUCKWORTH, Illinois            DAN SULLIVAN, Alaska
JON TESTER, Montana                  MARSHA BLACKBURN, Tennessee
KYRSTEN SINEMA, Arizona              TODD YOUNG, Indiana
JACKY ROSEN, Nevada                  MIKE LEE, Utah
BEN RAY LUJAN, New Mexico            RON JOHNSON, Wisconsin
JOHN HICKENLOOPER, Colorado          SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO, West 
RAPHAEL WARNOCK, Georgia                 Virginia
                                     RICK SCOTT, Florida
                                     CYNTHIA LUMMIS, Wyoming
                    David Strickland, Staff Director
                 Melissa Porter, Deputy Staff Director
       George Greenwell, Policy Coordinator and Security Manager
                 John Keast, Republican Staff Director
            Crystal Tully, Republican Deputy Staff Director
                      Steven Wall, General Counsel

                            C O N T E N T S

                              ----------                              
                                                                   Page
Hearing held on March 10, 2021...................................     1
Statement of Senator Cantwell....................................     1
Statement of Senator Wicker......................................     4
    Article dated February 23, 2021 entitled, ``A Commerce 
      nominee's formerly enslaved ancestors ran a taxi service 
      where the department is now headquartered'' by Courtland 
      Milloy, Columnist..........................................    18
Statement of Senator Klobuchar...................................    20
Statement of Senator Thune.......................................    22
Statement of Senator Blumenthal..................................    23
Statement of Senator Cruz........................................    25
Statement of Senator Tester......................................    26
Statement of Senator Blackburn...................................    28
Statement of Senator Rosen.......................................    29
Statement of Senator Lummis......................................    31
Statement of Senator Peters......................................    32
Statement of Senator Scott.......................................    34
Statement of Senator Hickenlooper................................    36

                               Witnesses

Don Graves, Nominee to be Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of 
  Commerce.......................................................     5
    Prepared statement...........................................     6
    Biographical information.....................................     7

                                Appendix

Response to written questions submitted to Don Graves by:
    Hon. Amy Klobuchar...........................................    41
    Hon. Brian Schatz............................................    41
    Hon. Tammy Baldwin...........................................    42
    Hon. Jacky Rosen.............................................    42
    Hon. Kyrsten Sinema..........................................    43
    Hon. Raphael Warnock.........................................    45
    Hon. Roger Wicker............................................    46
    Hon. Ted Cruz................................................    48
    Hon. Jerry Moran.............................................    59
    Hon. Marsha Blackburn........................................    62
    Hon. Mike Lee................................................    63
    Hon. Rick Scott..............................................    66

 
                       NOMINATION OF DON GRAVES,
                    NOMINEE TO BE DEPUTY SECRETARY,
                      U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

                              ----------                              


                       WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 2021

                                       U.S. Senate,
        Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
                                                    Washington, DC.
    The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10 a.m., in room 
SR-253, Russell Senate Office Building, Hon. Maria Cantwell, 
Chair of the Committee, presiding.
    Present: Senators Cantwell [presiding], Klobuchar, 
Blumenthal, Peters, Tester, Hickenlooper, Wicker, Thune, Cruz, 
Scott, and Lummis.

           OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. MARIA CANTWELL, 
                  U.S. SENATOR FROM WASHINGTON

    The Chair. Good morning. The Commerce committee--Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation Committee will come to order. This 
morning, we are reviewing the nomination of the Deputy 
Secretary position for Mr. Don Graves. Welcome to the Committee 
and we look forward to hearing from you this morning and 
hearing your testimony. Before I begin, or before we begin I 
should say, I want to take a moment to acknowledge what is 
really a solemn milestone.
    Today marks the two year anniversary of the Ethiopian 
Airlines Flight 302 crash. And we honor and remember the 157 
victims and their families, along with 189 lives lost on the 
Lion Air Flight 610. These tragedies remind us that there is 
still much at stake in aviation safety policy. In December, 
Congress passed important safety reform legislation, and these 
comprehensive safety reform laws now must be implemented by the 
FAA. It requires the disclosure of new and novel systems and 
requires those systems like MCAS to be fully vetted by the FAA. 
The new law also requires manufacturers to adopt safety 
management systems, create safe reporting structures, and make 
sure that new whistleblower protections are in place.
    So I am grateful to the families for their tireless 
advocacy in this effort and clearly for the great work that our 
committee did in trying to address the crisis. Now, I will 
turn----
    Senator Wicker. Will the Chair yield on that?
    The Chair. Yes.
    Senator Wicker. I thank Senator Cantwell for mentioning 
this and indeed this is one of the most gripping, one of the 
saddest series of events that we have had to deal with. I think 
this committee rose to the occasion, and it was a pleasure to 
collaborate with you, Senator Cantwell, and with other members 
of this committee. I think we ended up with a great product.
    We ended up in our oversight function, finding a lot of 
deficiencies that come with human nature and we have 
legislative legislation in place to address that. And so it is 
appropriate that we pause on this solemn anniversary, but also 
for me to thank you and members on both sides of the dais and 
our terrific staff for coming together with a product that 
should provide much of the answer. So, thank you.
    The Chair. Well, thank you, Senator Wicker. And thank you. 
Thank you for your leadership. And we will look forward to 
continuing to work with you on our oversight role of the FAA. 
But thank you for that statement. We will now turn to the 
nomination of Mr. Graves. So welcome again to the Commerce 
committee. I am excited to have this nominee as Deputy 
Secretary of the Department of Commerce before us today, 
because I am confident he will be a strong partner for the 
Committee, and our efforts, and all of our efforts to help 
support an innovation and growth to our economy.
    Mr. Graves, thank you for your willingness to serve and we 
look forward to hearing your vision. If confirmed, you would 
bring tremendous experience to the role both from public and 
private sector experience. He is focused on supporting local 
communities, developing workforce to compete in the today's 
environment, helping to support good paying jobs, helping 
entrepreneurs, and making sure that we continue to tackle some 
of the many challenges that our Nation faced. He has served as 
Deputy Secretary for the Small Business--Secretary for Small 
Business and Policy Advisor at the Department of Treasury. He 
has served as Director of Public Policy at the Business 
Roundtable where he saw firsthand what makes some of our most 
successful businesses work in the private sector.
    And he has been the Executive Director of President Obama's 
Council on Jobs and Competitiveness, a critical role in the 
economic recovery after the Great Recession. Also has been 
Executive Vice President, head of Corporate Responsibility and 
Community Relations for Key Bank, where he led sustainable 
economic development initiatives, and I would just support--I 
appreciate their efforts. One of the institutions that used the 
EXIM Bank pretty fully and so we appreciate that because that 
is very supportive of an export economy. And he also served as 
President Obama's point person for the Federal Detroit Working 
Group and then on Vice President Biden, Beau Biden Cancer 
Moonshot Initiative.
    Not unlike the other roles you have had, Mr. Graves, this 
is a big job under any circumstances, but right now it seems 
like an immense challenge. Our country is reeling from the 
deadly pandemic. Our economy is still picking up the pieces 
from the economic fallout that has pursued because of that. To 
recover, we must focus on empowering workers throughout the 
country to compete and thrive in a 21st century economy.
    When I talk to people throughout the State of Washington, I 
hear the same message over and over again. Our workers need the 
tools and resources to compete, and our businesses need to have 
the opportunities that trade relationships offer for them. They 
would like to open up markets. They get that 95 percent of 
consumers that live outside the United States and that we have 
crossed the threshold of a population that is middle class, and 
it is a growing economic opportunity for American goods and 
products. So, we want to know how the Department is going to 
use its opportunity there to help with the American economy. It 
plays a key role in export promotion through the International 
Trade Administration's U.S. Commercial Service.
    American jobs depend on trade and growing trade is 
essential. In 2019, our state exported over $60 billion worth 
of goods to countries all over the world. So that is planes and 
cloud services and cherries and apples and wheat and fish, and 
just to mention a few, but our state is a very trade dependent 
state. I actually point out to people that I am pretty sure 
that we were already trading with China before Lewis and Clark 
showed up. So we want to continue that effort. In the previous 
Administration, unilateral approaches cost us 245,000 American 
jobs, and companies at least $1.7 trillion in market 
capitalization. So I hope that the Biden Administration and 
your team, particularly at the Department of Commerce, will set 
a goal to help us grow U.S. exports and make sure we meet that.
    I know the Obama Administration had a goal of increasing 
exports by 50 percent over 5 years. And while they fell short, 
it was you know, they still had a very robust goal. I think 
they had something like a 60 or 65 percent increase of where 
they were--I mean, they got 65 percent of their goal. And so I 
think this is a very good goal and I hope that we will look at 
that. I also hope you prioritize the U.S.-EU Privacy Shield 
Agreement and the free flow of data across borders. My 
colleague, Ranking Member Wicker, has been consistently 
pointing out how critical this Agreement is and to get an 
agreement where we can move forward. I also want to Biden 
Administration to elevate the role of science in 
decisionmaking. Over the last 4 years, we saw science ignored 
and undermined and we can't afford that. Our Pacific Northwest 
fisheries continue to need a science-based fisheries management 
system. And this is so important for sustainable fisheries, for 
the economic impact that they have on our communities.
    In 2018, commercial fishermen caught more than 9.8 billion 
pounds of seafood, and that in turn supported seafood 
processors, shipbuilders, trade, and restaurant jobs total. 
There is more than a million jobs across the United States 
supported by the seafood sector. And I am sure you probably 
know from your previous jobs that there is a lot of 
international issues here, a lot of market access issues here. 
But I believe that our sustainable fisheries policy is the idea 
that we should be exporting, not the--so that people understand 
what sustainable fisheries around the globe really look like 
and what we can do.
    Another area of science will be weather forecasting and 
weather forecasting infrastructure. The United States must be a 
leader in predicting and forecasting weather. Another crucial 
investment is just the fact that that information, on whether 
it makes so many other decisions for shipping, for maritime, 
for agriculture, all depend--aero--actually space, NASA, 
everybody needs this information. So I hope we can count on you 
to help bridge that gap. You will also, as oversight, be given 
additional responsibility to help bridge the digital divide, 
particularly in tribal communities.
    A 2019 report from the FCC said that less than half of 
those households in Indian country have high speed broadband 
service--27 percent gap from non-tribal areas. So we tried to 
enhance that in the December COVID package, and we will look 
forward to working with you on that. And I will have questions 
about the census when we get to our Q&A, because we certainly 
think of that is a priority as well. So now I will turn to my 
colleague, Senator Wicker, for his opening statement.

                STATEMENT OF HON. ROGER WICKER, 
                 U.S. SENATOR FROM MISSISSIPPI

    Senator Wicker. Thank you, Senator Cantwell, for holding 
this hearing today on the nomination of Don Graves to serve as 
Deputy Secretary of Commerce. I want to welcome Mr. Graves to 
his first appearance, but undoubtedly not his last appearance 
before this committee. Mr. Graves has experience in both public 
and private sectors, and so I hope that his prior Government 
service and positions such as Director of Domestic and Economic 
Policy for then Vice President Joe Biden, leadership roles at 
the U.S. Department of the Treasury during the Obama 
Administration, and his past work as Senior Manager for a major 
bank based financial services company will give him a balanced 
view of the proper cooperative relationship between the 
Government and free enterprise.
    It is imperative that we get this balance right as we 
respond to the economic damage caused by the pandemic and work 
together to build a stronger economy for the future. I am very 
interested in hearing from Mr. Graves this morning on his plans 
to assist Secretary Raimondo and President Biden in addressing 
the many and varied challenges which are pending before the 
Department of Commerce. And Senator Cantwell outlined quite a 
number of those very capably. I believe this pressing list of 
policy issues has a broad scope and includes a fair resolution 
of an interest--an issue that is of interest to us in the Gulf 
of Mexico, red snapper catch limits, and expanding NOAA's use 
of un-crewed maritime systems.
    Additionally, through the work of the National 
Telecommunications and Information Administration, NTIA, the 
Commerce Department must remain engaged on Federal spectrum 
management issues while promoting 5G deployment and increasing 
rural broadband access into many of the areas mentioned by the 
Committee Chair. The Department's role in advancing space 
commerce should also continue, and I hope we will not retreat 
from the ambitious schedule set up by the previous 
Administration with regard to putting a woman on the Moon by 
the year 2024 and Americans on the surface of Mars by the year 
2029. We need to continue capturing the imagination of the 
American people on this issue that unites us.
    The Department's role in advancing space commerce should 
also continue, and cybersecurity controls must be strengthened. 
These are just a few of the wide ranging matters on which Mr. 
Graves will have the opportunity to contribute, if and when he 
is confirmed as the Deputy Secretary of Commerce. I am grateful 
for his willingness, again, to take on significant assignments, 
and I appreciate his testimony as the Committee considers his 
nomination. Thank you, ma'am.
    The Chair. Thank you, Senator Wicker. And now we will turn 
to the Nominee. Mr. Graves, again, welcome to the Committee and 
we look forward to your testimony.

 STATEMENT OF DON GRAVES, NOMINEE TO BE DEPUTY SECRETARY, U.S. 
                     DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

    Mr. Graves. Chair Cantwell, Ranking Member Wicker, and 
members of the Committee, I am honored and humbled to be here 
today. I want to begin by thanking President Biden for his 
faith and confidence in nominating me for the position of 
Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce. I also 
want to thank my family for their support, without which my 
career and this nomination would not have been possible. My 
career in Government, the private sector, and nonprofits has 
been dedicated to ensuring that economic opportunity is 
inclusive and broad based, supporting working families and 
strengthening the communities in which they live.
    From my work in community development to my time of the 
President's Jobs Council and the Cancer Moonshot Initiative, my 
experiences took me to small towns in the Mississippi Delta, to 
the urban core in Milwaukee, from the colonias in Texas to 
tribal communities in the Dakotas. I have heard from 
manufacturing workers who lost their jobs, parents struggling 
to educate their kids during the pandemic because they lack 
broadband access, and scientists tackling the pernicious impact 
of cancer, something far too many American households, 
including my own, have had to deal with. For each of us who 
commit to public service, this is personal. I come from a long 
line of entrepreneurs and educators who worked hard to carve 
out a small piece of the American dream for their family and 
their community.
    My personal and family history is tied closely to the 
Department of Commerce. It includes my four times grandparents 
who were former slaves but were able to build a successful 
horse and buggy taxi business here in Washington. The property 
they acquired for that business and their home is today the 
site of the Commerce Department headquarters. Their son owned 
and operated the Nation's premier hotel during the 1800s mere 
blocks away. This first generation descendant of slaves went on 
to design a life preserver for use on boats and ships that 
plied our Nation's waterways, becoming one of the Nation's 
first patent holders of color through the U.S. Patent and 
Trademark Office.
    I grew up between Cleveland, Ohio, on the banks of one of 
the world's greatest sources of fresh water and the Maryland 
shore, where I enjoyed fishing and crabbing. I spent countless 
weekends with my grandmother in her farming community running 
through the hills and woods in rural Ohio, where a special day 
could include a trip to the Five and Dime or the weekly 
quilting bee at the local church. I witnessed firsthand one of 
the world's greatest environmental success stories, that of the 
Cuyahoga River, which went from being known as the river that 
burned to a travel destination and the site of the Nation's 
best urban kayaking, a result of extensive local, state, and 
Federal partnerships that leveraged data and science to drive 
decisionmaking and tourism investments.
    Growing up and working in these different places, I have 
met Americans from all walks of life and geographies, people 
pursuing dreams for themselves and their families. While they 
are important differences between them, including the 
challenges of systemic inequities, Americans by and large want 
the same thing. As President Biden said, we all just want a 
fair shot. But for far too many people, the promise of the 
American dream to start and grow a business, to develop an idea 
into a product that can be sold all over the world, to work 
hard at a job that fulfills us and allows us to raise a family 
in relative comfort and stability remains elusive. Too many 
Americans begin their journey without the tools or support 
necessary to get past the hoping and dreaming stage. I believe 
that it is our duty to help provide the opportunity to turn 
these dreams into lives of dignity.
    We know that Federal, tribal, state, territorial, and local 
Governments, their resources, data, and research and their most 
important assets, the experienced and capable civil servants 
who devote their lives to serving our nation, are critical to 
ensuring the American people and our economy can reach their 
full potential. It is also our duty to ensure a level playing 
field for American workers and businesses as we compete around 
the world, that we invest in strong international partnerships 
to bolster our domestic economic growth.
    And if confirmed, I will focus on recovering from the 
economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, protecting our 
critical infrastructure and our National Security, and taking 
strong actions to ensure bad actors are held accountable for 
illegal and anti-competitive actions that hurt American 
companies and the American people.
    If confirmed, I will put people and communities first, data 
and science will always drive my decisionmaking, and I will 
rely on the deep expertise of the Department's and its bureaus 
career staff. Thank you for the opportunity to testify today 
and I look forward to your questions.
    [The prepared statement and biographical information of Mr. 
Graves follow:]

   Prepared Statement of Don Graves, Nominee to be Deputy Secretary, 
                      U.S. Department of Commerce
    Chair Cantwell, Ranking Member Wicker, and Members of the 
Committee, I am honored and humbled to be here today.
    I want to begin by thanking President Biden for his faith and 
confidence in nominating me for the position of Deputy Secretary of the 
U.S. Department of Commerce. I also want to thank my family for their 
support, without which my career and this nomination would not have 
been possible.
    My career, in government, the private sector, and nonprofits, has 
been dedicated to ensuring that economic opportunity is inclusive and 
broad-based, supporting working families and strengthening the 
communities in which they live. From my work in community development, 
to my time running the President's Jobs Council and the Cancer Moonshot 
initiative, my experiences took me to small towns in the Mississippi 
Delta, to the urban core in Milwaukee; from the colonias in Texas, to 
tribal communities in the Dakotas.
    I have heard from manufacturing workers who have lost their jobs, 
parents struggling to educate their kids during the pandemic because 
they lack broadband access, and scientists tackling the pernicious 
impact of cancer, something far too many American households, including 
my own, have reckoned with.
    For each of us who commit to public service, this is personal. I 
come from a long line of entrepreneurs and educators who worked hard to 
carve out a small piece of the American dream for their family and 
their community.
    My personal and family history is tied closely to the Department of 
Commerce. It includes my four-times great grandparents who were former 
slaves but were able to build a successful horse and buggy taxi 
business here in Washington. The property they acquired for that 
business and their home, is today the site of the Commerce Department 
headquarters. Their son owned and operated the Nation's premier hotel 
during the 1800s, mere blocks away. This first generation descendent of 
slaves went on to design a life-preserver for use on boats and ships 
that plied our Nation's waterways, becoming one of the Nation's first 
patent-holders of color through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
    I grew up between Cleveland, Ohio, on the banks of one of the 
world's greatest sources of freshwater, and the Maryland shore, where I 
enjoyed fishing and crabbing. I spent countless weekends with my 
grandmother in her farming community, running through the hills and 
woods in rural Ohio, where a special day could include a trip to the 
five and dime or the weekly quilting bee at the local church.
    I witnessed firsthand one of the world's greatest environmental 
success stories: that of the Cuyahoga River, which went from being 
known as the river that burned to a travel destination and the site of 
the Nation's best urban kayaking; a result of extensive local, state 
and Federal partnerships that leveraged data and science to drive 
decision making and tourism investments.
    Growing up and working in these different places, I've met 
Americans from all walks of life and geographies, pursuing dreams for 
themselves and their families. While there are important differences 
between them, including the challenges of systemic inequities, 
Americans by-and-large want the same thing. As President Biden has 
said, we all just want a fair shot.
    But for far too many people, the promise of the American dream: to 
start and grow a business; to develop an idea into a product that can 
be sold all over the world; to work hard at a job that fulfills us and 
allows us to raise a family in relative comfort and stability, remains 
elusive. Too many Americans begin their journey without the tools or 
support necessary to get past the hoping and dreaming stage.
    It is our duty to help provide the opportunity to turn those dreams 
into lives of dignity. We know that federal, tribal, state, territorial 
and local governments--their resources, data and research, and their 
most important assets, the experienced and capable civil servants who 
devote their lives to serving our nation--are critical to ensuring the 
American people and our economy can reach their full potential.
    It is also our duty to ensure a level playing field for American 
workers and businesses as we compete around the world, that we invest 
in strong international partnerships to bolster our domestic economic 
growth. If confirmed, I will focus on recovering from the economic 
crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, protecting our critical 
infrastructure and our national security, and taking strong actions to 
ensure bad actors are held accountable for illegal and anti-competitive 
actions that hurt American companies and the American people.
    If confirmed, I will put people and communities first. Data and 
science will always drive my decision making and I will rely on the 
deep expertise of the Department's career staff.
    Thank you for the opportunity to testify today. I look forward to 
your questions.
                                 ______
                                 
                      a. biographical information
    1. Name (Include any former names or nicknames used):

        Donet D. Graves, Jr.
        Don (nickname)

    2. Position to which nominated: Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department 
of Commerce.
    3. Date of Nomination: January 20, 2021.
    4. Address (List current place of residence and office addresses):

        Residence: Information not released to the public.
        Office: Information not provided.


    5. Date and Place of Birth: April 11, 1970; Garfield Heights, OH.
    6. Provide the name, position, and place of employment for your 
spouse (if married) and the names and ages of your children (including 
stepchildren and children by a previous marriage).

        Melissa Tessmer Graves, Chief Executive Officer, Journey Center 
        for Safety and Healing (formerly known as Domestic Violence and 
        Child Advocacy Center)

    7. List all college and graduate degrees. Provide year and school 
attended.

        Williams College, BA (Political Science, History), 1992
        Georgetown University Law Center, JD, 1995

    8. List all post-undergraduate employment, and highlight all 
management-level jobs held and any non-managerial jobs that relate to 
the position for which you are nominated.

        KeyBank, N.A., Executive Vice President & Head of Corporate 
        Responsibility and Community Relations. (2018-2020)--management 
        level

        KeyBank, N.A., Senior Vice President & Senior Director, 
        Corporate Community Initiatives and Relations. (2017-2018)--
        management level

        The White House, Deputy Assistant to the President & Counselor 
        to the Vice President. (2014-2017)--management level

        Executive Director, Federal Detroit Working Group, (2013-
        2014)--management level

        Executive Director, President's Council on Jobs and 
        Competitiveness, (2011-2014)--management level

        U.S. Department of the Treasury, Deputy Assistant Secretary for 
        Small Business, Community Development and Housing Policy, 
        (2010-2014)--management level

        Graves, Horton, Askew & Johns, LLC Member, (2009-2010)--
        management level

        Graves & Horton, LLC, Attorneys at Law, Partner (2005-2009)

        Business Roundtable, Director of Public Policy (2003-2005)

        Director of Strategic Partnerships, (2000-03)--management level

        United States Department of the Treasury, Policy Advisor, 1999-
        2000--advised on policy positions relevant to the Commerce 
        Department

        Graves & Horton, LLC, Associate, (1995-1998)

        Organization for a New Equality (1995-1998), Director, 
        Washington Office

    9. Attach a copy of your resume. Attached as Appendix A.
    10. List any advisory, consultative, honorary, or other part-time 
service or positions with Federal, State, or local governments, other 
than those listed above, within the last ten years.

        FDIC, Advisory Committee on Economic Inclusion (10/2019-9/2020)

    11. List all positions held as an officer, director, trustee, 
partner, proprietor, agent, representative, or consultant of any 
corporation, company, firm, partnership, or other business, enterprise, 
educational, or other institution within the last ten years.

        MetroHealth Foundation, Inc., Board of Directors (9/2017 to 
        present)

        Community Reinvestment Fund, USA, Board of Trustees (10/2017-9/
        2020)

        JumpStart, Inc., Vice Chairman, Board of Directors (3/2019-9/
        2020)

    12. Please list each membership you have had during the past ten 
years or currently hold with any civic, social, charitable, 
educational, political, professional, fraternal, benevolent or 
religiously affiliated organization, private club, or other membership 
organization. (For this question, you do not have to list your 
religious affiliation or membership in a religious house of worship or 
institution.). Include dates of membership and any positions you have 
held with any organization. Please note whether any such club or 
organization restricts membership on the basis of sex, race, color, 
religion, national origin, age, or disability.

        Bass Center for Placemaking, Brookings Institution, Advisory 
        Board Member (11/2018-9/2020)

        Commission on Economic Inclusion, Greater Cleveland 
        Partnership, Advisory Board Member (5/2018-9/2020)

        Cuyahoga Community College, Board of Visitors (9/2019-9/2020)

        Cleveland Rising, Co-Chair (6/2019-9/2020)

        Sigma Pi Phi, Tau Boule, member (7/2019 to present)

        Leadership Cleveland, Class of 2019 (Cleveland, OH)

    13. Have you ever been a candidate for and/or held a public office 
(elected, non-elected, or appointed)? If so, indicate whether any 
campaign has any outstanding debt, the amount, and whether you are 
personally liable for that debt.
    No.
    14. List all memberships and offices held with and services 
rendered to, whether compensated or not, any political party or 
election committee within the past ten years. If you have held a paid 
position or served in a formal or official advisory position (whether 
compensated or not) in a political campaign within the past ten years, 
identify the particulars of the campaign, including the candidate, year 
of the campaign, and your title and responsibilities.
    Democratic National Committee, 2020 Platform Drafting Committee 
Member.
    15. Itemize all political contributions to any individual, campaign 
organization, political party, political action committee, or similar 
entity of $500 or more for the past ten years.

        Peters for Michigan, 10/28/19, $2000

        KeyCorp Advocates Fund, biweekly until 9/18/20 ($115.38), 
        totaling $4961.34

        Biden for President, multiple commitments, totaling $1358.82

        Ken Harbaugh for Congress, 6/30/18, $1000

    16. List all scholarships, fellowships, honorary degrees, honorary 
society memberships, military medals, and any other special recognition 
for outstanding service or achievements. None.
    17. Please list each book, article, column, Internet blog posting, 
or other publication you have authored, individually or with others. 
Include a link to each publication when possible. Also list any 
speeches that you have given on topics relevant to the position for 
which you have been nominated. Do not attach copies of these 
publications unless otherwise instructed.
Publications
        ``Dealing all of our communities into the bargain'', Biden 
        Forum, Biden Foundation, August 8, 2018. (https://
        bidenforum.org/dealing-all-of-our-communities-into-the-bargain-
        199d30cc4906)

        ``Fostering Innovation Across America,'' March 2011. (https://
        www.treasury.gov
        /connect/blog/Pages/Fostering-Innovation-Across-America.aspx)
Speeches/Interviews
    During my tenure as an appointed Federal official and while in 
private life, I have delivered informal remarks in a variety of forums 
on job creation, economic growth, and other topics related to the work 
of the Deputy Secretary of Commerce. Below is a list of speeches and 
addresses which I have been able to identify from my records and 
electronic searches.

        CAMEO Summit on Microenterprise, May 2, 2011
        Vermont Business and Industry EXPO, Leahy Business Breakfast, 
        May 25, 2011.

        POLITICO's Jobs of the Future Event, Washington, DC, July 26, 
        2011 (available at https://www.politico.com/video/2011/07/don-
        graves-at-politicos-jobs-of-the-future-event-
        013619?o=48&filterVideo=)

        HOPE Global Summit: The Future of Global Jobs, December 11, 
        2012 (available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-JqT_kGfNo)

        Association for Enterprise Opportunity, One in Three Campaign 
        Keynote, May 29, 2012

        Annual Meeting, Women Impacting Public Policy, July 18, 2012.

        Discussion on Microenterprise, Aspen Institute, November 25, 
        2013.

        Rainbow Push Wall Street Plenary, February 13, 2014.

        AI3 in DC: Developing a Policy Framework for Impact Investing, 
        Aspen Institute, February 27, 2014 (speech available at https:/
        /www.aspeninstitute.org/videos/ai3-dc-developing-policy-
        framework-impact-investing/)

        Inclusiv 40th Anniversary Conference, May 14, 2014.

        Detroit Public Television, Interview, June 3, 2014
        (available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiUtnR1j8Js)

        Remarks to the Levine Cancer Institute, Charlotte, NC, November 
        30, 2016 (available at https://www.facebook.com/
        LevineCancerInstitute/videos/mr-don-graves-better-known-as-the-
        cancer-czar-counselor-to-the-white-house-came-/11773
        10942360459/)

        PBS/Frontline, Interview for ``The Choice 2020,'' July 27, 
        2020, available at https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/
        interview/don-graves/

        Announcement of Nomination for Deputy Secretary, U.S. 
        Department of Commerce, Wilmington, DE (speech available at 
        https://www.youtube.com/watch
        ?v=Gi46WiN3M 8)

    18. List digital platforms (including social media and other 
digital content sites) on which you currently or have formerly operated 
an account, regardless of whether or not the account was held in your 
name or an alias. Include the name of an ``alias'' or ``handle'' you 
have used on each of the named platforms. Indicate whether the account 
is active, deleted, or dormant. Include a link to each account if 
possible.
    All of the following accounts are active.

        LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/don-graves-8668887

        Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/don.graves.3158

        Instagram: https://instagram.com/dgravesjr

        Twitter: https://twitter.com/dgravesjr

    19. Please identify each instance in which you have testified 
orally or in writing before Congress in a governmental or non-
governmental capacity and specify the date and subject matter of each 
testimony.

        Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, 
        Hearing on Small Business Jobs Act, May 19, 2011.

        House Committee on Financial Services, Hearing on Diversity in 
        the Financial Services Sector, February 7, 2008.

    20. Given the current mission, major programs, and major 
operational objectives of the department/agency to which you have been 
nominated, what in your background or employment experience do you 
believe affirmatively qualifies you for appointment to the position for 
which you have been nominated, and why do you wish to serve in that 
position?
    I have spent the bulk of my career, inside and outside the Federal 
government, focused on ways to support economic growth and development 
for all of our communities--urban, rural, tribal and everything in 
between--and supporting American workers and entrepreneurs. During that 
time, I have prided myself on my ability to achieve results and deliver 
for people, businesses and communities. I led the President's Council 
on Jobs and Competitiveness during the Obama administration, bringing 
together the business community, labor and academia to identify 
strategies and policies that could drive national competitiveness.
    21. What do you believe are your responsibilities, if confirmed, to 
ensure that the department/agency has proper management and accounting 
controls, and what experience do you have in managing a large 
organization?
    An organization the size and scale of the Commerce Department 
requires ongoing monitoring and assessment. Ensuring strong oversight 
and accounting is essential to the functioning of the Department and 
something for which I have experience through my career. At the U.S. 
Department of the Treasury, I was tasked with overseeing the creation 
and stand up of new multiple billion dollar programs as well as 
oversight of the Community Development Financial Institution Fund for 
which I developed strong controls to ensure responsible management of 
taxpayers' dollars. These programs were reviewed by both the Treasury 
Inspector General and outside, independent auditors who found the 
programs to have been managed appropriately and effectively. I was also 
President Obama's lead for the recovery of the City of Detroit, 
including coordinating the work of a large Federal interagency effort 
and more than $300M in investments in a variety of agencies in the 
city. Additionally, I led the development of the Cancer Moonshot on 
behalf of then-Vice President Biden, coordinating efforts across 
agencies, laboratories, research facilities and private companies aimed 
at significantly advancing progress on cures for cancers.
    22. What do you believe to be the top three challenges facing the 
department/agency, and why?
    First, the combined crises of the ongoing global pandemic and its 
impact on the department's ability to carry out its mission at the same 
time as an economic crisis affecting communities, families and 
businesses across the country is the top challenge facing the 
Department.
    Second, we must also recommit ourselves to ensuring science is at 
the core of Department of Commerce's actions and policies, without 
regard for politics.
    Finally, protecting our national security and American access to 
global markets in a time of growing global competitiveness will be a 
key challenge facing the Department.
                   b. potential conflicts of interest
    1. Describe all financial arrangements, deferred compensation 
agreements, and other continuing dealings with business associates, 
clients, or customers. Please include information related to retirement 
accounts.
    In September 2020, I resigned from my position with KeyBank, N.A. 
which is the primary subsidiary of KeyCorp. I currently hold restricted 
stock. I do not own stock, unvested restricted stock units, unvested 
restricted stock or stock options in KeyCorp. (KEY). As soon as 
practicable but not later than 120 days after confirmation, I will 
divest my unrestricted stock. I will forfeit any stock in KEY that 
remains restricted 120 days after my confirmation. I will not 
participate personally and substantially in any particular matter that 
to my knowledge has a direct and predictable effect on the financial 
interests of KEY, until I have divested it, unless I first obtain a 
written waiver, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Sec. 208(b)(1), or qualify for a 
regulatory exemption, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Sec. 208(b)(2). In 
addition, pursuant to the impartiality regulation at 5 C.F.R. 
Sec. 2635.502, for a period of one year after my resignation from KEY, 
I will not participate personally and substantially in any particular 
matter involving specific parties in which I know KEY is a party or 
represents a party, unless I am first authorized to participate, 
pursuant to 5 C.F.R. Sec. 2635.502(d).
    2. Do you have any commitments or agreements, formal or informal, 
to maintain employment, affiliation, or practice with any business, 
association or other organization during your appointment? If so, 
please explain.
    No.
    3. Indicate any investments, obligations, liabilities, or other 
relationships which could involve potential conflicts of interest in 
the position to which you have been nominated. Explain how you will 
resolve each potential conflict of interest.
    In connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with 
Department of Commerce ethics officials and the Office of Government 
Ethics to identify any potential conflict of interest. Any potential 
conflict of interest will be resolved according to the terms of the 
ethics agreement that I have entered into with the Commerce 
Department's Designated Agency Ethics Official, I understand will be 
provided to this Committee. I am not aware of any potential conflict of 
interest other than those identified in my ethics agreement. In the 
event that an actual or potential conflict of interest arises during my 
appointment, I will consult with the Commerce Department's ethics 
officials and take the actions necessary to resolve the conflict.
    4. Describe any business relationship, dealing, or financial 
transaction which you have had during the last ten years, whether for 
yourself, on behalf of a client, or acting as an agent, that could in 
any way constitute or result in a possible conflict of interest in the 
position to which you have been nominated. Explain how you will resolve 
each potential conflict of interest.
    Any potential conflicts of interest have been identified in my 
ethics agreement, which will be provided to the Committee, and will be 
resolved in accordance with the terms of that ethics agreement.
    5. Identify any other potential conflicts of interest, and explain 
how you will resolve each potential conflict of interest.
    I am not aware of any other potential conflicts of interest that 
may arise other than those identified in my ethics agreement. However, 
should a conflict arise during my appointment, I will consult with the 
Commerce Department's ethics officials and take the actions necessary 
to resolve the conflict.
    6. Describe any activity during the past ten years, including the 
names of clients represented, in which you have been engaged for the 
purpose of directly or indirectly influencing the passage, defeat, or 
modification of any legislation or affecting the administration and 
execution of law or public policy.
    On April 8, 2020, I provided comments (on behalf of my employer, 
KeyBank) on a proposed rulemaking from the Office of the Comptroller of 
the Currency regarding revisions to the Community Reinvestment Act of 
1977.
    A copy of those comments are available at https://www.fdic.gov/
regulations/laws/federal/2020/2020-community-reinvestment-act-
regulations-3064-af22-c-715
.pdf
                            c. legal matters
    1. Have you ever been disciplined or cited for a breach of ethics, 
professional misconduct, or retaliation by, or been the subject of a 
complaint to, any court, administrative agency, the Office of Special 
Counsel, professional association, disciplinary committee, or other 
professional group? If yes:

  a.  Provide the name of agency, association, committee, or group;

  b.  Provide the date the citation, disciplinary action, complaint, or 
        personnel action was issued or initiated;

  c.  Describe the citation, disciplinary action, complaint, or 
        personnel action;

  d.  Provide the results of the citation, disciplinary action, 
        complaint, or personnel action.
    No.
    2. Have you ever been investigated, arrested, charged, or held by 
any Federal, State, or other law enforcement authority of any Federal, 
State, county, or municipal entity, other than for a minor traffic 
offense? If so, please explain. No.
    3. Have you or any business or nonprofit of which you are or were 
an officer ever been involved as a party in an administrative agency 
proceeding, criminal proceeding, or civil litigation? If so, please 
explain. No.
    4. Have you ever been convicted (including pleas of guilty or nolo 
contendere) of any criminal violation other than a minor traffic 
offense? If so, please explain. No.
    5. Have you ever been accused, formally or informally, of sexual 
harassment or discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion, or 
any other basis? If so, please explain. No.
    6. Please advise the Committee of any additional information, 
favorable or unfavorable, which you feel should be disclosed in 
connection with your nomination. None.
                     d. relationship with committee
    1. Will you ensure that your department/agency complies with 
deadlines for information set by congressional committees, and that 
your department/agency endeavors to timely comply with requests for 
information from individual Members of Congress, including requests 
from members in the minority? Yes.
    2. Will you ensure that your department/agency does whatever it can 
to protect congressional witnesses and whistle blowers from reprisal 
for their testimony and disclosures? Yes.
    3. Will you cooperate in providing the Committee with requested 
witnesses, including technical experts and career employees, with 
firsthand knowledge of matters of interest to the Committee? Yes.
    4. Are you willing to appear and testify before any duly 
constituted committee of the Congress on such occasions as you may be 
reasonably requested to do so? Yes.
                                 ______
                                 
                               Appendix A

[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]


    The Chair. Thank you, Mr. Graves. Thank you for your 
testimony. And again, thank you for your past service. Let me 
just start, I mentioned the Census. While it is important that 
we have accurate data, the Federal delay that I think now is 
being set to several months will cause many states to--it makes 
challenges for them as they try to meet their constitutional 
duties on redistricting.
    So some are already struggling with how to get meaningful 
public input with a truncated timeline. So if confirmed, will 
you work to address these State issues and address the accuracy 
and timeliness of the census?
    Mr. Graves. Thank you, Madam Chair. I absolutely will work 
on that issue. I will also listen to the experts, the career 
experts at the Department and not allow politics to impact the 
accuracy and timeliness of the of the census.
    The Chair. Thank you. There are several pending fishery 
disaster determinations for my state, such as Washington, Puget 
Sound Coho Salmon Fishery. They have been pending for years. 
Senator Wicker and I are planning to reintroduce our bipartisan 
bill, which is about reform of the fisheries disaster process, 
including deadlines to ensure that fishery disasters are 
elevated and declared in a reasonable timeframe.
    Let me be blunt, our fishermen are tired of waiting. 
Dealing with NOAA on these fisheries has taken literally years 
to receive, you know, the disaster determination, let alone the 
funding. So we need a solution, and we need reform. How will 
you help turn the tide on what seems like an endless cycle of 
fishery disaster timing?
    Mr. Graves. Thank you, Madam Chair. You and I have talked 
about this in the past, and I appreciate how critical it is for 
the fisheries around the country and especially for the fishing 
industry. Sustainably managed fisheries are critical to our 
economy, to our culture, to the fishing industry.
    I will absolutely work with the career staff at NOAA to 
make certain that we get these disaster dollars out the door 
and supporting those communities that have been most critically 
impacted by the pandemic and by the challenge to our fisheries.
    The Chair. Well, I look forward to working with you and the 
Secretary in your roles also on salmon recovery and to boost 
the impacts of salmon caused by, you know, challenges of 
infrastructure investment and the fact that we need 
infrastructure for them as well. So but let me turn to a couple 
of other things. You know, I mentioned our export economy and 
how important it is to the State of Washington. Obviously, the 
Department plays a critical key role.
    You have people all over the world really as U.S. 
Commercial Service Officers and you are on the front line. But 
I think today's anniversary reminds me how much we need 
Commerce to play a role in the advocacy for safety, and 
standards, and open markets. Aviation, as we get out of this 
pandemic, is going to be a very competitive marketplace and the 
United States has to help us in the implementation of this 
legislation, advocate for the safety standards around the 
globe, and for open markets to make sure that people understand 
that we want competition.
    It has to be an open and fair competition. And so you can 
comment on that but let me just throw one I think, because it 
is going to take both of these as a question. Yesterday, I 
think the airlines presented to the White House an idea of some 
sort of vaccination card. Now, as somebody who's traveled 
abroad at times and been asked for my yellow fever vaccination 
card, it has played a key role to tourism and certain nations 
around the globe.
    So should we be considering, we have more than 92 million 
vaccinations, which has been about 18 percent of the U.S., and 
I know that we are going to continue to be as rampant as we can 
in getting the vaccines into people's arms.
    So, but obviously getting tourism open to other countries 
at some moment is going to be a pretty key issue. So what do 
you think of this? What do you think the Department of Commerce 
should be doing to look at this issue and to further evaluate 
it?
    Mr. Graves. Thank you, Madam Chair. I agree that tourism is 
absolutely critical for our economic growth and our recovery. I 
believe strongly that we should do all that we can to help 
ensure that these industries know that the airline workers, the 
pilots, the flight attendants and all the rest of the airline 
workers rely on us making sure that these standards are applied 
across the globe.
    And I would certainly, if confirmed, work with the White 
House, the CDC, the Department of Health and Human Services, to 
ensure that we can get the tourism back on track, get our 
travel going, and make certain that they have every precaution 
that they need, but make certain that travel is open and that 
the United States is open for business.
    The Chair. Well, I hope that you will look at this. And I 
hope that our subcommittee, Senator Rosen and Senator Scott, 
will look at both the legislation that Senator Scott and I 
introduced on helping our airport infrastructure have 
temperature check architecture. That is pretty standard around 
the globe. And also have a hearing on this issue of some sort 
of information that helps us stabilize, at the right point, 
access to travel markets around the globe. Thank you. Ranking 
Member Wicker.
    Senator Wicker. Thank you very much, Madam Chair. The Chair 
mentioned the decision should be science-based, and that 
includes, I think, data concerning fishing data that is 
important not only to the commercial fishing industry, but also 
to the sport fishing industry. I introduced, and we passed in 
the last Congress, the bipartisan Modern Fish Act, which is 
still in the process of being implemented. The theory--the 
truth behind this legislation is that commercial fishing and 
sport fishing can, in fact, do a better job of coexisting.
    In the Gulf of Mexico, states like Mississippi have 
invested significant time and money to develop a more accurate 
understanding of how much recreational fishermen harvest. 
Despite this effort, NOAA is rejecting the high quality State 
data. And instead, the agency is prioritizing the less accurate 
Federal data from the Marine Recreational Information Program. 
Now, we have a program in Mississippi called ``Tails and 
Scales,'' and it is known to be the strongest survey of red 
snapper fish in the country.
    The fact that it is done by a State Government rather than 
by the Federal Government does not diminish the fact that it is 
highly accurate and better than the data we have been going by. 
I am concerned that the Federal Government's response to this 
could unfairly decrease Mississippi share of the red snapper 
fishery by some 60 percent this year. This is particularly 
frustrating in light of the recent great snapper count, which 
suggests that the actual abundance of red snapper in the Gulf 
is three times higher than that which NOAA has estimated.
    So, will you work with me to ensure Mississippi's not 
unfairly punished for collecting high quality fishery data, and 
will you commit to ensuring NOAA uses the data from the great 
red snapper account to update catch limits as soon as possible?
    Mr. Graves. Thank you, Senator, very much. And I appreciate 
the conversation that we had a few weeks ago about this very 
issue. You raised the importance of this issue to both the 
commercial and recreational industries in your state. I 
believe, as I have said, that sustainable, managed fisheries is 
really important. And to your point, data is critical in doing 
that. And certainly there's the balance of the conservation and 
the jobs in the fishing industry.
    But these fishermen provide food to the American families 
and we need to make sure that we do have the best data, so 
absolutely, I would be very interested in working with you on 
this and making certain that the talented staff at NOAA have 
the very best data as they are making these decisions.
    Senator Wicker. Sport fishing and commercial fishing are 
huge job creators in this country. And I--it has been great to 
have had the Chairmanship for the last two years, but have been 
on this committee for some time now, to have a chance to go to 
these boat shows. One of the largest boat shows in the world is 
in Miami. It is so big, it takes 3 days. It is far larger than 
the economic impact of having a Super Bowl. This is huge money 
for small businesses, for manufacturers, for everyone in the 
sport fishing industry, and it doesn't take a thing away from 
the commercial fishing industry, which is also very, very 
important.
    Again, I would say get the facts right, get the data right. 
Look at the methodology that we have come up with the great 
snapper count and Tails and Scales in Mississippi. And I 
challenge anyone to tell me that the old method of collecting 
data done by the Federal Government is better. In regard to our 
commercial fishing friends, let me say that I am pleased that 
we have had some success in getting assistance to the 
restaurant business. As Senator Sinema and I introduced the 
Restaurants Act, and we got--we got an amendment, the first 
amendment added to the budget, the reconciliation portion of 
the budget in our first voterama.
    And it may very well be signed by--the legislation part may 
very well be signed by the President today or tomorrow. So we 
finally have some restaurant relief. Most of the fish caught by 
commercial fishermen in the United States is eaten at 
restaurants. And they have been severely, severely impacted by 
this COVID pandemic. What do you expect to be the lasting 
impacts of the pandemic on the U.S. seafood industry, including 
our fine commercial fishermen? What will it take for the 
industry to recover?
    Mr. Graves. Well, thank you very much, Senator, for that 
question. As you know, small businesses have been at the heart 
of my career, the core of everything I have done. And I know 
exactly the type of impact that the pandemic has been having on 
our restaurants and our fishing industry. I think that we can 
certainly use the Economic Development Administration to make 
it easier to grow back these industries.
    I know that many of these restaurants have closed, but 
people still have the desire to be in that industry, they have 
the expertise, and people want to go out and get to a 
restaurant again as we get the pandemic under control. So it is 
my hope that we can get the economy back going where it needs 
to be, use the resources in the Relief Act, as well as the 
existing resources through the Economic Development 
Administration at NOAA--I mean, excuse me, at Commerce and the 
support of NOAA to make sure that the fishing industry has 
everything that it needs to be able to get fish to the tables 
or to the kitchens and the restaurants, and the restaurants, 
what they need to serve the customers throughout this country.
    Senator Wicker. Thank you very much. Madam Chair, point of 
personal privilege. Our distinguished nominee mentioned his 
family history here in Washington, D.C., including the spot of 
land that they previously owned and where they started their 
business. I would ask unanimous consent to insert into the 
record in light of Mr. Graves testimony, a column written by 
Courtland Milloy, dated February 23, 2021 expanding on this 
very interesting and inspiring story.
    The Chair. Without objection.
    [The information referred to follows:]

  A Commerce nominee's formerly enslaved ancestors ran a taxi service 
               where the department is now headquartered

                     By Courtland Milloy, Columnist

                     Feb. 23, 2021 at 7:01 p.m. EST

    In 1821, Lynch and Polly Wormley started a horse-and-buggy taxi 
service in the District. They'd come from Albemarle, Va., after being 
freed from enslavement by their plantation owners. Their business 
included a stable, with living quarters attached, located on muddy 
flatlands now occupied by the Commerce Department.
    The business thrived in the growing nation's capital. Being close 
to the White House, the clientele included the Nation's political 
elite, military leaders and foreign dignitaries. The Wormley children, 
who also worked in the livery, would develop friendships that helped to 
foster even more business success.
    Today, the Wormley horse-and-buggy business is long gone. But the 
family saga continues with a sweet symmetry: President Biden has 
nominated Don Graves Jr., who is Lynch and Polly Wormley's four-time 
great-grandson, to be deputy secretary of commerce.
    If confirmed, Graves, 50, will report to work at the same location 
where the family seeds of commerce were first planted 200 years ago.
    ``It's obviously very exciting,'' Graves told me.
    Before traveling to Wilmington, Del., where Biden made the 
announcement, Graves drove through downtown Washington to savor some of 
that family history. At 15th and H streets NW, there had been a hotel, 
the Wormley, built in 1871 by his three-times great-grandfather James 
Wormley. The hotelier also had built a horse racetrack in D.C.'s 
Tenleytown.
    There was the Treasury Department, where Wormleys had been hired to 
help clean after construction was completed in 1869. And, of course, 
there was the Commerce Department at 1401 Constitution Avenue NW. The 
place where a formerly enslaved Black couple had laid the groundwork 
for the success he enjoys today could be the site of a homecoming of 
sorts.
    ``I was reminded that everybody has hopes and dreams,'' Graves 
said.
    The appointment would make him No. 2 in charge of a department with 
more than 46,600 employees, an estimated $9.6 billion annual budget, 
and a mission to help rebuild the Nation's pandemic-stricken economy. 
Make it more inclusive. Or, as Biden puts it, ``Build back better.''
    Biden has already proposed doubling the $333 million budget for the 
Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration, which would 
help establish new manufacturing and information technology in 
disadvantaged communities. ``Hopefully, I will be in a position to make 
sure people from all communities are dealt into the bargain,'' Graves 
said.
    Graves is a Georgetown Law graduate and served as executive 
director of the President's Council on Jobs and Competitiveness during 
the Obama administration. He led the Federal effort to revitalize 
Detroit when the city went bankrupt in 2013. He's been an economic 
adviser to Biden since 2014, and also led the then-vice president's 
cancer research initiative.
    In those jobs, he gained experience and wisdom. For insight and 
inspiration, Graves says, he draws on the lessons of his family 
history.
    Lynch and Polly Wormley received support from some unlikely 
sources. In those days, just to get a hack license in the District, a 
Black man needed a White man to declare he was not a runaway enslaved 
person. Lynch Wormley had been vouched for by Francis Scott Key. The 
two had met at a plantation in Virginia.
    Key had penned ``The Star Spangled Banner'' in 1814, which happened 
to be the same year Lynch and Polly came to D.C.
    Their eldest son, James Wormley, would become close friends with 
abolitionists Charles Sumner and Frederick Douglass. Together, they 
would fight for better schools in the District, the right to vote, fair 
labor practices and an end to ``Black Codes'' that sought to enforce 
Black subservience to Whites.
    For relief from the stresses of their civil rights efforts, Wormley 
and Douglass helped establish a summer resort for the Black elite at 
Highland Beach on the Chesapeake Bay. Graves would spend many a summer 
vacation there.
    After the Civil War, James Wormley capitalized on civil rights laws 
enacted during Reconstruction to open his hotel. For a brief period, 
Black Americans could vote, seek public office, acquire the land of 
former enslavers, seek their own employment and use public 
accommodations.
    Then, in 1876, Democratic and Republican representatives began 
meeting at the Wormley hotel to negotiate an end to the disputed 
Tilden-Hayes presidential election. The deal they struck, known as the 
``Wormley Compromise,'' called for an end to Reconstruction.
    After James Wormley's death, his eldest son took over management of 
the hotel. But a climate of economic uncertainty and resurgence of 
racial hostilities in the post-Reconstruction era made it impossible 
for Wormley to get financing for much-needed renovations.
    The property was eventually sold, and the deteriorating building 
later razed.
    ``That deal to end Reconstruction, struck at the Wormley Hotel, set 
back racial progress for decades and decades and left a stain on our 
collective history,'' Graves said. ``Access to the credit and capital 
needed to start and grow a business hasn't been an option for many 
people, especially African Americans. That would change in an economy 
that was more inclusive.''
    In 1919, when racial animus in D.C. erupted in race riots, some of 
the Wormleys moved to Cleveland. Graves was born there. The family 
continued to emphasize the importance of education and 
entrepreneurship. And their successes have continued, as well. Thinking 
back on his family's roots, Graves said it takes ambition to live a 
life of dignity.
    ``But even that is not enough.'' he said. ``You also need help--
from your family, your community. You need government help, with more 
opportunities, with getting capital and investments, and other 
assistance to make the playing field a little more level, like we do 
with international trade.''
    On the drive to Wilmington where Biden would announce his 
nomination, Graves had seen the sign to Fort McHenry as he passed 
through Baltimore--and he thought of Key, who had been inspired to 
write the national anthem after witnessing the defense of the fort 
during the War of 1812.
    He recalled how Key had vouched for Lynch Wormley, helping at a 
critical time to get a license to work. And that happened even though 
Key had also been an enslaver and spoke of Black people as a ``distinct 
and inferior race.'' It is a paradox that has always haunted Black 
progress, in a land of the free, home of the enslaved.
    Graves has a recording of ``The Star Spangled Banner'' that he 
plays at the start of his daughter's soccer games. Now he was listening 
to it again, en route to be nominated by the president to help create a 
more equitable society.
    ``I was getting a little choked up, thinking, in this country, you 
can achieve anything you want--with a little help,'' he said.

    The Chair. Thank you for including that in the record. And 
I think I would say ditto to Senator Wicker's comments on about 
fish and boating. Seattle has more boats per capita than 
anybody else in the Nation. And clearly we plan entire weeks or 
months around copper river salmon. So we definitely, definitely 
agree with the Senator about this as a very big part of our 
economy and the challenges that we face. So we need to honor 
our fishermen.
    When we have had testimony before this committee, I know we 
had an actress in front of us. I can't remember what we were 
talking about--ocean's economy. But the fishermen who showed up 
articulated the needs of this issue more than anybody, and so I 
hope we will listen to them. And they are telling us they need 
some more help. So anyway, we will turn to Senator Klobuchar. I 
am sure she can tell us about walleye in Minnesota. But, you 
will find that fish are very important issues for all of us.

               STATEMENT OF HON. AMY KLOBUCHAR, 
                  U.S. SENATOR FROM MINNESOTA

    Senator Klobuchar. Chairwoman Cantwell and Senator Wicker, 
you stole my opening line. I was going to tell Mr. Graves that 
there is nothing better for Minnesotans than following a 
discussion on fishing. But I did want to tell you, Mr. Graves, 
how excited I am about your nomination. You have spent time in 
my state. You understand our community development 
organizations, and your mix of public and private experiences 
is going to be so great as well as your enthusiasm for this 
job. So I just thought I would start with tourism, kind of part 
of fishing, part of the restaurants that Senator Wicker was 
talking about. Senator Blunt and I have long lead the bill for 
Brand USA.
    We got it reauthorized back in, I think, 2019 up to 2027. 
As you know, that allows our country to advertise itself, not 
with taxpayer money, but with a mix of fees that foreign 
visitors pay as well as private sector money. And it has been a 
really, a positive, positive for bringing in more guests to our 
country that spend an average of $5,000 when they come here.
    And with the pandemic coming to a close, with light at the 
end of the tunnel, I can finally ask about tourism. So, Mr. 
Graves, could you comment about that?
    Mr. Graves. Well, thank you very much, Senator. And I 
really appreciated the opportunity to talk with you over the 
last few weeks. You have raised this issue before. I believe it 
is absolutely critical, as I said earlier to the Chair, that we 
get our tourism, travel and tourism industry back up and 
running the way that it should be, attracting folks from around 
the globe back into the United States. That we do everything 
that we need to do to get our arms around the pandemic.
    But we also need to make sure that we are promoting tourism 
to the U.S. Every state in the country has a wonderful tourist 
attraction, including my own state of Ohio. And I think that I 
would certainly want to work with you and other members of the 
Committee to make certain that the Department is doing 
everything that it can to promote tourism to the United States 
and get folks traveling again.
    Senator Klobuchar. Very good and I would love to get more 
detail on that later when you get into the job. U.S. Commercial 
Service, we talked briefly about that. 95 percent of our 
world's customers are outside of a border. Again, when we see 
the light at the end of the tunnel, I think we are going to see 
an increase in exports.
    I know it is a priority by the Biden Administration. Could 
you talk about what your plans are to expand, improve the U.S. 
Commercial Service Program to help our smaller businesses? And 
the Chairwoman has done such great work on the export bank and 
exports, to help our small businesses export abroad.
    Mr. Graves. Thank you for that question, Senator. I have 
spent a lot of time speaking with small businesses and medium-
sized businesses around the country who were talking about the 
very issue that you raise, the need to make certain that they 
can navigate the waters of exports, that they can get to--get 
their products and services out around the globe.
    And you have my commitment to working closely with you and 
the staff in the Commercial Service and across the Department 
to make sure that everything we do is focused on our clients, 
our customers, which is the U.S. taxpayers, U.S. businesses, 
that they are able to navigate our programs to use our 
resources so they can get their products to market. It is 
something that I have spent a lot of time in my career on is 
helping small businesses and helping make sure that they are 
able to navigate agencies and resources like the Department of 
Commerce. So you have my commitment to work with you on that.
    Senator Klobuchar. Good. 80 percent of venture capital is 
going to three metropolitan areas in the country. We would like 
to see some of that money going to other hubs and areas where 
we can allow new ideas to be unleashed. And I think we are 
better off if that money is spread across the country.
    So I have a bill, the New Business Preservation Act with a 
number of other Senators that would allow the country to start 
pushing some of that funding in a good way. Could you talk 
about your plans to help to make sure that ideas and venture 
capital is spread across the country as well as help to 
minority and women owned businesses?
    Mr. Graves. Thank you, Senator. I have spent a significant 
part of my career focused on making sure that businesses in 
this country, particularly small businesses, have the needed 
access to credit and capital. And I look forward to working 
with you on your legislation. I think that the Department of 
Commerce is in a great place to be able to advance the cause of 
capital all across the country, making certain that our small 
businesses have what they need to grow and create jobs, so I 
look forward to working with you on the legislation.
    Senator Klobuchar. Thank you. And Madam Chair, I will be 
asking the questions on the record about steel dumping, really 
important to Northern Minnesota. The work that has been done 
over the last few years to allow our iron ore mines to reopen, 
as well as the work Commerce does with regard to broadband 
since Representative Clyburn and I are introducing, 
reintroducing our bill today for some significant investment in 
broadband. Thank you.
    The Chair. Thank you for your leadership on those things. 
Senator Thune.

                 STATEMENT OF HON. JOHN THUNE, 
                 U.S. SENATOR FROM SOUTH DAKOTA

    Senator Thune. Thank you, Madam Chair. Mr. Graves, welcome 
to the Committee. As you know, responsible and effective 
spectrum management between NTIA and the FCC has enormous 
consequences for the United States'' ability to compete with 
China and other countries in the race to 5G. Do you support 
freeing up spectrum currently held by the Federal Government?
    Mr. Graves. Senator, thank you for that question. I believe 
that the Department of Commerce should be working very closely 
with the FCC to make certain, and with our--all of our Federal 
agencies, to identify ways to free up spectrum for use by the 
private sector so long as it does not negatively impact our 
National Security needs or the needs of our First Responders.
    Senator Thune. And on that point, with the development of 
new technologies like 5G, the spectrum demands are going to 
increase. And that is going to result, as I said, in Government 
agencies and others competing for those resources. So if 
confirmed, how would you--or maybe ask it more this way, what 
steps should the Department take to prevent interagency 
disputes relating to spectrum management issues?
    Mr. Graves. Thank you, Senator. Part of this is having 
conversations and making certain that each agency is brought to 
the table and is transparent about the way that they are using 
their data. And at the end of the day, we can certainly enlist 
the help of the White House in this. But the Department will be 
working very closely, as I have said, with the FCC and other 
agencies.
    And we need--as you point out, 5G is critical to our long 
term economic prospects. We have to maintain our technological 
advantage there, particularly given everything that China is 
doing. So you have my commitment to working very closely with 
all of the agencies and really pushing them to make sure that 
we are finding every amount of spectrum that we can free up for 
use to maintain our edge on 5G.
    Senator Thune. I hope you really will focus on that. We can 
be way more efficient and there is a lot of spectrum out there 
that are currently in the hands of Government agencies that I 
think could be effectively deployed for commercial use in a way 
that doesn't harm, as you point out, National Security. 
Congress provided NTIA with $1 billion to support broadband 
access in tribal areas. Will you commit to ensuring that NTIA 
coordinates with the FCC and USDA to see that those funds are 
targeted to truly underserved areas?
    Mr. Graves. Senator, absolutely. I have spent a significant 
part of my career working with tribal Governments and tribal 
communities and know and have seen, certainly given the 
pandemic, the impact that lack of access to broadband is having 
on communities all across the country, but especially our 
tribal communities. So you have my commitment on that one. That 
is a top priority for me.
    Senator Thune. As you know, FirstNet, which acts as an 
independent authority under NTIA, is to build out, operate, 
maintain a public safety network. They have made significant 
progress in deploying that network and I particularly 
appreciate the coverage expansion of rural areas like my home 
state of South Dakota. If confirmed, will you commit to ensure 
that FirstNet's deployment milestones will continue to be met? 
And second, do you believe that this can be done without 
additional funding from Congress?
    Mr. Graves. Senator, you have my commitment on the former, 
making certain that we are doing everything we can to meet 
those goals and objectives. And it is my understanding that 
FirstNet is able to do everything based on fees and does not at 
this time need additional funding to do--to take care of all of 
those, all of the work that it is doing.
    Senator Thune. In your testimony, you say that you will 
focus on recovering from the economic crisis caused by the 
COVID-19 pandemic, protecting our critical infrastructure, our 
National Security. What role does cybersecurity play in 
ensuring success in these areas and how can the United States 
strengthen its approach moving forward?
    Mr. Graves. Well, protecting our networks, our systems, and 
our data is one of the most important roles of the Federal 
Government. It is vital to maintaining the confidence in our 
Government. And I am committed to working with all of our 
agencies, particularly our National Security agencies, working 
with our research institutions, and the private sector 
stakeholders to make sure that we are doing all that we can to 
protect our cybersecurity. And that includes also making 
certain that our private sector businesses have what they need 
to protect their assets. Because we have seen with China and 
others who are infiltrating our systems, Russia, and stealing 
our intellectual property and our data, and frankly, we can't 
stand for that.
    Senator Thune. Madam Chairman, my time has expired. Thank 
you, Mr. Graves.
    The Chair. Thank you, Senator Thune. Senator Blumenthal.

             STATEMENT OF HON. RICHARD BLUMENTHAL, 
                 U.S. SENATOR FROM CONNECTICUT

    Senator Blumenthal. Thank you, Madam Chair. Good morning, 
Mr. Graves. Welcome to the Committee and thank you for your 
public service. I am interested in the supply chain. I know it 
is also a concern of yours and President Biden's. I welcome his 
Executive Order on America supply chains issued recently which 
concerns shortages of micro boards and semiconductors and 
essential components that go into the supply chain. The Order 
calls for a sweeping review of our dependency on foreign 
producers. But the need is really urgent, for example, for 
semiconductors because our automobile manufacturers are 
threatened. Recently, a bipartisan group of us wrote to the 
White House about the shortage of semiconductors, particularly 
affecting the automobile industry.
    But I saw it at a smaller scale at a company called Micro 
Board, which produces medical equipment and defense items in 
Seymour, Connecticut. And the shortage of semiconductors is 
threatening their ability to meet consumer demand for these 
essential products. What can we do about that shortage and more 
generally about the supply chain?
    Mr. Graves. Thank you very much, Senator, for that 
question. Thank you for the conversation that we had a few 
weeks ago. And you have raised this very important issue. 
Supply chain resiliency is critical to our ability as a nation 
to compete. And frankly, if we have strong supply chain 
resiliency, we will outcompete the rest of the world, even when 
it comes to situations like the pandemic. The semiconductor 
industry I know has had challenges meeting demand as we come 
out of the pandemic, especially the auto industry getting 
access to the semiconductors.
    As President Biden has done with his EO, and as you likely 
have seen, we need to review our entire supply chain. We also 
need to use all of the tools at the disposal of the Department 
of Commerce to make certain that we are getting access to 
things like semiconductors for our vital industries and that we 
are investing appropriately to grow our industries here and 
make certain that we are also keeping a fair and level playing 
field across the globe.
    Senator Blumenthal. The supply chain involves one industry 
that I think is very important to our future, commercial 
drones. Senator Scott and I have focused on the issue of 
commercial drones in Connecticut. We have a few drone companies 
like Aquiline and Ratico that offer alternatives to the 
insecure drones that are coming from China.
    A major part of our drone market comes from China. Those 
drones raise very serious security concerns. There is a lot 
that the Department of Justice can do to help drone companies 
grow and innovate. I am interested in what you would do, 
assuming you are confirmed.
    Mr. Graves. Thank you, Senator. And if confirmed, I would 
certainly want to make use of the Department's resources to 
invest in research and development in the space to make sure 
that we have that, working with the Labor Department and the 
Education Department, make sure that we have the workforce to 
meet the needs of the industry.
    And as I said, to make sure that we have the resiliency of 
the supply chain to ensure that that industry is successful. 
But I would look forward to working closely with you and 
learning more about the industry and the businesses to see in 
what additional ways we might be able to help.
    Senator Blumenthal. Do you have any insights as to why the 
United States has surrendered so large part of the market to 
Chinese production?
    Mr. Graves. Well, Senator, I am not an expert on that. I 
would just say that I would work with the career staff to 
understand what they see as the challenge and would want to 
speak with stakeholders in the industry to learn a bit more. 
But I think that generally we have to take a very firm stance 
with China. It is clear that they don't share our values, that 
they threaten our economy and our technology lead. And we have 
to take a firmer stance as we can, using our defensive and 
offensive tools to protect the industry.
    Senator Blumenthal. My time has expired, but I would like a 
commitment from you that once you are confirmed, as I believe 
you will be, you can give us a report, preferably in writing, 
using your professional staff as to what our strategy should be 
on drones to build a better supply chain, but also increase 
output so that we are relying on American drones, not Chinese 
drones.
    Mr. Graves. Well, Senator, you have my commitment to do 
that.
    The Chair. Thank you. Senator Cruz.

                  STATEMENT OF HON. TED CRUZ, 
                    U.S. SENATOR FROM TEXAS

    Senator Cruz. Thank you, Madam Chair. Mr. Graves, welcome. 
Congratulations on your nomination. On Election Day 2020, U.S. 
regular retail gas was selling at an average cost of $2.31 per 
gallon. On January 27, President Biden issued an Executive 
Order that ordered the Department of the Interior to pause new 
oil and gas leases on public land or offshore waters. Today, 
gas is selling at $2.91 a gallon.
    That is nearly a 28 percent increase in gas prices over 
just a few short months, which will cost American families 
nearly $400 more per year in added fuel costs. That is, in 
effect, a tax on the American people brought on by the 
President's leasing moratorium and his shutting down the 
Keystone Pipeline.
    In today's economy with millions of Americans out of work 
and millions more scared of losing their jobs and with their 
families struggling, if you had been consulted about this 
action prior to it being taken, would you have recommended the 
moratorium?
    Mr. Graves. Well, thank you very much, Senator. I very much 
appreciate the question. I would certainly have wanted to talk 
with the data experts at the Department. As you know, science 
shows that our climate is changing significantly. And it is my 
understanding that the President took those steps as a first 
step toward ensuring long term reduction in greenhouse gases 
and getting our arms around climate change. But I absolutely 
would have wanted to work closely with the Department of Energy 
and Department of the Interior and understand what they are 
seeing relative to gas costs.
    Clearly, we as Government need to make sure that we 
understand the long term downstream impacts of those decisions 
on our businesses. So I would leave it to the Department of the 
Interior and Energy, who are the experts on these issues. But I 
would also want to make sure that I am bringing to the table 
the input from all stakeholders.
    Senator Cruz. I would note your answer today is not 
entirely consistent with your previous record. In January 2012, 
while you were Executive Director of the Obama Jobs Council, 
the Council released a road map to renewal, which had more than 
60 recommendations to improve the economy. The first 
recommendation in the energy chapter reads as follows, ``First, 
we should allow more access to oil, natural gas, and coal 
opportunities on Federal lands.
    Where sources of shale natural gas have been uncovered, 
Federal, State and local authorities should encourage its safe 
and responsible extraction.'' The report goes on to say, 
``further expanding and expediting the domestic production of 
fossil fuels, both offshore and onshore, will reduce America's 
reliance on foreign oil. And additionally, policies that 
facilitate the safe, thoughtful, and timely development of 
pipeline transmission and distribution projects are necessary 
to facilitate the delivery of America's fuel and electricity 
and maintain the reliability of our Nation's energy system.'' 
Do you still agree with what your task force wrote then?
    Mr. Graves. Well, thank you, Senator. I will just note that 
the members of the Jobs Council were independent external 
advisors who prepared the report. So that was their statement. 
That said, I do believe that the science and data have advanced 
significantly and are showing that the impact of climate change 
is having a massive impact and it is affecting people's lives 
and livelihoods. And that if we shift, as the President has 
called out, to a green energy and clean energy set of economies 
and investments, we actually will create millions of new jobs 
and we will also continue to bring down energy costs.
    Senator Cruz. Mr. Graves, are you telling this committee 
that you were the Executive Director of the Jobs Council and 
you didn't agree with the recommendations from the Jobs 
Council?
    Mr. Graves. Senator, I am just telling you that they--I was 
merely a coordinator----
    Senator Cruz. Did you agree with the recommendation or not?
    Mr. Graves. Senator, the members made their own statement. 
They came together as a group to make that report.
    Senator Cruz. Did you have a role in drafting that?
    Mr. Graves. I merely provided advice and support to the 
members and they made their own judgment.
    Senator Cruz. So my question is simple, did you agree with 
that recommendation in 2012? You might say that we are a few 
years later. You might say you have decided you were wrong. My 
question is, when the recommendation was issued--and this was 
not the Trump's Jobs Council, this was the Barack Obama's Jobs 
Council. You were the Executive Director. Did agree with the 
Jobs Council's recommendation?
    Mr. Graves. Senator, I believe that we should look to a 
wide range of sources of energy and including increasing the 
amount of renewable energy sources at that time. Again, the 
Jobs Council's recommendations were their own. And I was----
    Senator Cruz. So you are not going to answer if you agreed?
    Mr. Graves. I agreed in part and disagreed in part.
    Senator Cruz. So what did you disagree with?
    The Chair. Senator Tester.

                 STATEMENT OF HON. JON TESTER, 
                   U.S. SENATOR FROM MONTANA

    Senator Tester. Thank you, Madam Chair. I don't know 
whether to respond to Senator Cruz's line of questioning or 
not, but it is interesting that he intended to leave out an 
incident that happened in Texas in the storm that shut down the 
industry, which had impacts on the crisis, by the way, and 
wasn't due to wind or solar. It was due to no regulation of the 
electrical grid in Texas and the fact that demand is up for a 
while. But we will let that go. I want to stick with Mr. Graves 
here. Appreciate you being here at this committee hearing.
    I want to talk to you a little bit about broadband, because 
if this pandemic has taught us anything is how important 
broadband is both from a health care standpoint, an education 
standpoint, and an economic opportunity standpoint. I come from 
rural America, where, quite frankly, the broadband coverage is 
not where it needs to be.
    And I live fairly close to an Indian reservation where the 
broadband coverage isn't what it needs to be. If you are 
confirmed to this position, can you tell me how you are going 
to prioritize rural America and Indian country too?
    Mr. Graves. Well, Senator, thank you very much. And I 
appreciate the chance to speak with you a few weeks ago and 
where you raise these very issues. We have seen clearly, as a 
result of COVID-19, the need for access to affordable, high-
speed broadband is critical to every community in the country, 
especially to our rural areas and tribal communities, which 
have limited access. It is important for business. It is 
important for access to medical care. It is critically 
important for access to services.
    So my belief is that we should do everything in our power 
to make certain that broadband is expanded into every community 
in the country and that we get the NTIA grants expedited. That 
we are increasing the amount of broadband access in rural, and 
I would look forward to working with you closely on this issue 
going forward.
    Senator Tester. Well, I look forward to that opportunity. I 
will tell you that if we don't prioritize the areas that are 
underserved or not served at all, I don't think we are going to 
have the economy that is going to work for all parts of this 
country. And so I hope that is a priority for you. I want to 
talk about EDA because I think the Economic Development 
Administration is a great resource.
    We addressed it in the CARES Act that we passed nearly a 
year ago and we addressed it in the American Rescue Plan that 
we passed last week. And the fact is, is that the ability for 
EDA to deal with the unprecedented challenges of this pandemic 
is critical and it is how we retain businesses across this 
country. Tell me, because I think the American Rescue Plan 
allocated 25 percent of the $3 billion going to communities 
suffering from job loss from travel, tourism or the outdoor 
recreation sector. Can you tell me how you are going to 
implement that?
    Mr. Graves. Well, thank you, Senator, for that question. I 
think it is vital for us to get these dollars out the door and 
make sure that the hardest hit communities by the pandemic are 
getting the resources as quickly as possible. I will tell you 
that I know from my own experience and some of the programs 
that I have run, that it is absolutely the most important to 
have close coordination between the Federal Government agencies 
that implement, in this case EDA, and our partners across the 
Federal, state, and local Governments, and working with local 
stakeholders.
    So having ongoing conversations and using the expertise 
that the career staff have, not just at EDA who are fantastic, 
but also staff across the Federal Government to make certain 
that the dollars are going quickly, are being used effectively 
and efficiently, and that most importantly, we are getting our 
local economies going again.
    Senator Tester. Thank you for that. Last question very 
quickly. Agriculture got pounded because of the trade wars of 
the previous Administration. And I mean pounded. The prices 
still are not where they need to be and is the reason why 40 
percent of farm income came from the Federal Government last 
year. Can you tell me how you are going to work with USTR to 
expand new markets, not only for agriculture, but for 
everybody?
    Mr. Graves. Thank you, Senator. I completely agree with you 
that we need to do more for agriculture and making certain that 
we are dealing with the trade challenges that we are facing 
across the globe. I would commit to working closely with USTR 
and with our partners at the Department of State and utilizing 
all of the tools at the Department's disposal to bring down 
barriers across the globe to our produce and our products and 
ensuring that we are making the right types of investments for 
our farms, for agriculture, making necessary infrastructure 
investments so we can make certain that their products are 
getting to market in a timely fashion.
    Senator Tester. Thank you, Mr. Graves. Thank you, Madam 
Chair.
    The Chair. Thank you, Senator Tester. We now have Senator 
Blackburn.

              STATEMENT OF HON. MARSHA BLACKBURN, 
                  U.S. SENATOR FROM TENNESSEE

    Senator Blackburn. Thank you, Madam Chairman, and Mr. 
Graves, thank you for being with us today and congratulations 
to you on your nomination. Couple of topics quick, yes or no. 
Do you support the nationalization of 5G telecommunications 
network?
    Mr. Graves. Senator, thank you. I do not.
    Senator Blackburn. Thank you. Do you believe Huawei 
Technologies should remain on the Commerce Department's entity 
list?
    Mr. Graves. Thank you, Senator, for that. Based on all 
information, public information that I provided, I have no 
reason to believe that Huawei should be removed from the 
entities list at this time.
    Senator Blackburn. OK. And you had--Senator Blumenthal 
mentioned supply chain to you, and there are a group of us that 
were at the White House a few weeks back on meeting with the 
President and Vice-President on supply chain issues and looking 
at repatriation. So very quickly, how would you put emphasis on 
repatriating and bringing back pharmaceuticals, 
microprocessors, semiconductor chips?
    Mr. Graves. Thank you, Senator. As you know, the President 
has done an Executive Order recently focusing on supply chain 
resiliency, conducting a review across all of the agencies over 
the next 100 days on that. I would certainly want to have the 
Department of Commerce working closely to be a part of that 
supply chain review, making sure that we see where there are 
gaps, where there are challenges, and again, using all of the 
tools at the Department's disposal, including our defensive 
tools, protecting against trade barriers, but investing in 
critical infrastructures like the semiconductor industry.
    Senator Blackburn. Sounds good. OK, Privacy Shield. How do 
you plan to proceed with the Privacy Shield negotiations with 
the Europeans?
    Mr. Graves. Thank you, Senator. The--I was dismayed by the 
European Court of Justice's ruling about data. Data and privacy 
and free flow of data and privacy are critical to our 
businesses. And I believe that we should do everything in our 
power to speed up the negotiations with the European Union and 
member countries so that we can ensure that continued free flow 
of data to deal with the Privacy Shield issue.
    Senator Blackburn. And likewise, AI is going to be 
important to us over the next couple of decades. And NIST has 
some credible and important work going on in this realm. How do 
you plan to prioritize the work at NIST?
    Mr. Graves. Thank you for that question. The work that the 
career staff at NIST does can't be understated. We must 
maintain our lead in technology as a country. And leading our 
global standard setting is something that we should be 
continuing to pursue and push. And I think that the staff that 
at NIST, I would like to work with them closely to make sure 
that they are prioritizing AI and our technological advantage--
--
    Senator Blackburn. Yes, let me ask you one more thing in 
conjunction with that. It is important--and you mentioned 
standard settings which is vital because China is pushing to 
grab that position right now. So how would you engage our 
allies in sharing this work with them?
    Mr. Graves. Thank you, Senator. We need to rebuild our 
relationships with all of our allies, bringing them along with 
us. I think that NIST and other parts of the Department should 
be working closely with our allies on these issues and on the 
standard setting. If we can spend the time working closely with 
the experts in industry and experts in research institutions, 
supporting the career staff at NIST, I believe that we will 
come up with standards that our European allies--excuse me, our 
allies across the globe will want to join in on, and that will 
continue to allow us to lead the way.
    Senator Blackburn. And I appreciate that you make it across 
the globe. Of course, Japan has been a wonderful partner to us, 
and also has pushed the clean network plan. Thank you, Madam 
Chairman. Yield back.
    The Chair. Thank you. Senator Rosen.

                STATEMENT OF HON. JACKY ROSEN, 
                    U.S. SENATOR FROM NEVADA

    Senator Rosen. Thank you, Chair Cantwell, Ranking Member 
Wicker, and for holding this hearing, and of course, to Mr. 
Graves, for your willingness to serve in this very important 
role. And we have a lot of important roles. But in my state, 
travel, tourism and hospitality are major economic drivers and 
job creators--like I said in my state of Nevada. In 2019, our 
states saw nearly 50 million visitors and tourism spending in 
the Las Vegas area supported nearly a quarter of all jobs. Our 
outdoor tourism industry from Northern Nevada, Lake Tahoe all 
the way down Southern Nevada, Lake Mead, Red Rock, Canyon, they 
bring billions of dollars and jobs and visitors to Nevada year-
round. But the pandemic has hit Nevada's tourism economy 
particularly hard.
    Recovery for travel and tourism has been extremely slow. It 
is slower than the rest of the economy. So I am grateful to be 
Chair of the new Subcommittee on Tourism, Trade, and Export 
Promotion. And I am looking forward to working with you to 
rebuild all of these critical sectors going forward. So, Mr. 
Graves, the Department's National Travel and Tourism Office, 
you are tasked with enhancing the competitiveness of the U.S. 
travel and tourism industry.
    So if you are confirmed, I hope you will commit to ensuring 
that you prioritize travel and tourism and that you would also 
commit to working with me to develop a national strategy 
focused on improving domestic tourism during and post pandemic?
    Mr. Graves. Well, Senator, thank you for that. As someone 
who spent a lot of time in your state, touring different parts 
of your state, I fully understand the need for focusing on 
travel and tourism. I would commit to doing both certainly. I 
commit to working with you and other members of the Committee 
to ensure that our tourism, travel and tourism industry has the 
necessary resources and that we can get it back to the place 
that it needs to be. So, yes, absolutely.
    Senator Rosen. Thank you. I appreciate that. And of course, 
nothing else happens much without broadband these days. We have 
seen, particularly in the pandemic, that broadband is the basis 
for everything. So I represent as well one of the fastest 
growing states in the United States. Like I said, home to Las 
Vegas and Reno. Vast rural areas where more than 80 percent of 
our land in Nevada is federally owned, and unfortunately, 65 
percent, 65 percent of Nevada's rural population lacks access 
to high speed Internet.
    Last December's COVID relief package included a number of 
broadband provisions, included $1 billion to the National 
Telecommunications and Information Administration for tribal 
and rural broadband. So how are you going to ensure the agency 
under your jurisdiction has the resources needed to manage 
these new great programs, including your grant making 
authority, make sure you are coordinating with other agencies 
important to us in the West, like BLM, the Bureau of Indian 
Affairs, and USDA? Like I said, 80 percent of our land, 
federally owned or managed.
    Mr. Graves. Thank you, Senator. I couldn't agree more about 
the need for broadband access all across the country, 
particularly in those areas that are unserved or underserved, 
such as in your state. I would certainly want to rely on some 
of the expertise that I gained in standing up new programs 
coming out of the Great Recession during the Obama 
Administration, new grant programs that we deployed those funds 
very quickly, very efficiently, and I would seek to do the 
same.
    But I would certainly want to work closely with the staff 
of NTIA and also engage stakeholders across the country, tribal 
leaders, local Government officials, and of course, business to 
make sure that we are doing everything in our power to expedite 
broadband access across the country.
    Senator Rosen. Thank you. I appreciate that. And I guess I 
am going to keep it real Nevada specific, because one thing we 
have plenty of in Nevada is sunshine. What does that mean? It 
means you have a robust solar industry, and it is incredibly 
important because we have lost the most solar jobs per capita 
than any other state in the country. And before her 
confirmation hearing of Secretary Raimondo, I expressed my 
serious concerns with Section 201 tariffs on imported solar 
panels and cells. These misguided tariffs have cost us an 
estimated 62,000 solar jobs across the U.S.
    And when these tariffs increase to about 18 percent, they 
are going to cause more job losses already on top of the 
economic crisis has been caused by the pandemic. And so we 
really have to move our solar industry forward and Section 201 
tariffs will simply kill more American jobs. So will you commit 
to working with me and my team to address this pressing and 
time sensitive issue as we work to roll back the current 
tariffs on imported solar panels and hopefully improve our 
solar industry in general?
    Mr. Graves. You absolutely have my commitment to work with 
you and your team on that issue and make certain that 
unintended impacts when using our tariffs are not occurring in 
industry. I think I would completely agree with you that we 
need to do everything we can to protect our industries. And in 
keeping with the President's commitment on climate change, this 
is something that we should definitely take a look at so we 
will commit to working with you on it.
    Senator Rosen. Thank you so much, and I yield back.
    The Chair. Thank you. Senator Lummis. I will give Senator 
Lummis a second here. I will just say on that last point that 
Senator Rosen was making, I hope the Administration will really 
look at a reset, you know, as it relates to tariffs. We have 
had some of the same disputes that are still ongoing.
    So we didn't resolve anything. And these actually, you 
know, what she is referring to started with the Obama 
Administration. So we lived through that and 4 years of the 
Trump Administration and we still have the same--we have not 
gotten off the dime. So the tariffs haven't resolved the issue. 
So we hope that we will have a more engaged Department of 
Commerce in trying to help us on these important issues. 
Senator Lummis.

               STATEMENT OF HON. CYNTHIA LUMMIS, 
                   U.S. SENATOR FROM WYOMING

    Senator Lummis. Thank you, Madam Chairman. I really 
appreciate the opportunity to ask some questions today. Making 
sure economic opportunity is inclusive is really important to 
me as well. And in order for economic opportunity to be 
inclusive of rural and tribal communities in my home state of 
Wyoming and across the country, closing digital divides must be 
a priority. So I have a few questions on that issue. As you 
know, one of the challenges that comes with providing service 
to rural and hard to reach areas is overbuild. What do you 
envision is the best way to counter overbuild and ensure that 
funding for rural broadband is going to truly underserved 
areas?
    Mr. Graves. Well, thank you, Senator, for that question. I 
too share a commitment and focus on broad economic 
inclusiveness, inclusivity, and closing the digital divide is 
clearly one of the top issues. I would want to work closely 
with the staff at NTIA on this issue to make sure that we are 
fully understanding the impact of overbuild on areas like rural 
areas which are unserved or underserved. I would want to work 
with you as well and your staff on making sure that we are 
finding ways to get broadband access to those unserved and 
underserved areas.
    Senator Lummis. Well, that is music to our ears. And we 
would love to take you up on that. And I appreciate your 
willingness to engage with us on that. Innovation is also an 
important part of solving the digital divide, but with the 
importance of getting reliable connections to communities and 
the huge expense of doing so, do you believe Federal funding 
should be going to broadband technologies that are in beta 
testing rather than ensuring Federal funding goes to 
technologies that are proven?
    Mr. Graves. Senator, thank you for that. I think it is 
always a balance when you are talking about new technologies 
versus proven technologies. I would want to work with the 
wonderful career staff at NTIA to get a better understanding of 
what is the best and most effective, balanced approach. As you 
point out, innovation is critical for this country. It has been 
really important for us to have the type of economy that we 
have been able to grow over these many hundred years.
    And so I would certainly want to make sure that the Federal 
Government is doing what it can to invest in ways that--in 
areas that the market may not be able to make appropriate 
investments in, but at the same time, making sure that we are 
providing resources to ensure that proven technologies are 
being used to bridge gaps like in rural and other underserved 
areas.
    Senator Lummis. And switching gears a little bit. Wyoming 
was fortunate during the pandemic to have a really robust 
outdoor recreation, tourism opportunity for people, and they 
took advantage of it. So we had a decent end of season, but our 
hospitality industry was still hit hard. A recently released 
report from the World Tourism and Travel Council stated that 
the uncertainty in the travel and tourism industry will 
continue for months to years. What do you envision the Commerce 
Department's role being in the recovery of the American tourism 
industry over the long term?
    Mr. Graves. Thank you, Senator. I too believe that we need 
to do more and quickly to support the travel and tourism 
industry. It is a critically important part of our economy. I 
would certainly want to work with the Travel and Tourism 
Advisory Board, work with stakeholders across the country, and 
work with members of this committee to use all of the resources 
that the Department of Commerce has to deal with this issue, 
including the Economic Development Administration and the 
Minority Business Development Agency, to make sure that the 
small businesses and mid-sized businesses that have been so 
adversely affected by the pandemic have the resources that they 
need to come back and come back in a strong way.
    Senator Lummis. That Tourism Board has some--the Advisory 
Board has some heavy hitters on it, so that is a great answer. 
Madam Chairman, thank you. I yield back.
    The Chair. Thank you, Senator Lummis. Senator Peters.

                STATEMENT OF HON. GARY PETERS, 
                   U.S. SENATOR FROM MICHIGAN

    Senator Peters. Well, thank you, Madam Chair. And Mr. 
Graves, it is great to see you here before us on the Committee. 
So I want to say, I will start off for the record and for my 
colleagues to share my appreciation for the work that we did 
together when I was a member of the House and certainly know 
your passion for small business. And together we collaborated 
to pass the State Small Business Credit Initiative, which, 
after its creation, is responsible for over 10,000 jobs in 
Michigan and thousands of jobs all across the country. We did 
that together in 2010. Now, here we are a decade later and we 
are about to further realize again, once again, the success of 
that program with a $10 billion investment in the America's 
Rescue Plan, which I am confident will continue to be 
successful and create more jobs.
    And the work that you do in the small business community I 
think bodes well for your work here at the Department of 
Commerce. So, again, thank you for that effort on your part and 
look forward to, if confirmed, to continuing to work with you. 
And as you know, one of my passions is manufacturing. Coming 
from Michigan and a manufacturing state, and as someone who in 
my core believes that you can never be a great country if you 
don't actually make things and manufacturing is the core of our 
economy, you and I have had the opportunity to discuss my 
proposal for a National Institute of Manufacturing, which will 
elevate manufacturing, coordinate all of the 58 plus programs 
dealing with manufacturing across 11 different Federal 
agencies, in that proposal will create a chief manufacturing 
officer, develop a national strategic plan for manufacturing, 
revive and elevate the National Manufacturing Council that 
currently exists, as well as a host of other initiatives.
    So my question to you, Mr. Graves, is can you speak to what 
you believe the Department of Commerce role should be in 
manufacturing? And how can we improve the manufacturing 
environment in this country?
    Mr. Graves. Thank you, Senator. I very much have enjoyed 
our conversations recently and over the years and thank you for 
everything that you have done to support the State Small 
Business Credit Initiative and small businesses. And as it 
relates to your question, I completely agree that manufacturing 
is vital to this Nation's economy, to our long term prospects, 
that we need to do more to increase the support for 
manufacturers. And that includes a balance of ensuring that we 
have a fair and level playing field across the globe using the 
export controls that the Department has. At the same time, 
making sure that we are investing in research and R&D and 
innovation.
    That we are creating the jobs of the future, and that we 
are also using the Economic Development Administration, the 
Minority Business Development Administration, to support those 
small and mid-sized manufacturers at critical times in their 
growth. And I would, if confirmed, would also want to work with 
the Departments of Education and Labor to ensure that we are 
supporting the American workers, getting them the training that 
they need so they can be successful.
    But I would absolutely want to work closely with you on 
your proposal. And as you know, I have spent a lot of time with 
manufacturers in Michigan as well as in my home state of Ohio, 
so this is near and dear to my heart.
    Senator Peters. Well, I know that, Mr. Graves, and I look 
forward to having that opportunity. You know, one thing that we 
also have to focus on as we compete globally is that we have to 
make sure the rules are fair. We know we have the best 
manufacturing firms in the world. We have got the best workers 
in the world. We can outcompete anybody in the world, but we 
have to make sure the rules are fair. And sometimes it is very 
difficult if you are in a small industry or--and trying to take 
on nation states that are engaged in predatory trade actions. 
The issue in Michigan, we have our cherry growers, for example, 
who are right now hanging on for their lives because of dumping 
from Turkey of cherries that could very well put them out of 
business. It is one of our iconic agricultural products.
    In fact Traverse City area is cherry capital of the world 
for tart cherries, and we want to make sure there is a level 
playing field. But they can't hire the army of lawyers and an 
economist necessary to bring a trade action. So I have 
introduced legislation with Senator Burr to create a team at 
the Department of Commerce dedicated to monitoring trade flows 
and producing self-initiation recommendations so that the 
Federal Government can help these small producers, these small 
manufacturers, stand up for their rights and their ability to 
compete globally.
    So my question to you, Mr. Graves, if confirmed, will you 
work with me to advance this bipartisan self-initiation 
legislation to provide an avenue for small trade exposed 
sectors to have the Government self-initiate trade cases and 
basically go to bat for them?
    Mr. Graves. Well, Senator, you absolutely have my 
commitment. And you have talked with me extensively about the 
challenge that the cherry growers are having in Michigan and 
other businesses. And I think that we need to use the tools at 
our disposal, including the anti-dumping and countervailing 
duties, laws, rules to ensure a fair competition because our 
workers and our businesses can outcompete the world as long as 
we are playing on a fair playing field.
    Senator Peters. Right. Thank you, Mr. Graves.
    Mr. Graves. Thank you.
    The Chair. Senator Scott.

                 STATEMENT OF HON. RICK SCOTT, 
                   U.S. SENATOR FROM FLORIDA

    Senator Scott. Thank you, Chair Cantwell. Mr. Graves, thank 
you for being here. Thank you for your willingness to serve. I 
grew up in a family that struggled for work and so I was 
Governor of Florida for 8 years and I put most of my time into 
figuring out how we got more jobs. And we were able to do that. 
We added 1.--well, Government didn't. The private sector added 
1.7 million jobs. And so I am very concerned about where we are 
right now and any policy that would impact job growth. One of 
my biggest concerns up here is the role that communist China 
has been has played in a variety of things. I mean, they 
clearly don't comply with any agreements. They don't comply 
with trade agreements. They are not they are not living up to 
their last trade agreement. They don't live up to the 
obligations under the WTO. I mean there is not--I am not seen 
one thing that they have ever done that they said they are 
going to do, unless--other than bad things.
    And on top of that, you know, they are a horrible human 
rights abuser with the Uyghurs, taking away the basic rights of 
Hong Kong citizens. So my question for you is, and I have 
talked to Bob Lighthizer about this quite a bit when he was the 
trade rep is, how do you--how are we going to get them to 
comply with anything and who is going to do it?
    I mean, we don't hold them accountable for their violations 
of the WTO and we don't hold them accountable for their 
violations of the trade agreements. So what would be your plan 
to hold communist China accountable?
    Mr. Graves. Thank you, Senator. And I appreciated our 
conversation on this topic as well. As we have discussed, China 
is a threat to our security and our prosperity and our values. 
And as we have seen, they have already hurt American workers 
and businesses. They have blunted our technological advantage. 
They have challenged our National Security. And as you have 
pointed out, committed gross human rights violations. So in 
answer to your question, I would want to, if confirmed, use all 
of the tools at our disposal, both defensive and offensive, to 
protect American businesses and prevent China from this type of 
illegal practices and illegal actions.
    I think that it requires a whole of Government approach 
working with the foreign policy team, the National Security 
team, and our economic policy agencies to develop a whole set 
of practices for ensuring that the Chinese are held accountable 
for their actions. And that includes working with our allies 
and partners around the globe to help them understand that a 
threat to us is not just a threat to us, it is also a threat to 
them.
    Senator Scott. I think we talked about that--thank you very 
much. We talked about this also, you know, seasonal produce 
farmers especially, I think throughout the Southeast, but for 
sure at the state of Florida--it seems like Mexico has picked 
the tomatoes first and strawberries and blueberries for 
basically whatever we grow, they dump. And it is really unfair, 
and it impacts jobs and livelihood of people in my state.
    And I am sure it is true in other parts of the Southeast. 
This was unfortunately not addressed in the USMCA. I worked 
with the USTR in the past couple of years to see what we could 
accomplish, you know, and they put some effort into it. So what 
do you think we ought to--how are we ever going to help our 
seasonal produce farmers in Florida and throughout the 
Southeast, and do you have any plans for doing that?
    Mr. Graves. Well, thank you, Senator. I would certainly 
want to work with the career staff at Commerce, but also work 
closely with USTR and utilize the anti-dumping and 
countervailing duties rules to make certain that there is fair 
competition. And you have made it very clear that the challenge 
that the seasonal produce farmers are having. And I think that 
that is a challenge not just in your state, but other states as 
well.
    We need to make certain that there is a fair and level 
playing field across the globe for our industries, for our 
workers, and that I would certainly want to work with, as I 
said, with U.S. trade reps, but also the Department of Homeland 
Security to make sure that foreign companies aren't evading the 
laws because we need to make certain that our industries are 
protected as best as they can be.
    Senator Scott. Thank you. So one of the roles of the 
Department Commerce is to make sure, as you know, we get more 
jobs. And I don't know if that will ever end. So the need for 
more jobs as we continue to grow our country and more people 
want to come here because of our job opportunities.
    One concern I have is the $15 minimum wage and the impact 
that will have on jobs. The--some of the reports say it is 
over, what, 1.4 million people are going to lose their job if 
we raise it to $15, which--and I know you have got the other--
you will be you will be responsible for trying to make sure we 
get more jobs. How do you view the minimum wage and what would 
you do?
    Mr. Graves. Thank you. Well, if confirmed, I would 
certainly look to the lead of the President on this, but I 
think that what we need to do is certainly follow his 
recommendations that we move to $15 minimum over time. It is 
clear that that brings millions of people out of poverty. At 
the same time, we need to make investments to ensure that our 
industries have the support that they need to grow. And also, 
as I mentioned, that we are working with a fair and balanced--
excuse me, a fair and level playing field across the globe, 
because that is really the challenge. If we can get our 
competitors across the globe to play by the rules, it will make 
it easier for us to bring up the wages of our employees here in 
the United States.
    Senator Scott. Thank you, Mr. Graves. Thank you, Chair 
Cantwell.
    The Chair. Thank you, Senator Scott. Senator Lujan.
    Senator Hickenlooper.

             STATEMENT OF HON. JOHN HICKENLOOPER, 
                   U.S. SENATOR FROM COLORADO

    Senator Hickenlooper. Let me make sure I am unmuted. Mr. 
Graves, thank you for a very enlightening testimony. I am very 
excited about the work you can do with the SBA. I am a small 
business veteran myself. I want to ask you a little bit about 
the Minority Business Development Agency. Over the last 10 
years, they have generated something close to $40 billion in 
contracts and capital. This should be an easy question, I hope. 
Should Congress make this agency permanent?
    Mr. Graves. Thank you, Senator. Well, I believe strongly in 
the importance of the Minority Business Development Agency. I 
think that there is a lot that we can do. I leave it up to this 
body to make that determination. But I believe very strongly in 
the mission of the Minority Business Development Agency. And 
certainly if you made the determination that it should be--that 
it should have statutory authority, we would certainly want to 
do everything in our power to expand its use and its resources 
and reach.
    Senator Hickenlooper. Great, thank you. Very politically 
astute. Now let's switch to the connection, the nexus between 
small business and cybersecurity and certainly the Internet has 
dramatically expanded the access of small businesses to markets 
they couldn't imagine 20 years ago.
    But it has also made them uniquely vulnerable to the 
increasing number of hacks that take place often on--in 
widespread environments. There is a statistic I find deeply 
troubling that 60 percent of small businesses, once they have 
been hacked, end up failing because of that hacking episode. So 
is there some way that the National Institute for Standards and 
Technology, NIST, can help provide some resources for small 
businesses, both to deal with hacks once they have happened, 
but also to do a better job of preventing hacks?
    Mr. Graves. Thank you, Senator. That is a great question. I 
am very concerned about our Nation's cybersecurity, 
particularly the cybersecurity of our small, mid, and large 
businesses. But even more so the small businesses, as you point 
out, that don't have the resources to take the type of 
protective steps that they might--that larger businesses might. 
I believe that the very talented staff at NIST can certainly 
work closely with external stakeholders, including the research 
institutions, our local and State Governments, to provide 
greater information, to provide information about the types of 
standards and practices that those businesses can take and 
should be taking for their cyber health. And I also would like 
the Department of Commerce, if confirmed, to work closely with 
the Small Business Administration and other parts of the 
Administration to ensure that resources are provided to those 
small businesses so that they can take the precautionary steps 
that they need to avoid cyber intrusions.
    Senator Hickenlooper. Great. Well, we agree on that. 
Continuing on small businesses, certainly small businesses are 
vulnerable to the challenges and effects of not being able to 
attract talent. And in Colorado, we have embraced the 
apprenticeships and career technical education, CTE. We have a 
program called Career Wise, which is a pilot on these 
apprenticeships that are not just in the trades, but include 
banking, insurance, advanced manufacturing, pretty much 
everything.
    What can Commerce do to partner with the states to help 
accelerate the skills transfer that we are going to need--you 
know, each wave of automation and artificial intelligence, 
these waves change our professional landscapes? How can the 
Commerce help be a better partner with the states?
    Mr. Graves. Well, certainly there are very few issues that 
are as important as this issue, the need for growing our talent 
inside the United States and also attracting talent and keeping 
talent from around the globe. Small businesses rely on that 
talent and have far fewer resources than larger firms do. I 
would certainly, if confirmed, want to work closely with the 
Department of Labor and the Department of Education on this. 
But to your point, also working closely with the states and 
local Governments, with stakeholders.
    As I have seen in the work that I have done, if you have 
those conversations, you can get at the specific needs of the 
small businesses and not end up producing workers and folks who 
have, who were trained in one area, but that area is no longer 
relevant to the needs of the businesses. So but I would 
certainly want to work with you closely on that issue as well.
    Senator Hickenlooper. Well, thank you and we agree. I look 
forward to working with you. Thank you very much.
    The Chair. Thank you, Senator Hickenlooper. Thank you. Mr. 
Graves. I have a few more questions. We may have a couple of 
other members here check in. We will find out, but if not, we 
will--after this we will excuse you. But I wanted to follow up. 
You know, we talked about science and climate a little bit.
    And you mentioned in your testimony, too. Obviously, we 
want to see very strong science integrity out of the Department 
of Commerce. And the mission of NOAA on weather forecasting is 
critically important. So we want to see an enhanced 
collaboration between NOAA and the research entities across the 
Federal Government to make sure that we are working 
collaboratively, that we are on the same page. You were the 
head of the Cancer Moonshot, so you worked, you know, to break 
down barriers and improved collaboration.
    I am very big on collaboration. I see it work all the time 
in the State of Washington on things that people really don't 
agree on. I mean, literally vehemently opposed but sit down and 
figure out how to make progress. Why? Because you live in an 
information age and you have new data and information.
    So if you can get people to the table, chances are you are 
going to get some collaboration off of that data. So what can 
you do to help elevate that experience that you had at NOAA to 
help us on the science and technology related to weather 
forecasting?
    Mr. Graves. Chair Cantwell, thank you for that. The 
integrity of science and data, particularly in the climate 
field, is vital to our long term economic interests. And I 
would first say that the expert staff of the National Weather 
Service and more broadly at NOAA are doing a fantastic job. We 
know that there are positions that need to be filled at the 
National Weather Service so I would prioritize getting those 
positions filled as quickly as possible because they are 
stretched thin.
    But I also completely agree with you on the need for 
greater collaboration, breaking down of silos, as we saw with 
the Cancer Moonshot. Too often cancer labs--it is in their 
interest to keep information to themselves because then it 
means that if they have a success, they get a big win and they 
get notoriety and more funding. That shouldn't be the case 
certainly in cancer initiatives, but it definitely shouldn't be 
the case as it relates to weather prediction and modeling.
    And we should work with every stakeholder across the 
Federal Government, but also our local and State partners to 
ensure that we have the best data science, that we are doing 
everything in our power to break down those silos, and remind 
folks that it is the American taxpayer, it is the American 
consumer, it is American businesses that are our clients, and 
that that is where our interests should be aligned.
    The Chair. Well, I am glad to hear you say that. But I do 
think there is--we have this example in December where the 
Weather Service launched a new website that was based on radar 
imagery that I would just say was subpar. And so for us, I 
mean, we have so much traffic, we need to know whether 
Snoqualmie Pass is going to be shut down and whether you have 
to make alternatives. We need to know whether we are going to 
have these power outages.
    Whether that is caused by, you know, fire or--we have done 
great work in enhancing the law as it relates to smoke 
forecasting, because this is critically important to with the 
level of fires that are out there. So I just I hope that you 
guys will--I think you are exactly right. This is about the 
taxpayers getting a fair return and getting the best 
technology. And we don't want to keep constantly hearing that, 
well, here is what the U.S. model says and then here is what 
the European model says. Why? Because the Europeans have just 
put more data or big computing behind the information.
    So we hope that the United States will do that as well. I 
mentioned salmon earlier. We would like to see a strategy to 
obviously make an impact on the decline in salmon. And so as we 
talk about an infrastructure bill, we need to also think about 
habitat restoration and bold scientific initiatives around 
that. So would you work with us to boost salmon efforts and 
with a clear eye on how they are being impacted by climate?
    Mr. Graves. Well, I couldn't agree more with you. And let 
me, if I may Madam Chair, just go back and just say I 
completely agree with you on the weather data. The United 
States deserves the gold standard in weather prediction and in 
modeling. So I completely agree with you on that. And on the 
infrastructure, yes, I agree with you as well. We should be 
doing all that we can to invest in a robust salmon 
infrastructure and more broadly in our fisheries management. 
You have my commitment to work closely with you on that issue.
    The Chair. Great. Well, I think that concludes our 
questions. I want to thank all our colleagues for their input. 
And we had a lot of subjects covered. As you can see, this job 
is a very broad portfolio, but we appreciate, as I said at the 
beginning, your willingness to serve and look forward to 
conversations with you on an ongoing basis.
    The record here will remain open for two weeks until March 
24, 2021. Any Senators who would like to submit questions for 
the record--Mr. Graves, so he can answer, should do so by March 
24. And we ask you to submit your response to those questions 
as quickly as possible in case--no later than 2 weeks after you 
have received them, because that helps us in our Committee 
process and our hearings. So unless there is any other business 
before the Committee, we are adjourned.
    [Whereupon, at 11:44 a.m., the hearing was adjourned.]

                            A P P E N D I X

   Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Amy Klobuchar to 
                               Don Graves
    Economic Steel Dumping. Iron ore mining has been a way of life for 
families in northern Minnesota, but illegal practices such as steel 
dumping unfairly harm our workers. Our workers deserve to know everyone 
is playing by the same rules, and I have long called for tough actions 
to address Chinese steel dumping.

    Question 1. How do you plan to collaborate with the United States 
Trade Representative to enforce fair trade practices, especially with 
regard to steel dumping?
    Answer. The Biden Administration and the Department are committed 
to strong enforcement of U.S. trade remedy laws, including with respect 
to unfairly traded steel imports from China and other trading partners. 
If confirmed, I will work with Commerce staff and, when appropriate, 
the Office of the United States Trade Representative, to expeditiously 
address non-compliance matters and refer for dispute settlement as 
needed.

    Broadband. As co-chair of the Senate Broadband Caucus, I lead 
broadband infrastructure legislation with House Majority Whip Clyburn--
the Accessible, Affordable, Internet for All Act. Our legislation 
authorizes major investment in broadband infrastructure to help close 
the digital divide.

    Question 2. What are your plans to help expand broadband access as 
the Deputy Secretary of Commerce?
    Answer. The Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications 
and Information Administration (NTIA) has three new programs: 1) the $1 
billion Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program; 2) the $300 million 
Broadband Infrastructure Program; and 3) the $285 million Connecting 
Minority Communities Program. These programs will play a vital role in 
bringing broadband to tribal lands, along with other unserved areas of 
the country, and the Connecting Minority Communities Program will be 
focused on connecting underserved communities through Historically 
Black Colleges and Universities and other Minority-Serving 
Institutions. If confirmed, I look forward to assisting in ensuring 
these programs are implemented effectively and efficiently.
    And of course, as you know the President's Jobs Plan proposes an up 
to $100 billion investment to bring affordable, reliable, high-speed 
broadband to every American. Broadband Internet is the new electricity. 
It is necessary for Americans to do their jobs, to participate equally 
in school learning, health care, and to stay connected. I'm excited to 
work with Congress to pass the Jobs Plan so that we can finally close 
the digital divide.

    Question 3. What are your plans to promote digital equity and 
inclusion, and will you work with me to help address this need?
    Answer. I have spent my career working on equity and inclusion 
issues so if confirmed, I look forward to working with you to address 
this important need. I will also work to ensure that NTIA leverages its 
knowledge and best practices to promote digital equity and inclusion. 
The President's Jobs Plan also commits to addressing not only lack of 
broadband infrastructure, but also to tackling the digital divide--to 
addressing the adoption and affordability problem.
                                 ______
                                 
    Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Brian Schatz to 
                               Don Graves
    Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. The expansion of the 
establishment and expansion of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National 
Monument (PMNM) marks an extremely consequential development in the 
U.S. conservation portfolio because it obligates the United States to a 
course of environmental stewardship, scientific exploration and 
research, and cultural/historical preservation. The National Marine 
Sanctuary Foundation (Foundation) has presented a spectrum of funding 
priorities in its letter to Secretary Raimondo dated February 16, 2021, 
and to the Biden Administration, dated March 2, 2021. Letters attached 
for reference. These letters describe the resources needed to support 
not only the PMNM, but the entire network of marine national monuments 
and national marine sanctuaries.

    Question 1. Do you support the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National 
Monument? Why or why not?
    Answer. I support Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, which 
has a long history of bipartisan support and Presidential protection by 
both Democratic and Republican Administrations. The monument 
encompasses coral islands, seamounts, banks, and shoals that are both 
ecologically significant for their extraordinary biodiversity and of 
great cultural and spiritual importance to Native Hawaiians. If 
confirmed, I look forward to working with you and Congress to conserve 
such special places.

    Papahanaumokuakea Sanctuary Designation. In recognition of the 
importance of the site, the Congress included language in the Joint 
Explanatory Statement of the Managers to the FY21 omnibus 
appropriations legislation that directed the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to commence the Sanctuary designation 
process for the PMNM: Papahanaumokuakea Sanctuary Designation.--NOAA is 
directed to initiate the process under the National Marine Sanctuaries 
Act (16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.) to designate the Papahanaumokuakea Marine 
National Monument as a National Marine Sanctuary to supplement and 
complement, rather than supplant, existing authorities. NOAA shall 
provide the Committees an update on this designation before the end of 
Fiscal Year 2021.

    Question 2. May I have your commitment to work with me on NOAA's 
efforts to implement this language?
    Answer. Yes. If confirmed, I will support NOAA's initiation of the 
process to designate Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument as a 
National Marine Sanctuary, and ensure NOAA provides an update by the 
end of this Fiscal Year.

    NOAA Budget Support. In order to fulfill the stewardship 
responsibilities for the PMNM, and to implement the Congress's mandate 
on sanctuary designation, NOAA will need significant resources, such as 
those described in the Foundation's letters to the President and 
Secretary Raimondo.

    Question 3. May I have your commitment to work with the Congress 
and external partners to ensure strong support for both marine national 
monuments and national marine sanctuaries in the budget and 
appropriations process for FY22?
    Answer. If confirmed, I commit to working with Congress and 
stakeholders to determine appropriate resources for marine national 
monuments and national marine sanctuaries that are managed or co-
managed by NOAA.
                                 ______
                                 
    Response to Written Question Submitted by Hon. Tammy Baldwin to 
                               Don Graves
    Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG). Mr. Graves, I have 
question with respect to the growing emphasis on environmental, social 
and governance (ESG) performance by our Nation's businesses. Over the 
last several years I have been working closely with several entities in 
Wisconsin including The Water Council, Marquette University and 
Wisconsin Center for Manufacturing & Productivity to support their 
expanding national leadership with respect to water technology, 
sustainability, and sustainable finance.

    Question. With the President's emphasis on strengthening American 
manufacturing, addressing climate change and attention to ESG, can I 
get your commitment to work with me and our Wisconsin entities to 
improve the resilience of U.S. supply chains and business 
competitiveness with respect to ESG?
    Answer. If confirmed, I will work with NIST and encourage continued 
support of the efforts of the Wisconsin MEP Center, WCMP, and the NIST 
MEP National Network on initiatives like this in Wisconsin and other 
states to build resilient U.S.-based supply chains that contribute to 
business competitiveness.
                                 ______
                                 
    Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Jacky Rosen to 
                               Don Graves
    Manufacturing. Manufacturing has always been an important part of 
the American economy and while some of the products we used to make now 
are produced oversees, America still leads the way in producing 
semiconductors, the microelectronics that serve as the brains for 
everything from PCs, to phones, to modern medical devices. These tiny 
instruments are the keystone upon which the entire digital economy is 
built. They have applications for civilian and defense purposes and it 
is critical that we continue to lead the world in chip manufacturing. 
But American firms are at a disadvantage vis-a-vis foreign firms since 
foreign governments provide so many incentives to their companies that 
a Boston Consulting Group study found that it's almost 30 percent more 
expensive for a company to build a fab in the United States than it is 
overseas.
    Last year, Congress passed landmark legislation aimed at 
strengthening the American semiconductor industry. The CHIPS Act is 
critical to America since it will help our Nation continue to lead the 
way in semiconductor manufacturing. The Department of Commerce is 
responsible for the act's main grant programs. While the bill is silent 
as to which bureau will lead the grant program, it would make sense to 
me that it would be led out of NIST, since NIST leads advanced 
manufacturing efforts within the Department and across the government.

    Question 1. Mr. Graves, as Deputy Secretary of Commerce you will be 
the Chief Operating Officer of the Department. What steps will you take 
to ensure the bill is implemented properly?
    Answer. Successful implementation of the CHIPS Act will be one of 
the highest priorities for me if I am confirmed. I believe the 
implementation of this legislation is critical to regain U.S. 
semiconductor technology and R&D leadership, increase market share in 
bleeding-edge logic fabrication, and maintain market share in overall 
fabrication capacity including older-generation logic and memory chips.
    It is my understanding that the Department has actively been 
engaging with its bureaus to implement the CHIPS Act. If confirmed, I 
will seek briefings to ensure I am quickly brought up to speed on the 
Department's progress to implement the Act, and I look forward to 
working with our bureaus, including NIST, to ensure that the grant 
program is administered appropriately.

    National Weather Service. There are over 400 vacant positions in 
the National Weather Service (NWS), many of which are characterized as 
emergency-essential employees.

    Question 2. What is your understanding or the reason why the NWS 
hasn't backfilled these vacancies and will you make doing so a 
priority?
    Answer. The National Weather Service should be gold standard for 
weather prediction worldwide. We have some of the best scientists in 
the world in NOAA and the National Weather Service.
    The increase in extreme weather events only highlights the 
importance of having a first-rate weather prediction service. Protects 
lives, businesses, property with timely provision of reliable data. As 
a result, it is important to fill vacancies as expeditiously as 
possible.
    However, it is my understanding that while NOAA's National Weather 
Service has had a history of staffing difficulties, these issues have 
been largely addressed.
    If confirmed, I will work to ensure that NOAA, and all of bureaus 
at the Department of Commerce, execute their budget and staffing in 
accordance with Congressional funding and direction.
                                 ______
                                 
   Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Kyrsten Sinema to 
                               Don Graves
    Semiconductor Manufacturing Grants. Semiconductors play a crucial 
role in our economic and national security. The 2021 defense 
authorization law included important provisions to incentivize domestic 
semiconductor manufacturing and reverse the decline in American 
semiconductor manufacturing jobs. I am committed to working with my 
colleagues in the Congress to fund the CHIPS for America Act grants.

    Question 1. Will you commit to depoliticize the grant process and 
to establish a procedure that reviews applications and distributes 
grants based on the benefits to domestic semiconductor manufacturing 
and not based on politics or the location of the project?
    Answer. If confirmed, I am committed to running a process that 
adheres to the requirements outlined in the Fiscal Year 2021 National 
Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and that is oriented at ensuring that 
the U.S. is able to regain semiconductor technology and R&D leadership, 
increase market share in leading-edge logic fabrication, and maintain 
market share in overall fabrication capacity.

    Semiconductor Research. In addition to the grants to expand 
domestic manufacturing of semiconductors, the 2021 National Defense 
Authorization Act calls on the Department to establish a National 
Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC). The NSTC is intended to conduct 
research, development and prototyping to maintain U.S. leadership in 
this critical technology.

    Question 2. What role do you envision your Department playing in 
funding research in critical technologies, such as semiconductors?
    Answer. The Department of Commerce plays a critical role in 
advancing R&D for the manufacture and production of next generation 
semiconductor technologies. If confirmed, I will encourage Commerce to 
work across the government to create opportunities for advanced 
manufacturing, design and packaging research, and prototyping and 
workforce training to develop the next generation of engineers and 
technicians.

    Broadband Interagency Coordination. The National Telecommunications 
and Information Administration (NTIA) can play a major role in 
expanding broadband throughout Arizona. In addition to the programs to 
designed to expand access into rural and tribal areas of Arizona, the 
COVID relief bill also sets up a one-stop shop at NTIA to coordinate 
broadband development opportunities across the executive branch.

    Question 3. Will you commit to quickly establish that office and 
help state and local governments identify all the opportunities for 
Federal assistance for broadband deployment?
    Answer. I strongly agree that NTIA can play a major role in 
expanding broadband throughout Arizona, and the establishment of better 
interagency coordination. If confirmed, I commit to working to quickly 
to improve coordination that program.

    Cross Border Trade. Cross border trade is an economic driver of 
Arizona's economy. A University of Arizona study shows that Mexican 
tomato imports support 33,000 U.S. jobs. Agribusiness supply chains 
derived from these imported tomatoes account for nearly $3 billion in 
U.S. gross domestic product.
    With trade agreements in place, such as USMCA, the North America 
supply chain provides consumers with the opportunity for choice and 
affordable produce while supporting our domestic growers. USTR has 
recently initiated a number of trade investigations having to do with 
imported produce, specifically related to seasonality concerns. These 
investigations destabilize the supply chain and open the door to 
potential damaging retaliations from our trade partners. That's why I 
joined with Senator Moran and other members of Congress to send a 
letter to USTR, urging them to consider the potential impacts when 
making these decisions.

    Question 4. In your opinion, how do we continue to foster a strong 
trade supply chain while not disrupting the USMCA and ensuring our 
domestic growers are supported and consumers are given affordable 
choices throughout the year?
    Answer. The Department will continue to use the tools available to 
help ensure that domestic producers/farmers of seasonable and 
perishable goods are competing on a level playing field. If confirmed, 
I can assure you that those tools will be applied in a fair and 
transparent matter, in line with U.S. law.

    Commercial Space. The commercial space industry is growing at an 
incredible speed--creating jobs, innovating, and fostering public-
private partnerships across the country. Yuma, Arizona is currently 
going through the process to establish a spaceport that would have the 
ability to launch mini and nano satellites. If the spaceport moves 
forward, it will grow Yuma's economy and help the United States remain 
a leader in space.

    Question 5. As the commercial space economy expands and more 
technology is sent into space, how will you work with entities to 
ensure the National Airspace System is able to support additional 
launch and reentry points as well as increased traffic?
    Answer. I understand the importance in providing space situational 
awareness and traffic management to ensure safe and productive 
development in the space economy. If confirmed, I look forward to 
working with NOAA, other Federal agencies, and Congress on this 
important topic.

    Space Traffic Management. Given the exponential growth in numbers 
of satellites and the increasing amount of debris in orbit, the Office 
of Space Commerce is charged with protecting the space-based services 
that are critical to our Nation's infrastructure, sustaining U.S. space 
sector leadership globally, and international space cooperation. Last 
year Congress provided increased funding for the Office of Space 
Commerce and direction to initiate a Space Traffic Management (STM) 
pilot program in collaboration with industry.

    Question 6. What are your thoughts on the importance of Space 
Traffic Management?
    Answer. Successful and collaborative space traffic management will 
be essential if the U.S. and the world are to realize the potential 
benefits of a healthy and growing space economy. If confirmed, I look 
forward to working with NOAA, other Federal agencies, and the Congress 
on this important topic.

    Privacy Shield. In July of 2020, the European Court of Justice 
struck down the Privacy Shield program, invalidating a critical 
mechanism for transferring personal data to the United States from the 
European Union. This has raised significant concerns about the 
continued viability of trans-Atlantic data flows, which are estimated 
to generate more than $7 trillion in economic activity.

    Question 7. As Deputy Secretary of Commerce, will you support and 
prioritize the on-going negotiations to replace the Privacy Shield 
program with the goal of ensuring the continued viability of trans-
Atlantic data flows?
    Answer. Negotiating an enhanced Privacy Shield and restoring 
stability to trans-Atlantic data flows is a top priority for me if I am 
confirmed to be the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Commerce.

    Bioscience and IP Rights. In Arizona, our bioscience and biotech 
industries fuel new jobs, and delivering life-changing innovations. 
We've worked hard in Arizona to leverage smart public sector 
investments to attract next generation start-ups, as well as global 
companies looking to build out manufacturing and research facilities. 
Arizona inventors have been awarded more than 2,000 bioscience-related 
patents since 2016. Never have the benefits of strong IP been as 
relevant as they are today We have seen how pharmaceutical researchers 
have worked so quickly to develop COVID vaccines and therapeutics, and 
the importance of going after stolen IP and fraudulent medical 
products.

    Question 8. In order to continue driving discovery and to maintain 
the global competitiveness of American and Arizonan companies, how will 
the Commerce Department use trade enforcement tools to create a level 
playing field and protect millions of American jobs?
    Answer. If confirmed, I will support Secretary Raimondo's 
commitment to leverage the Department's extensive expertise and 
resources, including the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the 
International Trade Administration, to promote the protection and 
enforcement of Intellectual Property (IP) rights around the world by 
providing training and technical advice to foreign trading partners. 
This includes continued outreach and assistance to U.S. IP owners, 
including small businesses, in the protection and licensing of their 
patented inventions and copyrighted works, including through our 
network of Intellectual Property Attaches in embassies, consulates, and 
missions around the world.
                                 ______
                                 
  Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Raphael Warnock to 
                               Don Graves
    FCC. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted existing inequalities 
families and communities have faced for too long. One issue in 
particular pertains to broadband as we have seen our children struggle 
with significant learning loss due to remote learning. In Georgia, 1 in 
5 rural Georgians are without high-speed Internet access. Thankfully, 
before I arrived in the Senate, $3 billion in broadband subsidies were 
included in the December 2020 package to help Americans afford Internet 
access. Then, the American Rescue Plan Act, which was passed and signed 
into law with my support, included over $7 billion in E-Rate funds for 
schools and libraries.

    Question 1. How will you support the Federal Communications 
Commission to ensure these funds are distributed as quickly and 
efficiently as possible?
    Answer. Coordination among Federal agencies is critical to 
addressing your concerns about the loss of learning and additional 
difficulties families and children in particular have faced in dealing 
with the COVID-19 pandemic. If confirmed, I commit to leveraging 
resources of the Department to address the issues associated with 
connecting Americans to affordable Internet access for learning and 
earning, as well as coordinating with the Federal Communications 
Commission (FCC), the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and other Federal 
departments and agencies to close the digital divide in our country.

    MBDA. I would be remiss to not also mention the many businesses 
that have shuttered because of the pandemic. My father was a small 
businessman who worked tirelessly to support me and my siblings. 
Because of him, I'm particularly interested in the Minority Business 
Development Agency (MBDA) and its work to promote private and public 
sector investments in minority businesses. The Atlanta business and 
advanced manufacturing MBDA centers are housed at Georgia Tech and have 
helped thousands of entrepreneurs and manufacturers.

    Question 2. Given your family's entrepreneurial spirit, do you have 
a vision for what that agency can accomplish not just in response to 
COVID but broadly?
    Answer. My vision for the Minority Business Development Agency 
(MBDA) is to expand its reach and impact on underserved communities. 
There are more than 9.2 million minority business enterprises but only 
2 percent have more than one employee. This is lost opportunity for our 
Nation's economy. MBDA is uniquely qualified to lead the Federal 
government's efforts to equip and empower the Nation's minority 
business enterprises (MBEs) for the domestic and global economies. The 
Agency has worked with the minority business community for over 50 
years and has the expertise, nationwide presence, and strategic 
partners to ensure that taxpayer investments produce sustainable 
outcomes for the minority business community.
    MBDA promotes the growth of minority business enterprises through 
the mobilization of public and private sector partnerships, programs, 
policy, and research. If confirmed, I will work to ensure MBDA can 
accomplish its goals and maximize the resiliency and success of MBE 
firms.

    Question 3. Also, how do you feel about codifying the MBDA as a 
permanent agency to ensure long-term, consistent impact? How can 
Congress be of assistance to support those goals?
    Answer. The establishment of statutory authority for MBDA would 
elevate the importance of racial equity within our Nation's business 
community. It would go a long way towards demonstrating community 
investment and engagement in making our economy more inclusive.

    NOAA. Climate change has increased the severity and variability of 
natural disasters that impact Georgia and other Southern states. In 
2019, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 
awarded a contract to Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation located in my 
hometown of Savannah for the purchase of a new Gulfstream G550. This 
``Hurricane Hunter'' aircraft is important to improve weather service 
reliability and capabilities. An administration that supports 
scientific integrity is paramount, and incidents like ``Sharpiegate'' 
are unacceptable and mislead the public about the potential impacts of 
harmful natural disasters. It is important to me that my constituents 
are getting accurate and timely weather information and that NOAA has 
the resources to do so.

    Question 4. How will you work to ensure NOAA's scientific policies 
are enforced and Georgians are more prepared for the impacts on natural 
disasters and climate change?
    Answer. On January 27, 2021, President Biden issued the 
Presidential Memorandum on Restoring Trust in Government Through 
Scientific Integrity and Evidence-Based Policymaking, which requires 
scientific agencies to coordinate with a new Scientific Integrity Task 
Force to ensure, among other things, that their scientific integrity 
policies are consistent with scientific principles. It is my 
understanding that NOAA already has one of the strongest Scientific 
Integrity policies in government--we simply must work to ensure it is 
followed and enforced. If confirmed, I will ensure that NOAA and the 
Department conduct reviews to determine what additional steps are 
needed to be in full compliance with the President's Executive Order, 
including by implementing a robust scientific integrity policy at the 
Department to improve trust and accountability.
    Tackling climate change is a priority for the Biden Administration. 
On January 27, 2021, President Biden released the Executive Order on 
Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad. If confirmed, I will 
work through the expertise in bureaus like NOAA to help Georgians and 
all Americans be more prepared in the face of natural disasters and 
climate change.
                                 ______
                                 
    Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Roger Wicker to 
                               Don Graves
    Question 1. Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Travel and 
Tourism Industry
    The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated the travel and tourism 
industry, resulting in hundreds of billions of dollars and millions of 
jobs lost. Many are concerned that travel and tourism will be one of 
the last sectors of the economy to recover fully. The Department of 
Commerce has a number of tools at its disposal, including the National 
Travel and Tourism Office, to support the travel and tourism industry. 
What do you believe is the proper role of the Department of Commerce in 
supporting travel and tourism in the United States, and, if confirmed, 
how will you work to get the travel and tourism industry back up and 
running as we come out of the pandemic? Do you believe the National 
Travel and Tourism Strategy needs to be updated in light of the 
challenges the sector has faced in the past year, as well as looking 
forward?
    Answer. The travel and tourism industry has been disproportionally 
affected by the COVID-19 restrictions on travel that have been put in 
place to protect public health. The Department of Commerce plays a 
leading role with respect to this sector. If confirmed, I will work 
with the National Travel and Tourism Office and the Commercial Service 
(both in the International Trade Administration), the Economic 
Development Administration, and public health authorities to help the 
industry recover.
    The Secretary of Commerce chairs the Tourism Policy Council, an 
interagency council whose purpose is to coordinate policies and 
programs to support the sector. Secretary Raimondo has expressed her 
commitment to actively supporting the recovery of travel and tourism 
and, if confirmed, I will support her in those efforts.

    Question 2. Office of Space Commerce/Space Policy Directive-3/SPACE 
Act
    Today, the services offered by over 2,000 active satellites 
underpin much of our modern economy--such as communications, weather 
prediction, and GPS. But those satellites, as well as astronauts aboard 
the International Space Station, are threatened by hundreds of 
thousands of pieces of ``junk'' or space debris. In June of 2018, the 
National Space Council announced Space Policy Directive 3, which 
designated the Department of Commerce as the lead civil agency for 
space situational awareness and notification of satellite operators of 
potential conjunctions or collisions. Last year, Senator Cantwell and I 
introduced the SPACE Act to codify much of this directive. The Office 
of Space Commerce should be appropriately staffed and resourced to 
provide timely and accurate tracking and collision warning 
notifications to the growing number of commercial and international 
space operators.
    Do you agree that the Office of Space Commerce can play an 
important role in fostering American economic leadership and 
opportunities in space? Can you assure the committee that it will be 
appropriately prioritized and resourced?
    Answer. I understand that NOAA and the Office of Space Commerce 
(OSC) play a key role in working with the U.S. commercial space 
industry. If confirmed, I look forward to learning more about the OSC 
and to working with Congress to ensure that it is properly resourced 
and can serve this important function.

    Question 3. Senator Cantwell and I plan to reintroduce the SPACE 
Act soon. Will you review that legislation and work with us to protect 
the space environment?
    Answer. I understand the importance of providing space situational 
awareness and traffic management to ensure safe and productive 
development in the space economy. If confirmed, I look forward to 
working with you to discuss legislation in this important area, 
including by communicating the Department's recommendations on areas of 
mutual interest and concern.

    Question 4. Cybersecurity and SolarWinds Cyberattack
    As highlighted by the recently disclosed SolarWinds nation-state 
cyberattack, improving our Nation's cybersecurity requires working 
closely with industry to develop and adopt best cybersecurity 
practices. We can start to address some of our cybersecurity challenges 
with swift implementation of the HACKED Act, focused on enhancing the 
National Institute of Standards and Technology's role in advancing the 
cybersecurity workforce and the CYBER LEAP Act, which directs the 
Department to carry out competitions to tackle cybersecurity 
challenges. I sponsored both pieces of legislation and am proud they 
were included in the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization 
Act. Going forward, it is important to take into account the good work 
that the Department of Commerce has undertaken on these issues as the 
Executive Branch develops its cybersecurity strategy for all Federal 
agencies. How would you advance the Department of Commerce's role in 
strengthening our Nation's cybersecurity?
    Answer. Strong and effective cybersecurity measures are needed to 
ensure that the private and public sector can rely on robust and 
trustworthy systems, and an expansion and transformation of our 
Nation's workforce is needed to address current and projected severe 
shortages of cybersecurity-savvy workers.
    If confirmed, I would support NIST's role in developing 
cybersecurity and privacy standards, guidelines, best practices, and 
other resources to meet the needs of U.S. industry, Federal agencies, 
and the broader public essential to economic security and growth.

    Question 5. Semiconductor Shortage
    The global semiconductor shortage highlights the fragility of our 
Nation's supply chains. Many manufacturers, including automotive, 
trucking, and power tool manufacturers in Mississippi and across the 
country, are facing setbacks due to the chip shortage. There may be 
near-term steps the Administration can take to address this shortage, 
but in the recent defense authorization bill, Congress also directed 
the Department of Commerce to incentivize longer-term investment in 
semiconductor fabrication, assembly, and research and development in 
the United States. What can the Department of Commerce do in the near 
and long-term to address the semiconductor shortage?
    Answer. The Department of Commerce plays a key role in facilitating 
discussions with industry regarding the impact of the semiconductor 
chip shortage on the U.S. automotive manufacturing industry, as well as 
other key economic sectors. As you indicate, the NDAA, passed with 
overwhelming bi-partisan support, authorized a fund at Commerce to make 
the long-term investments we need to remain competitive in the 
semiconductor industry and shore up a supply chain critical to national 
and economic security. If confirmed, I will work to ensure that the 
Department works closely with the White House and Congress on plans for 
implementing a plan to address the semiconductor shortage.
                                 ______
                                 
      Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Ted Cruz to 
                               Don Graves
    Question 1. Entity List
    The Bureau of Industry and Security's Entity List is a valuable 
tool of the Federal government to punish companies and nations that 
undermine the U.S.' economic and national security interests. I asked 
now-Secretary Raimondo about the Entity List extensively and she 
refused to provide specific answers on whether specific companies would 
remain on the list.
    The Chinese government is currently engaged in an ongoing systemic 
genocide against Muslim Uighurs in Xinjiang, China. In recent years the 
United States has successfully utilized non-sanctions economic pressure 
to prevent the People's Republic of China from exploiting American 
technology and innovation to conduct human rights abuses and other 
malign activities. This is an area the prior administration was 
particularly active in.

   What role should the Department of Commerce play in 
        combating Chinese economic espionage and utilizing the full 
        extent of the Entity List to protect American companies?

    Answer. It is my understanding that the U.S. government has 
utilized tools, like the Entity List, to prohibit U.S. exports that 
could be used to further the Uighurs' repression amidst ongoing 
systemic genocide.
    If confirmed, I will support Secretary Raimondo's review of how the 
Bureau of Industry and Security's (BIS) authorities can continue to be 
leveraged to promote the protection of human rights, as Congress 
directed in the Export Control Reform Act (ECRA), including through 
review of license applications for human rights concerns and additions 
to the Entity List in connection with human rights abuses. I will also 
support Secretary Raimondo's efforts to ensure any proposed additions 
or removals from the Entity List comply with the policies and 
procedures of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).
    Finally, if confirmed, I will support the Secretary's efforts to 
encourage the use of the Entity List, the Military End User List, and 
other appropriate tools within the scope of Commerce authorities to 
protect U.S. national security and foreign policy interests.

    Question 2. In 2019 I led an effort to add to the Entities List 
companies that the Chinese Communist Party uses to conduct their 
surveillance campaigns of the Uighurs in Xinjiang and other nefarious 
activities, and even introduced legislation mandating that some of 
those companies be listed, the TIANAMEN Act. In the fall of 2019 and in 
2020, the Trump administration did so, adding batches of Chinese 
technology companies to the Entities List.
    I remain very concerned about the Biden administration's coziness 
with China. In answers for the record provided after her nominations 
hearing, Secretary Raimondo declined again to commit to keeping Chinese 
technology companies hostile to American democratic values on the 
Entities List.

   Do you believe Chinese tech companies like Huawei and ZTE 
        should remain on the Entities List? If you disagree, why?

   What is the risk to American companies if Chinese companies 
        are allowed access to the U.S. telecom network?

    Answer. Telecommunications equipment made by untrusted vendors like 
Huawei is a threat to the security of the United States and our allies. 
I understand that parties are placed on the Entity List and the 
Military End User List generally because they pose a risk to U.S. 
national security or foreign policy interests. I currently have no 
reason to believe that entities on those lists should not be there.
    If confirmed, I look forward to a briefing on these entities and 
others of concern. Furthermore, if confirmed, I will support the 
Secretary's efforts to encourage the use of the Entity List, the 
Military End User List, and other appropriate tools within the scope of 
Commerce authorities to protect U.S. national security and foreign 
policy interests.

    Question 3. 2020 DNC Platform Committee
    One of the core missions of the Department of Commerce is to 
promote economic growth and the free flow of commerce.

   Would you agree or disagree with that statement? If you 
        disagree, please explain the core mission of the Department of 
        Commerce.

    Answer. I agree that the Department of Commerce is an instrumental 
entity in promoting economic growth and the free flow of commerce. If 
confirmed, I am committed to furthering the Department's role in this 
regard.
    The work of the 2020 DNC Platform Committee does not relate 
specifically to the duties and responsibilities of the role for which I 
have been nominated. While the 15-person platform committee's work 
spanned a cross-section of issues, my role as a member of the committee 
was primarily to help manage the process for the platform's 
development.
    The Deputy Secretary of Commerce's role is, by statute, to serve as 
the Chief Operating Officer for the Department, which includes but is 
not limited to the day-to-day management of the Department's bureaus. 
The role requires the incumbent to serve as the principal deputy to the 
Secretary in all matters affecting the Department and perform the 
continuing and special duties as the Secretary may assign from time to 
time. If confirmed, I am committed to carrying out these 
responsibilities and supporting the important work of the Department.

    Question 4. You served as a member of the Platform Drafting 
Committee for the Democratic National Convention last summer. That 
platform endorsed following California's example and pursuing extreme 
executive actions like emissions standards, ``[accelerating the 
adoption of zero-emission vehicles,'' and eliminating plastic waste and 
food waste (pg. 52).
    The platform also says ``we will immediately convene California and 
other states with labor, auto industry and environmental leaders to 
inform ambitious executive actions. . .'' (pg. 52). California is one 
of the most out-of-touch and liberal states in the country. For 
example, last year, Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order 
banning the sale of combustion-engine vehicles in 2035.

   Was it your personal opinion while you served on the 
        Committee that California is a role model for executive 
        actions?

   Should the United States ban internal-combustion vehicles?

   If you answered yes, when should such a ban go into effect?

   If you answered yes, what would this do to affect road-based 
        travel?

   If you answered yes, how would travelers refuel to complete 
        their journey?

   If you answered yes, what would be the cost to retrofit 
        homes and businesses to recharge EVs, and who would bear those 
        costs?

   If you answered yes, has the Federal government considered 
        the environmental harm associated with mining metals necessary 
        for EV batteries? What about the ethical concerns relating to 
        the slave and child labor in parts of the supply chains for 
        many EVs?

    Answer. As a general matter, the work of the 2020 DNC Platform 
Committee did not relate specifically to the duties and 
responsibilities of the role for which I have been nominated. While the 
15-person platform committee's work spanned a cross-section of issues, 
my role, as a member of the committee, was primarily to help manage the 
process for the platform's development, rather than its content.
    The Deputy Secretary of Commerce's role is, by statute, to serve as 
the Chief Operating Officer for the Department, which includes but is 
not limited to the day-to-day management of the Department's bureaus. 
The Deputy Secretary additionally serves as the principal deputy to the 
Secretary in all matters affecting the Department and performs any 
continuing and special duties as the Secretary may assign from time to 
time. If confirmed, I am committed to carrying out these 
responsibilities and supporting the important work of the Department.

    Question 5. The platform, and the Committee that you sat on, called 
President Trump's national emergency on the border ``fabricated.''

   Was it your personal position while you served on the 
        Committee that the national emergency on the border was 
        ``fabricated''?

   If not, did you disagree with the DNC position that the 
        border crisis is fabricated while you served as a committee 
        member?

   Is it your position now, that the situation we are 
        witnessing at the border today is neither a crisis and/or that 
        it is fabricated?

    Answer. As a general matter, the work of the 2020 DNC Platform 
Committee did not relate specifically to the duties and 
responsibilities of the role for which I have been nominated. While the 
15-person platform committee's work spanned a cross-section of issues, 
my role, as a member of the committee, was primarily to help manage the 
process for the platform's development, rather than its content.
    The Deputy Secretary of Commerce's role is, by statute, to serve as 
the Chief Operating Officer for the Department, which includes but is 
not limited to the day-to-day management of the Department's bureaus. 
The Deputy Secretary additionally serves as the principal deputy to the 
Secretary in all matters affecting the Department and performs any 
continuing and special duties as the Secretary may assign from time to 
time. If confirmed, I am committed to carrying out these 
responsibilities and supporting the important work of the Department.

    Question 6. The platform says ``Democrats believe we need to 
overhaul the criminal justice system from top to bottom. . .'' and 
calls for investment in ``education, jobs, healthcare, and housing'' 
instead of ``overpolicing.'' (pg. 35).

   The platform also calls for ``reimagining public safety.'' 
        What does ``reimagining public safety'' mean?

   Do you agree with the statement ``we need to overhaul the 
        criminal justice system from top to bottom''? If so, why? If 
        not, why not?

   How would you define ``defund the police''?

   Do you support defunding the police?

   Did you support the riots perpetuated by Antifa in the name 
        of the ``Defund the Police'' movement that occurred the summer 
        of 2020? Why or why not?

   Many Democratic politicians endorsed donating to bail funds 
        to help rioters get out of jail, including then-Senator and now 
        Vice President Harris. In fact, the bail fund pushed by then-
        Senator Harris ended up bailing out not just rioters, but 
        alleged murderers, attempted murderers, and a twice convicted 
        rapist.\1\ Did you donate to any bail relief funds this summer? 
        If so, please disclose the recipient(s) of your donation(s) and 
        the amount(s).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \1\ https://www.fox9.com/news/minnesota-nonprofit-with-35m-bails-
out-those-accused-of-violent-crimes

    Answer. As a general matter, the work of the 2020 DNC Platform 
Committee did not relate specifically to the duties and 
responsibilities of the role for which I have been nominated. While the 
15-person platform committee's work spanned a cross-section of issues, 
my role, as a member of the committee, was primarily to help manage the 
process for the platform's development, rather than its content.
    The Deputy Secretary of Commerce's role is, by statute, to serve as 
the Chief Operating Officer for the Department, which includes but is 
not limited to the day-to-day management of the Department's bureaus. 
The Deputy Secretary additionally serves as the principal deputy to the 
Secretary in all matters affecting the Department and performs any 
continuing and special duties as the Secretary may assign from time to 
time. If confirmed, I am committed to carrying out these 
responsibilities and supporting the important work of the Department.

    Question 7. The platform says ``democrats will decriminalize 
marijuana use. . .'' (pg. 37).

   Do you support this position?

   What other illegal drugs do you support making legal by 
        executive action?

    Answer. As a general matter, the work of the 2020 DNC Platform 
Committee did not relate specifically to the duties and 
responsibilities of the role for which I have been nominated. While the 
15-person platform committee's work spanned a cross-section of issues, 
my role, as a member of the committee, was primarily to help manage the 
process for the platform's development, rather than its content.
    The Deputy Secretary of Commerce's role is, by statute, to serve as 
the Chief Operating Officer for the Department, which includes but is 
not limited to the day-to-day management of the Department's bureaus. 
The Deputy Secretary additionally serves as the principal deputy to the 
Secretary in all matters affecting the Department and performs any 
continuing and special duties as the Secretary may assign from time to 
time. If confirmed, I am committed to carrying out these 
responsibilities and supporting the important work of the Department.

    Question 8. Spectrum

    The Department of Commerce's Office of Spectrum Management and NTIA 
manage the Federal government's use of radio spectrum, an extremely 
valuable commodity that is in high demand.

   What is your philosophy regarding government-held spectrum 
        and how do you plan to make more available for commercial use?

   How would you approach agency disagreements about spectrum 
        allocation?

    Answer. The National Telecommunications and Information 
Administration (NTIA) is the President's principal advisor on 
telecommunications and information policy matters including spectrum. 
NTIA has been successful over the past three decades in balancing the 
spectrum requirements of Federal government agencies with the need to 
provide more spectrum resources for commercial network deployments.
    If confirmed, I will continue to rely on NTIA as I work closely 
with the White House, other Federal agencies, the Federal 
Communications Commission, the commercial sector, and other 
stakeholders to understand requirements and find win-win solutions for 
government and industry.
    In terms of agency disagreements over spectrum allocations, if 
confirmed, I will ensure that our longstanding interagency spectrum 
coordination processes are working at their full potential, and that we 
expedite and resolve any disputes through this process.

    Question 9. One issue I have been continually concerned about is 
the nationalization of 5G. My concerns stem from the fact that this 
idea has yet to die. High profile individuals such as former Google 
CEO, Eric Schmidt, had high level meetings with the Trump 
administration in an effort to try and revive the push to nationalize 
5G. Schmidt continues to enjoy access to senior government officials in 
the Biden administration. Late last year the Department of Defense 
issued a Request for Information on spectrum sharing, inquiring about 
the ``potential issues with DoD owning and operating independent 
networks for its 5G operations.''
    To combat this initiative, last Congress I reintroduced the E-
FRONTIER Act with Senator Cortez-Masto--a bill which enjoys broad, 
bipartisan support--to explicitly prohibit the nationalization of 5G. 
That bill was unanimously passed out of this Committee shortly 
thereafter, was reported to the full Senate, and but for the hold of 
one Senator, would have passed unanimously out of the Senate. Bottom 
line is, stakeholders and members of Congress agree that the United 
States does not need to behave like China in order to beat China in the 
race to 5G.

   Do you support the principles of the E-FRONTIER Act and 
        would you support its passage and enactment into law, to 
        prohibit the nationalization of our commercial broadband 
        networks? If not, why?

   Do you believe it would it be a bad idea for the Biden 
        administration to move forward with plans to nationalize 5G?

    Answer. If confirmed, I would be happy to examine legislation and 
legislative proposals on this issue and work with the Department to 
provide technical assistance on this issue.
    However, I personally do not support the nationalization of 
commercial broadband networks.

    Question 10. Duplicative Programs
    One issue I am particularly interested in is wasteful spending of 
taxpayer dollars through similar FCC, NTIA, and USDA broadband subsidy 
programs. Overbuilding undermines private competition and makes 
providers more reliant on Federal subsidies. In a recent Commerce 
Committee hearing on Federal broadband spending, several broadband 
experts were unable to fully quantify the amount of money the Federal 
government has spent on broadband programs since it began trying to 
connect all Americans.

   Are existing programs effective?

   What more can be done to promote targeted assistance to 
        rural and economically disadvantaged areas?

   How can this be achieved without throwing taxpayer dollars 
        to providers and projects that have received subsidies through 
        similar programs?

    Answer. Coordination among Federal agencies is a critical component 
of addressing duplicative programs. If confirmed, I look forward to 
reviewing programs within the Department of Commerce to find additional 
efficiencies.
    As you may know, I have spent much of my career working to assist 
rural and economically disadvantaged communities.
    If confirmed, I look forward to working with you on the matter of 
targeting assistance to communities across the country that need it 
most.

   Why does the United States lack a dominate communications 
        infrastructure supplier, and do you believe this is to the 
        national detriment?

   Does a software-based infrastructure give the United States 
        a competitive advantage if it proves to be viable?

    Answer. The United States is home to some of the world's leading 
technology firms, including telecommunications equipment and service 
providers. If confirmed, I will actively work to ensure that U.S. 
telecommunications companies are able to compete and win on a level 
playing field both domestically and globally.

    Question 11. How should the U.S. incentivize domestic production? 
Are tax incentives a viable option?
    Answer. If confirmed, I will work within the Administration to 
consider options to incentivize domestic production of 5G 
infrastructure. To this end, it is my understanding that the Department 
of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information 
Administration (NTIA) hosted two industry listening sessions focused on 
market incentives for 5G security and vendor diversity to hear feedback 
from industry on actions that the U.S. government can take to support 
these objectives. If confirmed, I look forward to working with 
industry, the White House, and Congress to review these proposals.

    Question 12. Trade enforcement

    Approximately 40 million jobs in the U.S., and over 3 million in 
Texas, depend on international trade. Given that, it is vital that the 
United States do all it can to ensure a level playing field for 
American businesses.

   What do you plan to do in your role to protect Americans 
        from unfair trade practices which put them at a disadvantage at 
        home and abroad?

    Answer. The Department of Commerce is committed to holding our 
trading partners accountable when they violate our laws and trade 
agreements. If confirmed, I will ensure that the Department continues 
to proactively monitor, identify, and resolve trade barriers and work 
with allies and likeminded trading partners to promote policies that 
support U.S. exports and encourage foreign investment into the United 
States.

    Question 13. The Trump Administration made a concerted effort to 
combat China's egregious trade violations.

   Will you commit to continuing that effort in protecting 
        American businesses from China's trade abuses, especially with 
        regard to intellectual property theft and the unfair use of 
        State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs)?

    Answer. If confirmed, I will work with Congress to protect U.S. 
intellectual property and to protect U.S. businesses and consumers 
against the unfair use of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs).

    Question 14. Obama Jobs Council

    In 2012, while you were executive director of the Jobs Council, the 
council issued dozens of recommendations intended to improve American 
competitiveness and strengthen the economy. In your nominations 
hearing, I asked you about the recommendations included in the year-end 
report and you declined to answer whether you agreed or disagreed with 
the recommendations when you were the executive director. You said ``. 
. . the Jobs Council's recommendations were their own . . . I agreed in 
part and disagreed in part.''

   Please explain the duties of your role as executive 
        director, and what role you had in the final recommendations.

   If you disagreed with the recommendations, did you regularly 
        disagree with recommendations and other policy decisions put 
        forward by the Obama administration? If so, please specify 
        which ones.

    Do you agree or disagree with the following initiatives from the 
Council's report?\2\ If you agree, please explain why. Similarly, if 
you do not agree, please explain why.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \2\ President's Council on Jobs and Competitiveness. Road Map to 
Renewal. 2011 Year-End Report.

   ``accelerating investment in infrastructure and energy'' 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        (pg. 6).

   ``Igniting entrepreneurship and increasing the number and 
        scale of small businesses and high-growth firms'' (pg. 6).

   ``Boosting job-creating inward investment into the Unites 
        States through a National Investment Initiative'' (pg. 6).

   ``Simplifying regulatory review and streamlining project 
        approvals'' (pg. 6).

   ``Ensuring that America has the talent to fill existing job 
        openings and boost future job creation'' (pg. 6).

    Answer. In 2012, I was proud to serve my country as the non-member 
executive director of President Obama's Council on Jobs and 
Competitiveness. The Jobs Council was created to provide non-partisan 
advice to the President on continuing to strengthen the Nation's 
economy and ensure the competitiveness of the United States and on ways 
to create jobs, opportunity, and prosperity for the American people.
    The Jobs Council was made up of members appointed by the President 
who were distinguished citizens outside the Federal government, 
including citizens chosen to serve as representatives of the various 
sectors of the economy to offer the diverse perspectives of the private 
sector, employers, and workers on how the Federal Government can best 
foster growth, competitiveness, innovation, and job creation.
    The recommendations made by the Jobs Council were offered by the 
citizens sitting on the panel. They were meant to represent the views 
of the members and did not necessarily represent my personal views. I 
would welcome a discussion in person with you about the reports.

    Question 15. The report states ``[skills gaps] start in primary and 
secondary school, where the United States trails its peers in academic 
achievement, scoring lower in math than 30 of the other 65 countries 
and lower in science than 22 of the countries that participated in PISA 
tests for 15-year-olds'' (pg. 6).

   Would you agree that school choice, which would allow 
        students to escape under-performing schools and receive a 
        quality education elsewhere, is important for closing the 
        academic achievement gap?

   What lessons should the Federal government learn from the 
        remote learning that millions of students experienced during 
        the pandemic?

    Answer. The recommendations made by the Jobs Council were offered 
by the citizens sitting on the panel. They were meant to represent the 
views of the members and did not necessarily represent my personal 
views. I would welcome a discussion in person with you about the 
reports.

    Question 16. In 2011, the statutory corporate tax rate was 39.2 
percent-``substantially higher than the average for other advanced 
nations'' (pg. 7). The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) lowered the 
statutory corporate tax rate to 26 percent in FY 2020.

   Did the lower statutory corporate tax rate that resulted 
        from the TCJA improve U.S. competitiveness?

   President Biden recently stated his tax plan will increase 
        the corporate tax rate to 28 percent. Would raising the 
        corporate tax rate from 21 percent to 28 percent damage U.S. 
        business competitiveness? \3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \3\ https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/18/politics/biden-tax-plan-
explainer/index.html

    Would a higher corporate tax rate slow onshoring of manufacturing 
jobs?
    Answer. The recommendations made by the Jobs Council were offered 
by the citizens sitting on the panel. They were meant to represent the 
views of the members and did not necessarily represent my personal 
views. I would welcome a discussion in person with you about the 
reports.

    Question 17. The report states ``the United States has a low-cost 
electricity advantage over many of its competitors due to our Nation's 
diverse sources of energy, including recent breakthroughs in shale 
gas'' (pg. 8).

   Do you agree breakthroughs in shale gas have improved both 
        the United States' energy competitiveness and brought about a 
        reduction in emissions as power plants have converted from coal 
        to natural gas?

   Would a leasing moratorium, of any kind on any source of 
        energy, undermine energy competitiveness?

    Answer. The recommendations made by the Jobs Council were offered 
by the citizens sitting on the panel. They were meant to represent the 
views of the members and did not necessarily represent my personal 
views. I would welcome a discussion in person with you about the 
reports.

    Question 18. The report also states ``in energy, we need an `all-
in' strategy that harnesses our natural resource advantage and our gift 
for innovation. . .'' (pg. 9).

   Do you agree with this statement? If so, why? If not, why 
        not?

   If confirmed, will you commit to continue to harness our 
        natural resource advantage?

    Answer. The recommendations made by the Jobs Council were offered 
by the citizens sitting on the panel. They were meant to represent the 
views of the members and did not necessarily represent my personal 
views. I would welcome a discussion in person with you about the 
reports.

    Question 19. The ``Play to Win'' recommendations focus on enhancing 
U.S. competitiveness (pg. 9). Do you agree with the following policies 
recommended? If so, please explain why, and if not, why not.

   ``we need to cut corporate taxes'' (pg. 9).

   ``we need to . . . broaden the [tax] base'' (pg. 9).

   ``we need to . . . improve the competitiveness of our tax 
        code'' (pg. 9).

   ``we need to emphasize smart and efficient regulation that 
        protects people and the environment while unleashing economic 
        growth'' (pg. 9).

    Answer. The recommendations made by the Jobs Council were offered 
by the citizens sitting on the panel. They were meant to represent the 
views of the members and did not necessarily represent my personal 
views. I would welcome a discussion in person with you about the 
reports.

    Question 20. The report states ``worker training is not tied 
closely to employer needs'' (pg. 11) and ``we know that workforce 
training that focuses on a particular industry and that provides 
longer-term training yields better outcomes, especially for low-income 
adults'' (pg. 14).

   Do you support a tax credit to encourage individuals and 
        businesses to donate to nonprofit scholarships for elementary, 
        secondary, and vocational education opportunities? If not, why 
        not?

    Answer. The recommendations made by the Jobs Council were offered 
by the citizens sitting on the panel. They were meant to represent the 
views of the members and did not necessarily represent my personal 
views. I would welcome a discussion in person with you about the 
reports.

    Question 21. The report's education chapter also states ``today, 
only one-quarter of America's 52 million K-12 students are performing 
on par with the average performance of the best five school systems in 
the world. . .'' (pg. 12).

   To what degree are public schools responsible for this 
        problem?

   Do you agree allowing families to escape underperforming 
        schools and instead choose to send their students to schools 
        where they can receive a quality education would improve 
        educational achievement?

    Answer. The recommendations made by the Jobs Council were offered 
by the citizens sitting on the panel. They were meant to represent the 
views of the members and did not necessarily represent my personal 
views. I would welcome a discussion in person with you about the 
reports.

    Question 22. The report states ``every day, about 7,000 students 
drop out of school'' and notes that ``all of [the dropouts] are less 
likely to succeed in the workplace'' (pg. 16). This is a tragedy and a 
failure of the public education system.

   Studies suggest there may be an additional 1 million high-
        school dropouts in the U.S. by fall 2021 if schools do not 
        resume in-classroom instruction soon.\4\ Teachers Unions have 
        repeatedly opposed full reopening and refute scientific 
        evidence (and CDC guidelines)\5\ that conclude in-person 
        schooling is safe. Do you agree with the scientific consensus 
        that schools should be reopened for full-time in-person 
        instruction?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \4\ https://www.statista.com/statistics/1197422/estimated-number-
high-school-dropouts-covid-19-scenario-us/
    \5\ https://reason.com/2021/03/19/everybody-except-teachers-unions-
loves-the-cdcs-revised-school-distancing-guidelines/

    Answer. The recommendations made by the Jobs Council were offered 
by the citizens sitting on the panel. They were meant to represent the 
views of the members and did not necessarily represent my personal 
views. I would welcome a discussion in person with you about the 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
reports.

    Question 23. The report states ``we therefore need a competitive 
tax policy that incentivizes companies to locate their R&D, production 
and employment in the United States'' (pg. 23). Do you agree with this 
statement? If so, please explain how you reconcile your agreement with 
President Biden's desire to hike corporate taxes. If you do not, please 
explain why not.
    Answer. The recommendations made by the Jobs Council were offered 
by the citizens sitting on the panel. They were meant to represent the 
views of the members and did not necessarily represent my personal 
views. I would welcome a discussion in person with you about the 
reports.

    Question 24. The report also mentions the need to ``guarantee 
private-sector inventors the fruits of their invention'' (pg. 23).

   If confirmed, how would you protect U.S. inventor's 
        intellectual property from economic espionage?

   If confirmed, how would you support the commercialization of 
        new frontiers? Specifically of space?

    Answer. The recommendations made by the Jobs Council were offered 
by the citizens sitting on the panel. They were meant to represent the 
views of the members and did not necessarily represent my personal 
views. I would welcome a discussion in person with you about the 
reports.

    Question 25. The report calls the cost of a college degree 
``outsized'' (pg. 25).

   Is the cost of higher education too high?

   If so, to what degree is the capitalization of Federal 
        dollars (Pell grants, Federal Student Aid, etc.) into the price 
        of education responsible for the high price of higher 
        education?

   What impact does a unionized workforce have on:

     Workforce bloat in higher education?

     The increased cost of higher education?

    Answer. The recommendations made by the Jobs Council were offered 
by the citizens sitting on the panel. They were meant to represent the 
views of the members and did not necessarily represent my personal 
views. I would welcome a discussion in person with you about the 
reports.

    Question 26. The energy chapter of the report notes ``our nation 
has an abundant supply of natural resources, and recent innovations in 
drilling have unlocked a century's worth of natural gas supply and 
enormously increased the production of unconventional oil'' (pg. 28).

   Do you support taking advantage of the ``abundant supply of 
        natural resources?''

   Should the Federal government continue to reap the benefits 
        of ``a century's worth of natural gas supply'' made possible by 
        technological innovation?

    Answer. The recommendations made by the Jobs Council were offered 
by the citizens sitting on the panel. They were meant to represent the 
views of the members and did not necessarily represent my personal 
views. I would welcome a discussion in person with you about the 
reports.

    Question 27. Do you agree with the following excerpt: ``continuing 
to deliver inexpensive and reliable energy is going to require the 
United States to optimize all of its natural resources and construct 
pathways (pipelines, transmission and distribution) to deliver 
electricity and fuel'' (pg. 29)? Why or why not?
    Answer. The recommendations made by the Jobs Council were offered 
by the citizens sitting on the panel. They were meant to represent the 
views of the members and did not necessarily represent my personal 
views. I would welcome a discussion in person with you about the 
reports.

    Question 28. Do you agree with the following excerpt: ``The Council 
recognizes the important safety and environmental concerns surrounding 
[pipeline, transmission, and distribution projects], but now more than 
ever, the jobs and economic and energy security benefits of these 
energy projects require us to tackle the issues head-on'' (pg. 29)? Why 
or why not?
    Answer. The recommendations made by the Jobs Council were offered 
by the citizens sitting on the panel. They were meant to represent the 
views of the members and did not necessarily represent my personal 
views. I would welcome a discussion in person with you about the 
reports.

    Question 29. Do you agree with the following excerpt: ``. . . 
expeditiously, though cautiously, move forward on projects that can 
support hundreds of thousands of jobs'' (pg. 29)? Why or why not?
    Answer. The recommendations made by the Jobs Council were offered 
by the citizens sitting on the panel. They were meant to represent the 
views of the members and did not necessarily represent my personal 
views. I would welcome a discussion in person with you about the 
reports.

    Question 30. Do you agree with the following excerpt: ``. . . 
regulatory and permitting obstacles that could threaten the development 
of some energy projects negatively impact jobs and weaken our energy 
infrastructure need to be addressed'' (pg. 29)? Why or why not?
    Answer. The recommendations made by the Jobs Council were offered 
by the citizens sitting on the panel. They were meant to represent the 
views of the members and did not necessarily represent my personal 
views. I would welcome a discussion in person with you about the 
reports.

    Question 31. Do you agree with the following excerpt: ``[coal, oil, 
natural gas, wind, solar, geothermal, uranium, and hydro] resources 
combined with technological advances presents an opportunity to develop 
a broad mix of fuel supplies, reduce emissions and help limit fuel 
price fluctuations'' (pg. 29)? Why or why not?
    Answer. The recommendations made by the Jobs Council were offered 
by the citizens sitting on the panel. They were meant to represent the 
views of the members and did not necessarily represent my personal 
views. I would welcome a discussion in person with you about the 
reports.

    Question 32. Do you agree with the following excerpt: ``while we 
believe the United States . . . needs to move deliberately and cost-
effectively towards greater proportions of renewable and low carbon 
forms of energy, we recognize that this will be a long-term transition 
and that traditional forms of fossil energy will continue to be 
important to our economy. . .'' (pg. 30)? Why or why not?
    Answer. The recommendations made by the Jobs Council were offered 
by the citizens sitting on the panel. They were meant to represent the 
views of the members and did not necessarily represent my personal 
views. I would welcome a discussion in person with you about the 
reports.

    [Note: No question 33 was submitted.]

    Question 34. Do you agree with the following excerpt: ``As a 
nation, we need to take advantage of all our natural resources to spur 
economic growth, create jobs and reduce the country's dependence on 
foreign oil'' (pg. 30)? Why or why not?
    Answer. The recommendations made by the Jobs Council were offered 
by the citizens sitting on the panel. They were meant to represent the 
views of the members and did not necessarily represent my personal 
views. I would welcome a discussion in person with you about the 
reports.

    Question 35. Do you agree with the following excerpt: ``First, we 
should allow more access to oil, natural gas, and coal opportunities on 
Federal lands'' (pg. 30)? Why or why not?
    Answer. The recommendations made by the Jobs Council were offered 
by the citizens sitting on the panel. They were meant to represent the 
views of the members and did not necessarily represent my personal 
views. I would welcome a discussion in person with you about the 
reports.

    Question 36. Do you agree with the following excerpt: ``Where 
sources of shale natural gas have been uncovered, federal, state and 
local authorities should encourage its safe and responsible 
extraction'' (pg. 30)? Why or why not?
    Answer. The recommendations made by the Jobs Council were offered 
by the citizens sitting on the panel. They were meant to represent the 
views of the members and did not necessarily represent my personal 
views. I would welcome a discussion in person with you about the 
reports.

    Question 37. Do you agree with the following excerpt: ``further 
expanding and expediting the domestic production of fossil fuels both 
offshore and onshore will reduce America's reliance on foreign oil. . 
.'' (pg. 30)? Why or why not?

   Do you agree the U.S. should reduce reliance on foreign oil? 
        Why or why not?

    Answer. The recommendations made by the Jobs Council were offered 
by the citizens sitting on the panel. They were meant to represent the 
views of the members and did not necessarily represent my personal 
views. I would welcome a discussion in person with you about the 
reports.

    Question 38. Do you agree with the following excerpt: ``policies 
that encourage rapid lease development while emphasizing the highest 
safety standards will ensure companies responsibly drill for natural 
gas or oil and mine for coal or other our minerals in Federal areas in 
a timely manner'' (pg. 30)? Why or why not?
    Answer. The recommendations made by the Jobs Council were offered 
by the citizens sitting on the panel. They were meant to represent the 
views of the members and did not necessarily represent my personal 
views. I would welcome a discussion in person with you about the 
reports.

    Question 39. Do you agree with the following excerpt: ``. . . the 
U.S. government should make more areas available for renewable energy 
development'' (pg. 30)? Why or why not?
    Answer. The recommendations made by the Jobs Council were offered 
by the citizens sitting on the panel. They were meant to represent the 
views of the members and did not necessarily represent my personal 
views. I would welcome a discussion in person with you about the 
reports.

    Question 40. Do you agree with the following excerpt: ``The Federal 
government should also streamline the permitting process. . .'' (pg. 
30)? Why or why not?
    Answer. The recommendations made by the Jobs Council were offered 
by the citizens sitting on the panel. They were meant to represent the 
views of the members and did not necessarily represent my personal 
views. I would welcome a discussion in person with you about the 
reports.

    Question 41. Do you agree with the following excerpt: ``The Council 
recognizes that providing access to more areas for drilling, mining and 
renewable energy is controversial . . . we believe it's necessary to 
tap America's assets in a safe and responsible manner'' (pg. 30)? Why 
or why not?
    Answer. The recommendations made by the Jobs Council were offered 
by the citizens sitting on the panel. They were meant to represent the 
views of the members and did not necessarily represent my personal 
views. I would welcome a discussion in person with you about the 
reports.

    Question 42. Do you agree with the following excerpt: 
``Additionally, policies that facilitate the safe, thoughtful and 
timely development of pipeline, transmission and distribution projects 
are necessary to facilitate the delivery of America's fuel and 
electricity and maintain the reliability of our Nation's energy 
system'' (pg. 30)? Why or why not?
    Answer. The recommendations made by the Jobs Council were offered 
by the citizens sitting on the panel. They were meant to represent the 
views of the members and did not necessarily represent my personal 
views. I would welcome a discussion in person with you about the 
reports.

    Question 43. Do you agree with the following excerpt: ``We must 
reduce our overall energy dependence through bold and achievable 
efficiency gains'' (pg. 30)? Why or why not?
    Answer. The recommendations made by the Jobs Council were offered 
by the citizens sitting on the panel. They were meant to represent the 
views of the members and did not necessarily represent my personal 
views. I would welcome a discussion in person with you about the 
reports.

    Question 44. Do you agree with the following excerpt: ``We can 
reduce our dependence on oil . . . by promoting alternative vehicle 
technologies, ranging from fully electric vehicles to hybrids to 
natural gas and alternative fuels'' (pg. 31)? Why or why not?
    Answer. The recommendations made by the Jobs Council were offered 
by the citizens sitting on the panel. They were meant to represent the 
views of the members and did not necessarily represent my personal 
views. I would welcome a discussion in person with you about the 
reports.

    Question 45. Do you agree with the following excerpt: ``Rapidly 
evolving technologies in areas like natural gas drilling, 21st-century 
nuclear power, renewable energy, energy storage, coal gasification, 
electric vehicles, the smart grid and carbon capture, utilization and 
storage have enormous potential'' (pg. 31)? Why or why not?
    Answer. The recommendations made by the Jobs Council were offered 
by the citizens sitting on the panel. They were meant to represent the 
views of the members and did not necessarily represent my personal 
views. I would welcome a discussion in person with you about the 
reports.

    Question 46. Do you agree with the following statement: 
``regulations correct market failures and are sometimes essential for 
markets to function'' (pg. 41)? Why or why not?
    Answer. The recommendations made by the Jobs Council were offered 
by the citizens sitting on the panel. They were meant to represent the 
views of the members and did not necessarily represent my personal 
views. I would welcome a discussion in person with you about the 
reports.

    Question 47. Do you agree with the following statement: 
``regulatory reform efforts--just like regulation itself--should 
provide net benefits to society'' (pg. 41)? Why or why not?
    Answer. The recommendations made by the Jobs Council were offered 
by the citizens sitting on the panel. They were meant to represent the 
views of the members and did not necessarily represent my personal 
views. I would welcome a discussion in person with you about the 
reports.

    Question 48. Do you agree with the following statement: 
``regulations have both costs and benefits'' (pg. 41)? Why or why not?

   If yes, how does President Biden's memorandum Modernizing 
        Regulatory Review,\6\ which added environmental stewardship and 
        racial justice as cost consideration, affect the accuracy of 
        cost-benefit analyses?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \6\ https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/26/2021-
01866/modernizing-regulatory-review

    Answer. The recommendations made by the Jobs Council were offered 
by the citizens sitting on the panel. They were meant to represent the 
views of the members and did not necessarily represent my personal 
views. I would welcome a discussion in person with you about the 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
reports.

    Question 49. Do you agree with the following statement: 
``regulations should maximize net benefits'' (pg. 42)? Why or why not?
    Answer. The recommendations made by the Jobs Council were offered 
by the citizens sitting on the panel. They were meant to represent the 
views of the members and did not necessarily represent my personal 
views. I would welcome a discussion in person with you about the 
reports.

    Question 50. Do you agree with the following statement: ``no single 
element of cost or benefit should predetermine the regulatory outcome'' 
(pg. 42)? Why or why not?
    Answer. The recommendations made by the Jobs Council were offered 
by the citizens sitting on the panel. They were meant to represent the 
views of the members and did not necessarily represent my personal 
views. I would welcome a discussion in person with you about the 
reports.

    Question 51. Do you agree with the following statement: 
``regulatory review should account for uncertainties and changing 
circumstances'' (pg. 42)? Why or why not?
    Answer. The recommendations made by the Jobs Council were offered 
by the citizens sitting on the panel. They were meant to represent the 
views of the members and did not necessarily represent my personal 
views. I would welcome a discussion in person with you about the 
reports.

    Question 52. Do you agree with the following statement: ``the 
regulatory process should promote predictability and confidence in 
government'' (pg. 42)? Why or why not?
    Answer. The recommendations made by the Jobs Council were offered 
by the citizens sitting on the panel. They were meant to represent the 
views of the members and did not necessarily represent my personal 
views. I would welcome a discussion in person with you about the 
reports.

    Question 53. Do you agree agencies should disclose data and costs, 
as suggested on page 43 of the report?
    Answer. The recommendations made by the Jobs Council were offered 
by the citizens sitting on the panel. They were meant to represent the 
views of the members and did not necessarily represent my personal 
views. I would welcome a discussion in person with you about the 
reports.

    Question 54. Do you support a regulatory portal, as recommended on 
page 43? Why or why not?
    Answer. The recommendations made by the Jobs Council were offered 
by the citizens sitting on the panel. They were meant to represent the 
views of the members and did not necessarily represent my personal 
views. I would welcome a discussion in person with you about the 
reports.

    Question 55. Do you agree the transparency behind guidance 
documents needs to be improved, as recommended on page 43? Why or why 
not?
    Answer. The recommendations made by the Jobs Council were offered 
by the citizens sitting on the panel. They were meant to represent the 
views of the members and did not necessarily represent my personal 
views. I would welcome a discussion in person with you about the 
reports.

    Question 56. Do you support a permitting program management office, 
as recommended on page 44? Why or why not?
    Answer. The recommendations made by the Jobs Council were offered 
by the citizens sitting on the panel. They were meant to represent the 
views of the members and did not necessarily represent my personal 
views. I would welcome a discussion in person with you about the 
reports.

    Question 57. Do you support a permitting ``one-stop shop,'' as 
recommended on page 44? Why or why not?
    Answer. The recommendations made by the Jobs Council were offered 
by the citizens sitting on the panel. They were meant to represent the 
views of the members and did not necessarily represent my personal 
views. I would welcome a discussion in person with you about the 
reports.

    Question 58. Do you agree with the following statement: ``public 
confidence in government analysis is improved when it is reviewed by an 
independent party'' (pg. 45)? Why or why not?
    Answer. The recommendations made by the Jobs Council were offered 
by the citizens sitting on the panel. They were meant to represent the 
views of the members and did not necessarily represent my personal 
views. I would welcome a discussion in person with you about the 
reports.

    Question 59. Do you agree the ``system of corporate taxation [in 
2012] hurts both business competitiveness and American workers, and 
cries out for reform'' (pg. 46)? Why or why not?
    Answer. The recommendations made by the Jobs Council were offered 
by the citizens sitting on the panel. They were meant to represent the 
views of the members and did not necessarily represent my personal 
views. I would welcome a discussion in person with you about the 
reports.

    Question 60. Do you agree with the following statement: ``. . . as 
a society we must commit to . . . long-run deficit reduction'' (pg. 
46)? Why or why not?
    Answer. The recommendations made by the Jobs Council were offered 
by the citizens sitting on the panel. They were meant to represent the 
views of the members and did not necessarily represent my personal 
views. I would welcome a discussion in person with you about the 
reports.
                                 ______
                                 
    Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Jerry Moran to 
                               Don Graves
    Question 1. Section 232 Tariffs
    As a candidate, President Biden committed to reviewing all tariffs 
put in place by the previous administration, including Section 232 
national security tariffs that the Commerce Department oversees. In 
early February, President Biden re-imposed Section 232 tariffs on 
aluminum imports from the UAE, which President Trump removed before he 
left office. As part of the proclamation re-imposing tariffs on these 
imports, President Biden stated, ``I consider it is necessary and 
appropriate in light of our national security interests to maintain, at 
this time, the tariff treatment applied to aluminum article imports 
from the United Arab Emirates.''

   Is this statement representative of a belief of President 
        Biden's that steel and aluminum imports are harmful to the US?

   Is the re-imposition of Section 232 tariffs on these 
        aluminum imports a sign that President Biden's administration 
        plans to maintain tariffs on steel and aluminum imports for the 
        foreseeable future?

   Will you commit to me that you will take the increased input 
        costs for manufacturers into account when reviewing Section 232 
        tariffs on steel and aluminum?

    Answer. The Department of Commerce is charged with confronting 
unfair trade practices, whether those by China or other countries. If 
confirmed, I will work with the Department to employ all relevant and 
appropriate trade enforcement mechanisms to protect U.S. interests 
while aggressively promoting U.S. exports that benefit American workers 
and businesses, particularly our small and medium sized businesses.
    In addition, if confirmed, I will support the efforts of the 
Department to continue to rigorously enforce the U.S. trade laws, 
including the Antidumping and Countervailing Duties (AD/CVD) laws, to 
help ensure that U.S. workers, farmers and businesses are not harmed by 
unfair imports from China or other countries. The Department has 
expressed that it is committed to helping all U.S. companies, and that 
it will work diligently to ensure U.S. companies have the market access 
and proper protections provided by our trade agreements.
    It is my understanding that the Biden Administration is undertaking 
a review of the steel and aluminum Section 232 tariffs and that the 
President has the authority to make revisions to the tariffs. While it 
would be the President's prerogative, if confirmed, I will support the 
efforts of the Department to provide advice and technical assistance in 
that review and decision.

    Question 2. NIST and Cybersecurity

    NIST plays a critical role in the Federal government's 
cybersecurity efforts, including through providing cybersecurity 
voluntary guidance to the private sector and coordinating interagency 
efforts in cybersecurity education, training, and workforce 
development.
    How do you plan to support NIST's role in the Federal government's 
cybersecurity efforts?
    Answer. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 
plays a unique role in cybersecurity by carrying out a broad range of 
cybersecurity assignments. It is critical that the Federal government 
do an even better job of prioritizing, coordinating, and meeting the 
needs of agencies and companies.
    If confirmed, I would work to help NIST tackle cybersecurity 
programs in discussions with leaders in other agencies and in the 
business world. And I would work to make certain that NIST has the 
appropriate resources needed to get the job done.

    Question 2a. What will you do to ensure NIST's cybersecurity 
functions are being fully utilized, given the serious cybersecurity 
challenges facing the Federal government and private sector in this 
country today?
    Answer. With so many cybersecurity-related challenges, 
organizations simply cannot afford to manage their risks one by one or 
to treat them in isolation. Cybersecurity risks must be managed at the 
enterprise level and by using practical standards and guidelines. If 
confirmed, I plan to help NIST to identify the most valuable and timely 
tools and information to better inform enterprise risk management. 
Moreover, I would make it my business to spread the word about these 
solutions so that they are put into practice even more widely and with 
a greater sense of urgency.

    Question 2b. Would you agree that the Department of Commerce, 
primarily via NIST, should take a more proactive role in encouraging 
adoption of cybersecurity standards & best practices--particularly 
around supply chains (last published in 2016) and digital identity 
(last published in 2017)?
    Answer. There is no doubt that government and the private sector 
organizations alike must place a greater emphasis--and act--on 
cybersecurity issues, including digital identity and supply chain 
issues. If confirmed, I will work to strengthen the Department of 
Commerce's role in enabling and encouraging adoption of cybersecurity 
standards and best practices.

    Question 3. Privacy Shield and Data Privacy

    As you know, the EU-US Privacy Shield framework was invalidated 
last July, placing commercial data transfers between the U.S. and our 
European partners in jeopardy.

   How do you think the Department should proceed in working 
        with our European counterparts on a new agreement to support 
        data transfers?

   On a related note, how do you think having a Federal data 
        privacy standard would impact the adequacy concerns related to 
        data transfers with our EU partners?

    Answer. It is my understanding that negotiating an enhanced Privacy 
Shield and restoring stability to trans-Atlantic data flows are top 
priorities for the Department of Commerce. If confirmed, I will work on 
efforts to ensure negotiations continue for an enhanced Privacy Shield 
that addresses the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) 
concerns and enables Privacy Shield to once again serve as a valid 
transfer mechanism for U.S. firms to receive personal data from the EU.

    Question 4. Economic Development Administration:
    I am a staunch supporter of the Economic Development Administration 
(EDA) within the Department of Commerce. The grant programs that EDA 
administers, such as the Regional Innovation Strategies program, are 
critical for supporting American innovation and promoting economic 
competitiveness. However, I continue to be concerned that the vast 
majority of growth within the U.S. innovation sector--90 percent by 
some accounts--is occurring in only five metropolitan areas, all of 
which are located on the coasts.

   Do you agree that the agglomeration of the U.S. innovation 
        sector is a troublesome trend? And, as Deputy Secretary, how 
        would you ensure that EDA's programs are being used to expand 
        the geographic extent of the innovation economy and best 
        support all of our Nation's innovators?

    Answer. The Economic Development Administration's investment policy 
is designed to establish a foundation for sustainable job growth and 
the building of durable regional economies throughout the United 
States.
    I have spent my career fighting to get funding for distressed 
communities. If confirmed, I can also assure you the staff at EDA will 
continue to assist communities across the country and not a handful of 
locations.

    Question 5: SolarWinds Federal Breach

    On December 13, 2020, Reuters reported an alarming cyberattack 
campaign organized by Russian actors had breached multiple Federal 
agencies. The Department of Commerce was one of the first departments 
to be identified as being breached as part of this cyberattack.
    The SolarWinds compromise was as much of an attack on our economic 
security as our national security--and the situation demands a swift 
and deliberate response by Federal agencies to harden cyber defenses 
and protect sensitive data.
    What will be your plan, as Deputy Secretary, to address the need to 
strengthen the Department of Commerce's internal cyber defenses?
    Answer. Strong and effective cybersecurity measures are needed to 
ensure that the private and public sector can rely on robust and 
trustworthy systems, and an expansion and transformation of our 
Nation's workforce is needed to address current and projected severe 
shortages of cybersecurity-savvy workers.
    If confirmed, I would support NIST's role in developing 
cybersecurity and privacy standards, guidelines, best practices, and 
other resources to meet the needs of U.S. industry, Federal agencies, 
and the broader public essential to economic security and growth.

    Question 6. COVID-19 Cybersecurity and Data Privacy

    Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a majority of Americans are working 
remotely. This presents a number of challenges for the cybersecurity of 
companies that have shifted to remote work, and opportunities for bad 
actors to take advantage of businesses operating in an unfamiliar 
posture.
    Will you commit to strengthening cybersecurity workforce 
capabilities to secure and defend information infrastructure?
    Answer. The shift to remote work and other changes brought on by 
the COVID-19 pandemic have reinforced the importance of, and need for, 
strong and effective cybersecurity practices and a strengthened 
cybersecurity workforce to secure and defend the Nation's information 
infrastructure. If confirmed, I commit to reinforcing NIST's leadership 
and efforts to bolster the Nation's cybersecurity workforce 
capabilities to meet the needs of U.S. industry, Federal agencies, and 
the broader public.

    Question 7. Spectrum Allocation

    The Department of Commerce, through NTIA, manages the use of 
electromagnetic spectrum for the entire country. Vital operations of 
the Federal government, ranging from National defense, to weather 
forecasts, to scientific discovery all utilize electromagnetic 
spectrum, and involve coordination efforts across multiple Federal 
agencies and departments. At the same time, companies and industries 
are finding and creating new applications that would use the same 
spectrum to increase economic opportunity and productivity.

   How will you balance the interests of the Federal government 
        activities with industries that would like to utilize the 
        finite resources of radio spectrum?

   What role will you take as Deputy Secretary to coordinate 
        efforts with other Federal interests, like the Federal 
        Communications Commission, that will protect national interests 
        and also further economic growth?

    Answer. NTIA is the President's principal advisor on 
telecommunications and information policy matters including spectrum. 
NTIA has worked over the past three decades to balance the spectrum 
requirements of Federal government agencies with the need to provide 
more spectrum resources for commercial network deployments.
    If confirmed, I will continue to rely on NTIA as I work closely 
with the White House, other Federal agencies, the Federal 
Communications Commission, the commercial sector, and other 
stakeholders to understand requirements and find win-win solutions for 
government and industry.
                                 ______
                                 
  Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Marsha Blackburn to 
                               Don Graves
    Question 1. Regulatory Reform

    The Department of Commerce's website states ``Accelerating the 
development of new manufacturing plants and equipment, and 
infrastructure improvements are fundamental to our mission. We will be 
at the forefront of Federal efforts to reduce regulations and shorten 
the time-frame for Federal review of projects.''
    How do you plan on accelerating the deployment of infrastructure 
projects in America's rural communities? Can I trust that you will cut 
burdensome regulatory hurdles that impede infrastructure projects 
across this nation?
    Answer. If confirmed, I look forward to working with the Department 
and Members of Congress to accelerate the development and deployment of 
new manufacturing plants and equipment, and to support infrastructure 
improvements to America's rural communities through existing and 
proposed Department programs, including regulatory reform efforts 
underway in response to the President's Executive Order 14005.

    Question 2. Manufacturing

    The biggest obstacle to bringing advanced manufacturing jobs back 
to states and communities is educating new workers.
    How do you plan to work with businesses, states, and local entities 
to promote advanced manufacturing education?
    Answer. If confirmed, I look forward to working with the Department 
and members of Congress on legislation to bring back manufacturing jobs 
to our states and communities. As part of that, the Commerce-led 
Manufacturing USA network, including institutes sponsored by the 
Departments of Commerce, Defense, and Energy, will continue to maintain 
a focus on education and workforce development in advanced 
manufacturing. The institutes work with U.S. manufacturers, 
universities, community colleges, and K-12 schools to organize programs 
both to upskill existing workers and to create a pipeline of new 
skilled workers, including training and educating underrepresented 
minorities, returning veterans, and underserved regions of the United 
States.

    Question 3. Artificial Intelligence (AI)

    Artificial intelligence (AI) technology is proliferating and 
important considerations are being brought to light about both the 
benefits of the technology as well as the challenges.
    If confirmed, how will you work with key stakeholders, U.S. 
companies, & domestic experts on implementing AI standards processes?
    Answer. If confirmed, I will support and strengthen the 
Department's efforts in maintaining U.S. leadership in development of 
Artificial intelligence (AI) standards. Specifically, I will support 
and strengthen NIST's current efforts in engaging the research 
community to strengthen the needed scientific foundation for 
development of technically sound standards; work with entities in the 
public and private sector in building institutional capacity to 
understand and engage in standardization processes; and most 
importantly, actively participate and lead development of technical 
standards for trustworthy AI.

    Question 4. China

    Trade talks with China will be continuing under the new 
administration.

   Do you support the current round of Tariffs? If so, do you 
        plan to make changes to the exemption process?

   How do you plan to confront Chinese attempts to steal 
        intellectual property?

    Answer. If confirmed, I will work with Secretary Raimondo to ensure 
the Department continues to apply appropriate measures to counter anti-
competitive behavior by China that hurts American workers and 
companies. It is my understanding that the Department is continually 
reviewing the process and scope of the 232 Exclusions Process to 
increase its efficiency and transparency. Regarding intellectual 
property, if confirmed, I will work to ensure that the Department will 
continue to recognize protection and enforcement of U.S. intellectual 
property rights as a trade policy priority.

    Question 5. Semiconductors

    China has targeted 5G and advanced telecommunications 
infrastructure equipment as key part of its global strategy, and the 
tactics the Chinese government adopted have disrupted key global supply 
chains in the information communications technology sector--including 
semiconductor manufacturing.

   What tools are available to Commerce prevent further 
        disruptions in these markets?

   Furthermore, what can the Department of Commerce do to 
        prevent deployment of Chinese components, particularly optical 
        transmission components, in our communications networks?

    Answer. It is my understanding that the Biden Administration is 
undertaking a comprehensive review of U.S. trade policy towards China 
as part of its overall China strategy and is committed to using all 
available tools to counter the range of China's unfair trade practices. 
The Department, through NIST, ITA, BIS, NTIA, and USPTO, has a broad 
array of tools that can be deployed to ensure the United States is 
positioned to outcompete China in key areas of research and 
development, strengthen U.S. engagement in standards development for 
emerging technologies, partner with U.S. allies, and protect U.S. 
intellectual property globally. If confirmed, I look forward to helping 
advance these important efforts.

    Question 6. Through the NDAA, Congress took steps to support the 
on-shoring of the semiconductor industry; this included a R&D 
investment, public-private partnerships, and notably a grant program 
for the construction and expansion of manufacturing facilities. Given 
the critical importance of this industry and the chip shortages abound, 
how do you envision this Commerce Department-led grant program working?
    Answer. If confirmed, I look forward to working across the 
Department and with the White House and Congress to fully implement the 
programs authorized in the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense 
Authorization Act (NDAA). The goal of these programs is to regain U.S. 
semiconductor technology and R&D leadership, increase market share in 
bleeding-edge logic fabrication, and maintain market share in overall 
fabrication capacity, including older-generation logic and memory 
chips.
    If fully funded, the Department will provide grants as authorized 
in the NDAA to support the construction of new fabrication facilities, 
including those at the leading edge (7nm and 5nm nodes) as well as 
expanding capacity at fabs producing memory chips, as well as older 
generation plants to ensure the U.S. retains its current 12 percent 
share of global fab capacity. In addition to the incentives for fab 
construction, if fully funded, the Department will work with the 
Department of Defense to establish a National Semiconductor Technology 
Center that would be a public private partnership that invests in new 
metrology, advanced packaging, worker training, and R&D investments to 
test and validate the next generation of design and production 
technology.

    Question 7. Blockchain

    If confirmed, how would you support a national strategy for 
blockchain technology to spur growth of American businesses?
    Answer. If confirmed, I look forward to working with NIST to 
explore options for a national strategy for blockchain technology and 
ensure that economic security and the needs of American businesses are 
reflected.
                                 ______
                                 
      Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Mike Lee to 
                               Don Graves
    Question 1. As Deputy Secretary of Commerce, you will have an 
important role in managing the National Telecommunications and 
Information Administration (NTIA), which manages spectrum assignments 
among Federal government users.

   Do you think Federal agencies currently use their spectrum 
        efficiently?

   Should government agencies be immune from oversight of their 
        use of the electromagnetic spectrum?

   I think Congress and Executive Branch agencies need the best 
        available data to identify inefficiencies in both the 
        Commercial and Government contexts. Will you support my 
        legislation, the Government Spectrum Valuation Act, which would 
        require NTIA to calculate the value or the ``opportunity 
        costs'' associated with Federal spectrum so that we can make 
        more informed decisions?

    Answer. Federal agencies must use spectrum, which is a limited 
national resource, both efficiently and effectively in order to meet 
the missions and mandates that Congress has enacted--ranging from 
national defense and homeland security to law enforcement, 
transportation safety, space exploration and many others.
    Efficient and effective government use of spectrum can allow 
additional spectrum to be shared with, or otherwise repurposed, for the 
kinds of advanced commercial wireless services that have spurred 
economic growth and technological innovation over the past three 
decades. If confirmed, I will work with NTIA as it coordinates the 
efforts among the Federal agencies, and with the Federal Communications 
Commission (FCC) to continue making spectrum available without 
compromising the government operations that protect our economic and 
national security.

    Question 2. Should NTIA or a Federal agency be able to ``veto'' an 
FCC decision to license a band for a commercial purpose, even after 
those Federal agencies have been able to weigh in on the FCC's review?

   How would you handle disputes with the FCC over the 
        licensing of a band for a commercial purpose?

   In making spectrum determinations, should NTIA defer to a 
        Federal agency's spectrum findings or should NTIA make their 
        own independent, scientific judgments?

   In your opinion, is the current FCC/NTIA Memorandum of 
        Understanding sufficient to govern interagency spectrum 
        decision-making?

    Answer. Under the Communications Act, the FCC has the authority to 
license and regulate non-Federal uses of spectrum. So, the Executive 
Branch, including the NTIA, does not have authority to veto an FCC 
decision to allocate or license commercial services in a band. However, 
the Communications Act does give the Executive Branch authority to 
assign and manage spectrum allocated for use by Federal government 
agencies. In the national interest, NTIA does express the views of the 
Executive Branch and the Federal agencies in FCC proceedings where 
Commission actions could affect spectrum-dependent Federal operations. 
If confirmed, I believe that the existing processes, if followed in 
good faith by the FCC and Federal agencies, can be used to lessen the 
need for escalating adjudications or for public disagreements over FCC 
decisions.

    Question 3. Can you commit, as Secretary Raimondo did during her 
hearing, that you will oppose efforts to authorize or promote a 
nationalized 5G network?
    Answer. Yes, I can commit to opposing efforts to authorize or 
promote a nationalized 5G network, as Secretary Raimondo has stated 
during her confirmation hearing.
    I do not support or promote the idea of a nationalized 5G network. 
The private sector has developed and deployed wireless networks, 
including those based on 5G that make the U.S. the world leader in 
global wireless technology and services. Existing law and policy 
prevent agencies from competing with U.S. industry and I support 
maintaining these policies.

    Question 4. Do you agree that China poses both economic and 
security threats to the United States?

   Why has China had such success attracting U.S. businesses--
        particularly U.S. manufacturing? And what recommendations will 
        you make to revive U.S. manufacturing?

   We know U.S. manufacturing costs are generally higher than 
        China as well as other Asian markets. What contributes to these 
        costs? Do U.S. regulations? Do U.S. labor costs? Are there 
        areas of our domestic laws that make the United States an 
        unattractive market for manufacturing?

    Answer. I look forward to working with the Department and members 
of Congress on legislation to enact the President's campaign promise to 
Build Back Better, and in so doing improve our Nation's global 
competitiveness. As part of that, the NIST MEP National Network of 
Centers will continue to focus on helping small and medium 
manufacturers grow and compete by adopting new technology and processes 
to innovate products and improve productivity. In parallel, the 
Manufacturing USA program will continue to connect people and ideas to 
develop new technologies and solve industry-related advanced 
manufacturing challenges. These actions will contribute to reviving 
U.S. manufacturing and attracting U.S. manufacturers to expand 
operations domestically instead of in China or other nations.
    With respect to your second question, there are U.S. costs that can 
increase production costs such as labor and services relative to lower 
wage nations. NIST MEP and NIST help manufacturers identify 
opportunities to reduce these costs and maintain key regulation 
compliance through a combination of adopting best practices and 
adopting the latest innovative technologies.

    Question 5. Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution clearly gives 
Congress the authority to ``lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and 
excises'' and ``to regulate commerce with foreign nations.'' How do you 
view Congress' role in levying tariffs and duties on trade, and would 
you support Congress exercising increased control over the approval 
process for such measures?

   When should tariffs be imposed? And how do you weigh the 
        costs of increasing such a trade barrier as opposed to the 
        benefits of free trade?

   Do you agree that any broad-based increase in U.S. tariffs 
        tend to have the biggest negative impact on low-income American 
        households, which spend a larger share of their budgets on 
        imported shoes, clothing, food, and household goods?

    Answer. I share President Biden's and Secretary Raimondo's 
commitment to international trade that benefits all Americans and that 
creates high paying jobs here in the United States. If confirmed, I 
commit to working with Congress on tariffs and other trade issues to 
create a more prosperous America where the benefits of trade are shared 
equally by all Americans.

    Question 6. One of President Biden's first executive actions was to 
reverse President Trump's July memorandum ordering the U.S. Census 
Bureau to exclude illegal aliens from the census count. Recently, the 
Supreme Court declined to decide the case because it was not ripe. 
During oral arguments, it was admitted that the Census Bureau at the 
time did not know whether the number of illegal aliens would affect 
apportionment. Do you support President Biden's decision?

   If the illegal alien population of a particular state was 
        sufficient enough to affect apportionment, would you at all be 
        concerned that this illegal activity could benefit certain 
        states with additional representation in the House of 
        Representatives over others?

   Do the American people deserve an answer as to whether the 
        illegal alien population affects the proportion of members in 
        the U.S. House of Representatives?

    Answer. Like Secretary Raimondo, if confirmed, I would support the 
President's Order on this topic and believe that the 2020 Census should 
count everyone. I agree that reapportionment be consistent with the 
Constitution and based on the total number of persons residing in the 
several states, without regard for immigration status. I also believe 
that it is essential that the 2020 Census count must be accurate and 
based on as reliable high-quality data as possible.

    Question 7. States oftentimes use Federal money only for simple 
projects, for compliance reasons, and they tend to use their own funds 
for difficult, complex projects because the regulatory burden that 
comes with Federal requirements can raise the cost of the project by 20 
percent. This is especially challenging in my home state of Utah where 
most of Utah's land is owned by the Federal government. As governor, 
you appeared to champion cutting red tape and slashing regulations that 
were getting in the way of private entrepreneurship and innovation. How 
would you bring this deregulatory philosophy to the Department of 
Commerce?

   Can you identify any regulations or areas of policymaking at 
        the Department you would like to see reduced?

    Answer. If confirmed, I plan to take a comprehensive look at the 
Department's rulemaking process and would welcome a further discussion 
on this issue.

    Question 8. The Biden Administration has announced it is conducting 
a comprehensive agency-wide review of the U.S. supply chain for 
critical sectors. The review is largely focused on the U.S./China 
bilateral relationship. What guidance will you offer to Secretary 
Raimondo and President Biden on how this comprehensive review should 
inform the current review periods of the International Trade Commission 
(ITC)? And what metrics will guide you in determining whether to extend 
or maintain an existing ITC review period?
    Answer. If confirmed, I look forward to reviewing further President 
Biden's Executive Order on America's Supply Chains. It is my 
understanding that the Secretary of Commerce is assigned lead 
responsibility for the report identifying risks in the semiconductor 
manufacturing and advanced packaging supply chains.
    If confirmed, I plan to take a comprehensive look at the 
Department's ongoing work on this subject and would welcome a further 
discussion on this issue.
                                 ______
                                 
     Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Rick Scott to 
                               Don Graves
    Question 1. Communist China continues to openly flout U.S. laws and 
refuse to hold up their ends of trade deals with the United States. 
They are dead-set on being the dominant world power, and can't be 
trusted to play fair. Every single U.S. dollar spent in China supports 
a regime that jails its people for religious beliefs and denies basic 
human rights to its citizens.

   What is your plan to ensure that U.S. citizens and taxpayer 
        dollars are protected from Communist China, and how do you plan 
        to hold them accountable in any future trade commitments?

    Answer. China's aggressive, anticompetitive, and coercive trade 
policies hurt American workers and businesses. Holding China 
accountable in future trade commitments and ensuring that U.S. workers 
and firms benefit from trade agreements signed with other countries 
require a whole-of-government approach, in partnership with the U.S. 
Trade Representative, the Department of State, and other U.S. 
government agencies. If confirmed, I will work diligently to ensure 
U.S. exporters have the market access and proper protections provided 
by our trade agreements.

    Question 2. I've been fighting to protect American national 
security and intellectual property by preventing the U.S. government 
from purchasing technology, like drones, with American tax dollars. I 
was glad to see the Department of Commerce add Chinese drone company, 
DJI, to the Entity List because of national security concerns. And 
earlier this year, former President Trump issued an EO directing U.S. 
agencies to prioritize removing Chinese-made drones from our 
government's fleets due to security risks. I also recently introduced 
the Entity List Verification Act (S. 568) which requires the Secretary 
of Commerce to provide certification to Congress that an entity is not 
a national security risk before it is removed from the Entity List.

   Can you confirm that you intend to keep DJI on the Entity 
        List?

   What further action can the Department of Commerce take 
        against companies like DJI, and any other Chinese-based 
        company, that pose such obvious national security threats?

    Answer. The United States is engaged in strategic competition with 
China, and technology is a central domain of that competition. We 
should have no illusions about China's objectives, which I believe are 
to undercut America's longstanding technological advantage and to 
displace America as the global leader in cutting-edge research and 
development and the industries of the future. The national security and 
economic consequences of allowing that to happen are simply 
unacceptable. That is the bottom-line perspective I will bring to this 
role, if confirmed.
    With respect to the Entity List, I understand that parties are 
placed on the Entity List and the Military End User List generally 
because they pose a risk to U.S. national security or foreign policy 
interests. I currently have no reason to believe that entities on those 
lists should not be there. If confirmed, I look forward to a briefing 
on these entities and others of concern. I further understand that the 
Department has an ongoing process in place to identify and review 
activities of the Chinese government as well as commercial entities and 
their affiliates to determine whether placement of additional entities 
on the Entity List and/or the Military End User List is warranted. I 
understand that this is an interagency process. If confirmed, I will 
support the Secretary's efforts to encourage the use of the Entity 
List, the Military End User List, and other appropriate tools within 
the scope of Commerce authorities to protect U.S. national security and 
foreign policy interests.

    Question 3. Our nation is competing against known adversaries like 
Communist China and Russia in the space launch industry, and we must 
put American interests and national security first. I co-sponsored the 
American Space Commerce Act to bolster the domestic space industry and 
to ensure the U.S. remains a leader in space exploration. What is your 
plan to continue growing the domestic space industry?
    Answer. The Department and the Administration have a role to play 
in supporting the domestic space industry, while ensuring safe and 
productive development in this shared domain. If confirmed, I look 
forward to working with you as you develop legislation in this 
important area and to communicating the Department's recommendations on 
areas of mutual interest and concern.

    Question 4. One of the main roles of the Department of Commerce is 
to promote job creation and economic growth, but the Biden 
Administration has called for a new national minimum wage of $15 an 
hour. Reports indicate this mandate would cost as many as 1.4 million 
Americans their jobs. Small businesses in America are struggling like 
never before--especially in liberal states where repeated lockdowns 
have left them fighting to stay open. They're competing against big-box 
stores that are experiencing record sales. It is disappointing that 
President Biden seems to believe now is the time to create another 
mandate on their back and drive even more Americans chasing the dream 
of this country out of business.

   Can you explain your view of a federally-mandated $15 
        minimum wage, and if implemented, how you'd work to mitigate 
        the effects on small businesses, so they can afford to keep 
        their doors open?

    Answer. As I noted at my confirmation hearing, if confirmed, I 
would follow the lead of President Biden in this area. I believe that 
an increase in the minimum wage would bring millions of people out of 
poverty and help grow further prosperity.

    Question 5. I'm proud to be the Ranking Member of the tourism, 
trade, and export promotion subcommittee alongside my colleague, 
Senator Rosen. The travel and tourism industry is an important role in 
interstate commerce and the U.S. economy, especially in my state of 
Florida, and I'm extremely concerned about the effects that COVID has 
placed on this industry and the jobs that depend on it.

   What is your recovery plan for the travel and tourism 
        industry?

    Answer. The travel and tourism industry has been disproportionally 
affected by the COVID-19 restrictions on travel that have been put in 
place to provide for public health. The Department of Commerce plays a 
leading role with respect to this sector. If confirmed, I will work 
with the National Travel and Tourism Office and the Commercial Service 
(both in the International Trade Administration), the Economic 
Development Administration, and public health authorities to help the 
industry recover.
    The Secretary of Commerce chairs the Tourism Policy Council, an 
interagency council whose purpose is to coordinate policies and 
programs to support the sector. Secretary Raimondo has expressed her 
commitment to actively supporting the recovery of travel and tourism 
and, if confirmed, I will support her in those efforts.

    Question 6. In 2019, the Department of Commerce finalized a 
Suspension Agreement on Fresh Tomatoes from Mexico, which according to 
the Department, ``completely eliminates the injurious effects of 
unfairly priced Mexican tomatoes'' and ``protects U.S. tomato producers 
from unfair trade.''
    However, it is my understanding that there is a growing list of 
violations of the Agreement by Mexican tomato producers and their 
importer partners in the U.S., and that, to date, the Department of 
Commerce has taken no disciplinary action against those violators. This 
inaction will only embolden the Mexican tomato industry to ignore the 
terms of the Tomato Suspension Agreement, and violations will quickly 
grow to the point where the Suspension Agreement is useless in 
preventing injury to the U.S. tomato industry.

   Will the Biden Administration enforce U.S. unfair trade laws 
        aggressively, so they will be effective in remedying the injury 
        caused to U.S. companies, workers and farmers by unfairly 
        traded imports?

   Under the Biden Administration, will the Commerce Department 
        take immediate action to stop violations of the Tomato 
        Suspension Agreement?

    Answer. I understand that the Department of Commerce's Enforcement 
& Compliance unit is vigorously enforcing and monitoring the 2019 
Suspension Agreement on Fresh Tomatoes from Mexico. It is also my 
understanding that this agreement contains unprecedented tools for 
enforcing the agreement, including inspections by the U.S. Department 
of Agriculture for quality and condition defects of certain tomato 
types near the border after entering the United States and the ability 
to perform special audits of up to 40 Mexican signatories and up to 40 
selling agents each quarter.
    I can assure you that, if confirmed, I will ensure that the 
Department continues its rigorous enforcement of this agreement, 
including fully examining alleged non-compliance and possible 
violations, as well as by consulting closely with USDA, its Perishable 
Agricultural Commodities Act division, and U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection, as appropriate.

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