[Senate Hearing 119-236]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
S. Hrg. 119-236
NOMINATION OF ARIELLE ROTH,
NOMINEE TO BE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF
COMMERCE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND
INFORMATION, NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS
AND INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION
=======================================================================
HEARING
before the
COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE,
SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION
UNITED STATES SENATE
ONE HUNDRED NINETEENTH CONGRESS
FIRST SESSION
__________
MARCH 27, 2025
__________
Printed for the use of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILANLE IN TIFF FORMAT
Available online: http://www.govinfo.gov
U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE
62-231 PDF WASHINGTON : 2026
SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION
ONE HUNDRED NINETEENTH CONGRESS
FIRST SESSION
TED CRUZ, Texas, Chairman
JOHN THUNE, South Dakota MARIA CANTWELL, Washington,
ROGER WICKER, Mississippi Ranking
DEB FISCHER, Nebraska AMY KLOBUCHAR, Minnesota
JERRY MORAN, Kansas BRIAN SCHATZ, Hawaii
DAN SULLIVAN, Alaska EDWARD MARKEY, Massachusetts
MARSHA BLACKBURN, Tennessee GARY PETERS, Michigan
TODD YOUNG, Indiana TAMMY BALDWIN, Wisconsin
TED BUDD, North Carolina TAMMY DUCKWORTH, Illinois
ERIC SCHMITT, Missouri JACKY ROSEN, Nevada
JOHN CURTIS, Utah BEN RAY LUJAN, New Mexico
BERNIE MORENO, Ohio JOHN HICKENLOOPER, Colorado
TIM SHEEHY, Montana JOHN FETTERMAN, Pennsylvania
SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO, West Virginia ANDY KIM, New Jersey
CYNTHIA LUMMIS, Wyoming LISA BLUNT ROCHESTER, Delaware
Brad Grantz, Republican Staff Director
Nicole Christus, Republican Deputy Staff Director
Liam McKenna, General Counsel
Lila Harper Helms, Staff Director
Melissa Porter, Deputy Staff Director
Jonathan Hale, General Counsel
C O N T E N T S
----------
Page
Hearing held on March 27, 2025................................... 1
Statement of Senator Cruz........................................ 1
Letter to Hon. Ted Cruz and Hon. Maria Cantwell from Mark
Niemeyer, President, Western Fire Chiefs Association....... 42
Letter dated February 4, 2025 to Hon. Ted Cruz from Todd
Schlekeway, President and CEO, NATE........................ 43
Letter dated February 18, 2025 to Hon. John Thune, Hon. Chuck
Schumer, Hon. Ted Cruz and Hon. Maria Cantwell from Nathan
Leamer, Executive Director, Digital First Project; Ryan
Walker, Executive Vice President, Heritage Action; Harold
Furchtgott-Roth, Senior Fellow and Director, Center for the
Economics of the Internet, Hudson Institute; Todd
Schlekeway, President and CEO, NATE: The Communications
Infrastructure Contractors Association; Mike O'Rielly,
Senior Fellow, Free State Foundation; David Williams,
President, Taxpayers Protection Alliance; Evan
Swarztrauber, Senior Fellow, Foundation for American
Innovation; Tom Hebert, Executive Director, Open
Competition Center; Paul Winfree, PhD, President & CEO,
Economic Policy Innovation Center; Terry Schilling,
President, American Principles Project; James Erwin,
Executive Director, Digital Liberty; Gerard Scimeca,
Chairman, Consumer Action for a Strong Economy; Clare
Morrell, Fellow, Ethics and Public Policy Commission; Jeff
Mazzella, President, Center For Individual Freedom; Aiden
Buzzetti, President, Bull Moose Project; Yael Ossowski,
Deputy Director, Consumer Choice Center; Ian Adams,
Executive Director, International Center for Lawand
Economics; Caden Rosenbaum, Senior Policy Analyst, Libertas
Institute; and Ashley Baker, Director of Public Policy,
Committee For Justice...................................... 44
Letter dated February 28, 2025 to Hon. Ted Cruz and Hon.
Maria Cantwell from James Erwin, Executive Director,
Digital Liberty............................................ 47
Letter dated March 4, 2025 to Hon. Ted Cruz and Hon. Maria
Cantwell from Jeffrey D. Shoaf, Chief Executive Officer,
Associated General Contractors Association (AGC)........... 49
Letter dated March 4, 2025 to Hon. Ted Cruz and Hon. Maria
Cantwell from ACT | The App Association, Alliance for
Telecommunications Industry Solutions, CEDIA, Consumer
Technology Association, CTIA--The Wireless Association, GPS
Innovation Alliance, INCOMPAS, Internet Infrastructure
Coalition, Information Technology Industry Council,
Institute for Education, USTelecom, TechNet, Wireless
Infrastructure Association, and XR Association............. 50
Letter dted March 7, 2025 to Hon. Ted Cruz and Hon. Maria
Cantwell from Shirley Bloomfield, Chief Executive Officer,
NTCA--The Rural Broadband Association...................... 52
Letter dated March 20, 2025 to Hon. Ted Cruz and Hon. Maria
Cantwell from Grant Spellmeyer, President and CEO, ACA
Connects: America's Communication Association.............. 53
Letter dated March 21, 2025 to Hon. Ted Cruz and Hon. Maria
Cantwell from David Zumwalt, President and CEO, WISPA--
Broadband Without Boundaries............................... 55
Letter dated March 24, 2025 to Hon. Ted Cruz from Curtis J.
LeGeyt, President and CEO, National Association of
Broadcasters............................................... 57
Letter dated March 24, 2025 to Hon. Ted Cruz and Honn. Maria
Cantwell from Jonathan Spalter, President and Chief
Executive Officer, USTelecom............................... 58
Letter dated March 25, 2025 to Hon. Ted Cruz and Honn. Maria
Cantwell from Fire Chief Josh Waldo, CFO, EFO IAFC
President and Board Chair 2024-2025........................ 59
Letter dated March 25, 2025 to Hon. Ted Cruz and Hon. Maria
Cantwell from Michael K. Powell, President and CEO, NCTA--
The Internet & Television Association...................... 60
Letter dated March 26, 2025 to Hon. Ted Cruz and Hon. Maria
Cantwell from Patrick Yoes, National President, Fraternal
Order of Police............................................ 61
Statement of Senator Cantwell.................................... 3
Statement of Senator Klobuchar................................... 18
Statement of Senator Baldwin..................................... 19
Statement of Senator Moreno...................................... 21
Statement of Senator Kim......................................... 22
Statement of Senator Blunt Rochester............................. 24
Statement of Senator Markey...................................... 25
Article from Bloomberg dated March 25, 2025 entitled ``Musk's
Broadband Satellites Have Long-TermCosts, States Say'' by
Kelcee Griffis............................................. 28
Statement of Senator Hickenlooper................................ 33
Statement of Senator Peters...................................... 35
Witnesses
Hon. Roy Blunt, U.S. Senator from Missouri....................... 4
Arielle Roth, Nominee to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce for
Communications and Information, National Telecommunications and
Information Administration..................................... 6
Prepared statement........................................... 7
Biographical information..................................... 8
Appendix
Response to written questions submitted to Arielle Roth by:
Hon. John Thune.............................................. 63
Hon. Deb Fischer............................................. 64
Hon. Dan Sullivan............................................ 65
Hon. Shelley Moore Capito.................................... 66
Hon. Maria Cantwell.......................................... 68
Hon. Brian Schatz............................................ 81
Hon. Edward Markey........................................... 83
Hon. Gary Peters............................................. 85
Hon. Tammy Baldwin........................................... 86
Hon. Jacky Rosen............................................. 86
Hon. Ben Ray Lujan........................................... 89
Hon. John Hickenlooper....................................... 91
Hon. Lisa Blunt Rochester.................................... 91
NOMINATION OF ARIELLE ROTH,
NOMINEE TO BE ASSISTANT SECRETARY
OF COMMERCE FOR COMMUNICATIONS
AND INFORMATION, NATIONAL
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND
INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION
----------
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2025
U.S. Senate,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
Washington, DC.
The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 2:15 p.m., in
room SR-253, Russell Senate Office Building, Hon. Ted Cruz,
Chairman of the Committee, presiding.
Present: Senators Cruz, Fischer, Moran, Young, Moreno,
Sheehy, Cantwell, Klobuchar, Markey, Peters, Baldwin, Rosen,
Hickenlooper, Kim, and Blunt Rochester.
OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. TED CRUZ,
U.S. SENATOR FROM TEXAS
Chairman Cruz. Good morning. This hearing will come to
order.
Today, I am delighted to say we are considering the
nomination of Arielle Roth to be the Assistant Secretary of
Commerce for Communications and Information. If confirmed, Ms.
Roth will lead the National Telecommunications and Information
Administration, the NTIA, at the Department of Commerce and
will advise the President on telecommunications and information
policy.
As folks here know, Arielle is an esteemed member of the
Republican staff on this Committee. I am not sure I have ever
met someone as passionate about telecommunications law and
policy as Arielle. Her work ethic is indefatigable and only
rivaled by her dedication to public service. If she is
confirmed, President Trump's administration will be blessed to
be getting her great talents.
For more than two years, Arielle has done an exceptional
job as our telecommunications policy director. She has led our
efforts to promote affordable connectivity, to protect the
taxpayer against wasteful spending, and to promote economic
innovation in telecom. And as a mother, she has been a tireless
advocate for protecting children from excessive screen time and
online harms.
If confirmed, Arielle will play an integral role in the
management of the Federal Government's use of the
electromagnetic spectrum. She will work closely with Federal
agencies to protect critical uses of spectrum--whether for
national defense, weather forecasting, or transportation--while
identifying opportunities to free up spectrum for commercial
use. As I have stated before, American leadership in spectrum
is vital to the security of global telecommunications networks,
our own national security, and our economic success.
NTIA also plays a crucial role in administering billions of
dollars for Federal broadband programs like the Broadband
Equity, Access, and Deployment, the BEAD program. Due to
inaction and ideological handwringing by the previous
administration, to date, BEAD has not connected even a single
American to high-speed Internet service. Hear that again--$42
billion to connect zero human beings.
This is the result of prioritizing partisan requirements
like ``climate resiliency'' and rate regulation over actually
connecting those who are offline. Such requirements--which were
never approved by Congress or codified in statute--had
virtually nothing to do with BEAD's intended purpose. Now we
have an opportunity to strip away the fluff and to redirect the
program back to its core mission of connecting Americans to
broadband.
Arielle's qualifications show that she is the right person
for this job. Her telecommunication experience dates back to
her time as a legal fellow at the Hudson Institute Center for
Economics of the Internet. Then, for four years, Ms. Roth
served at the Federal Communications Commission as the Wireless
Advisor for then-Commissioner Michael O'Rielly.
Ms. Roth next turned to Congress, where she worked on
telecommunications policy at the House Energy and Commerce
Committee, and later as legislative counsel to our friend,
Senator Roy Blunt, a long-serving former member of this
Committee who has come back to join us today.
Simply put, her experience, both in Congress and at the
FCC, makes her ideally suited to lead NTIA.
I have received letters of support for Ms. Roth from major
telecommunications groups representing sectors from radio to
Internet to broadband. I wholeheartedly support her
confirmation and look forward to hearing more about her
approach to managing NTIA. And I would note that she is joined
by her beautiful family--her husband, her five children, and
number six, which could arrive at any time, including during
this hearing. So I am going to ask all of my colleagues to be
gentle unless we have to call our colleague, Roger Marshall, to
deliver a child during a confirmation hearing. But I am hopeful
the timing will not exactly----
Senator Cantwell. I thought he was an ophthalmologist.
[Laughter.]
Chairman Cruz. No, no, no. Roger has delivered like 5,000
babies.
Senator Klobuchar. That is Rand Paul.
Chairman Cruz. That is Rand. Rand would do eye surgery,
which would not be the right response. But Roger would be up to
the task.
And with that I recognize the Ranking Member for her
opening remarks.
STATEMENT OF HON. MARIA CANTWELL,
U.S. SENATOR FROM WASHINGTON
Senator Cantwell. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and
congratulations on your nomination. Welcome to your family, all
coordinated there, and this crucial role that NTIA plays in
administering billions of dollars in broadband expansion and
managing the use of Federal spectrum. You have a good advocate
next to you, who we miss having here on the Committee, and we
look forward to hearing from Senator Blunt in a few minutes.
Ms. Roth, I expect to have a very substantive conversation
about your vision and priorities for NTIA. I want to hear from
you about your plans for leading this agency. You have worked
on and spoken publicly about many of these issues for several
years, so I expect we can have that robust discussion.
The $42 billion BEAD Equity, Access, and Development
program I am sure is top of mind for many members here today,
as it is for me. But just to clarify, when Senator Wicker and I
were working together as the Chair and Ranking Member for this
Committee, we did not pass this legislation out of Committee.
It was worked by a group of bipartisan members on the Senate
floor. I think it is safe to say that both Senator Wicker and I
objected to that process, because we thought the Committee of
jurisdiction should be listened to, and that there would be
some haphazardness with the program as it then would be
implemented.
In my home state, where Microsoft has better broadband maps
than the FCC, it is frustrating to my constituents, but we do
not agree with Secretary Lutnick's announcement to just clear
out the changes to the broadband program. One of the proposals
in the broadband program we think is being worked successfully
is the Middle Mile Program, by our colleague Senator Rosen and
others, that was also sponsored by myself and the Senator from
West Virginia, because we think that fiber broadband is a
really good solution for lots of different reasons, certainly
on the security level.
So we do believe that changes could undermine the goals of
helping states achieve these goals and connect all their
residents. I hope that you will commit today to allowing states
to proceed, not just Washington or states like Delaware,
Nevada, and Louisiana, which are ready to do shovel-ready
projects, but hear from you about how you see those plans being
carried out.
My concerns about delays and uncertainty of the program is
that while Elon Musk and others have solutions in the
marketplace--they certainly have been deployed in my state--
people want to understand and make sure there are not conflicts
of interest there and want to understand how those policies and
prospects are going to be dealt with.
I am also concerned that President Trump's tariffs will
impact the cost of materials and ultimately cost us more in
driving up broadband costs. A new study by
Pricewaterhousecoopers indicates that the proposed tariffs
could cost about $126 billion or more across the technology and
telecommunications sector. Ultimately tariffs mean higher
costs, and higher costs mean the dollars will not go as far.
Also, the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program is of great
interest. It is critical to advancing broadband deployment on
Tribal lands as well as important Internet adoptions and skill
rates. Nineteen Tribes in Washington have received funds from
the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program to ensure that high-
speed, reliable Internet is affordable across Tribal Indian
Country. So there is also about $1 billion left to award, and
NTIA must expeditiously, in my opinion, award those Tribal
dollars.
Mr. Chairman, there are many times that this Committee and
the Indian Affairs Committee go back and forth over this, I
would say that the summation of this has been a lot of
frustration about telecom policy not getting carried out in
Indian Country, and then they are being the more directive $2
billion program that was part of the BEAD package saying to
NTIA, ``No, no, no. You do this. We want direct
accountability.'' So we will want to hear about that direct
accountability in Indian Country.
There are other issues that we would like to hear about,
particularly on the issue of cybersecurity and cyberattacks,
including the one at Sea-Tac Airport and the nationwide Salt
Typhoon attack. These are just only increasing in frequency.
NTIA is also responsible for managing spectrum, as you
mentioned, Mr. Chairman, and this job that Ms. Roth is seeking
will serve as the President's principal advisor on these
issues. I have long advocated for an evidence-based approach to
spectrum management and the many challenges we face. During the
first Trump administration, the race to bring spectrum to
commercial market without proper studies or interagency
coordination, most notably auctioning of the C-band for 5G
without coordination with the FAA. The risk of this
interference and confusion that it means to grounding flights
is something we need to avoid in the future.
We also need to have a clear conversation about our
national security interests. And I know that this is something
that Ms. Roth has had a lot of attention on, as here in the
Committee we have had a discussion about middle-band spectrum.
So I look forward to asking you about how we preserve our
national security agenda. That is why I believe that the NTIA
Administrator on this issue is so critically important. There
is a lot to do to achieve security and competitiveness for our
Nation.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Cruz. Thank you. I now recognize our friend and
former colleague, the Senator from the great state of Missouri,
Roy Blunt. And I would note that when he was here one of the
things that Senator Blunt took the lead on was renovating this
hearing room. And as Ranking Member Cantwell observed, he built
this fancy dais with all this high tech here, and she said she
suggested at the time we should put a plaque naming this the
Blunt Dais, and I think that is an excellent idea. And I am
hereby instructing my staff to make it happen, because it is a
great idea.
And with that, Senator Blunt, you are recognized to
introduce the nominee.
STATEMENT OF HON. ROY BLUNT,
U.S. SENATOR FROM MISSOURI
Senator Blunt. Thank you. You might have to include Senator
Klobuchar on that dais, as the Ranking Member at the time, and
a great person to work with. But great to be here with you.
Chairman Cruz. We will take that as a friendly amendment.
Senator Blunt. A friendly amendment. You and I both had the
opportunity to work with Arielle. Your comments about her work
ethic, her dedication to the job, and her family and her
country all are good, and I am really delighted to be here.
Glad to be here with you and Ranking Member Senator Cantwell,
members of the Committee. I am happy to be back in the Commerce
Committee. I served for 12 years on the House Commerce
Committee, and 12 years on this Committee, and I liked every
day of it.
I am most pleased to be here with Arielle Roth. She is here
because of her nomination to be the Assistant Secretary of
Commerce for Communications and Information. I think she is
exactly the kind of thorough and principled leader the
President, Secretary Lutnick, and our fellow citizens need to
have and should have in this job.
Many of you have come to know her well because she has
worked for the Committee for the past 2 years, and for Chairman
Cruz. Prior to her time leading the telecommunications
oversight for the Chairman, Arielle was a trusted legislative
counsel in my office, from August 2021 until I retired in
January 2023. During that time, she handled the entire breadth
of our Commerce Committee portfolio. Everything from travel and
tourism to broadband and telecommunications policy was
something she worked on, worked with members of this Committee
to shepherd the lasting bipartisan bills to the President's
desk, that included restoring the Brand USA. I did that with
Senator Klobuchar; as the principal sponsor of the Low-Power TV
Protection Act, with Senator Wyden and Senator Klobuchar, were
all things that Arielle Roth worked on.
Before joining my office, as you said, Chairman, she had
worked for the FCC and on the House Energy and Commerce
Committee. Obviously, very helpful experience for the job she
has been nominated to.
As many of you know, one of my chief priorities as Senator
was to expand broadband access in underserved communities. When
I started working on that problem, two-thirds of Missourians
did not have access to adequate high-speed broadband. It is
still 30 percent so there is still a lot to be done. Arielle
understood that as we worked together on this, and was
dedicated to trying to deliver those services to people who
were unserved.
And finally, she is surrounded, as you mentioned, Mr.
Chairman, by a supportive and growing family. Frankly, when she
worked with me I wondered how could you have five kids and be
at work every day, but she was, and was dedicated to her work,
dedicated to her family, dedicated to her faith. Faith and
family are an important foundation for those to be entrusted
with public trust, and she certainly exemplifies that.
I know she will serve with distinction as Assistant
Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information, and I
could not be more proud of her today, nor could I be more
pleased to be here with her today.
Chairman Cruz. Thank you, Senator Blunt. I will now
recognize Ms. Roth for her opening statement, and she is
welcome to say anything she likes. But the one thing that is
mandatory is she is obliged to introduce her beautiful family.
STATEMENT OF ARIELLE ROTH, NOMINEE TO BE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF
COMMERCE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND
INFORMATION, NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND
INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION
Ms. Roth. Will do. Chairman Cruz, Ranking Member Cantwell,
and distinguished members of the Senate Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation, I am deeply humbled to testify
before you today and grateful to President Trump for nominating
me to serve our great nation as Assistant Secretary of Commerce
for Communications and Information.
It is a particular honor to testify before the Senate
Commerce Committee. I have tremendous respect for this
Committee's accomplished members, hardworking staff, and record
of bipartisan work. Over the past four years, I have been
fortunate to work for two esteemed public servants on this
committee. Chairman Cruz, working for you to advance economic
growth, innovation, and the rule of law has been an
extraordinary privilege. Senator Blunt, thank you for your
mentorship in pragmatism, bipartisanship, and civic virtue.
I have also had the honor of working for some of the most
principled and respected experts in the telecom field: Former
FCC Commissioners Harold Furchtgott-Roth and Mike O'Rielly and
former Chief of the Wireline Competition Bureau, Kris Monteith.
Of course, none of these opportunities would have been
possible without the support of my family. My parents, Dr. Mark
and Peggi Rabinovitch, who are here today, instilled in me
values of compassion, gratitude, perseverance, and community
service. My husband and soulmate, Yaakov, is the most
incredible husband and father. Our children, Samson, Nina,
Gefen, Rory, and Judah, are my life's greatest blessings, and I
thank God every day for the privilege of being their mother.
I have experienced firsthand the incredible opportunities
America has to offer. This country has given me, and countless
others, the freedom to pursue our dreams, and build a better
country for the next generation.
As a person of deep Jewish faith, it is moving to me to
offer my testimony on the eve of Passover, the holiday in which
we celebrate the triumph of freedom over tyranny. Our Rabbis
teach us that true liberation comes not just from physical
freedom but from spiritual freedom achieved through the pursuit
of wisdom, education, and ethical action. It is in this spirit
that I dedicate myself to the service of our country and
ensuring opportunity is accessible to all Americans.
For the past decade, I have been lucky to work on a special
kind of access to opportunity--expanding access to high-speed
Internet--and assist lawmakers dedicated to advancing
innovation, promoting public safety, defending taxpayers, and
protecting children online. It has been my privilege to work on
bipartisan legislation like the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act
with Senator Markey; the SAT Streamlining Act with Senator
Rosen; the Low Power Protection Act with Senators Wyden and
Klobuchar; and the Kids Off Social Media Act with Senator
Schatz. If confirmed, I will bring this experience and my
understanding of the policy challenges we face today to the
work of NTIA.
One of the most pressing tasks ahead of us is ensuring that
we finish the job of expanding broadband access to unserved
communities. Thanks to Congress's historic, bipartisan
investments in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, NTIA
has a responsibility to ensure that these funds are spent
efficiently, expeditiously, and consistent with the laws
written by Congress. I look forward to working with Members of
Congress on both sides of the aisle to ensure that the BEAD
program is a success and lives up to its bipartisan legacy.
I am also committed to harnessing the potential of our
Nation's spectrum resources while safeguarding national
security. As the President's primary telecommunications and
spectrum advisor, NTIA's leadership is pivotal in ensuring our
Nation's economic prosperity, technology leadership, and
national security. NTIA also plays an important role in shaping
U.S. positions before international standard-setting bodies,
and it is essential that these decisions reflect U.S.
interests. I look forward to working with NTIA's distinguished
career staff, from whom I have learned so much over the past
few years, to advance these policies.
Finally, one of the most pressing communications issues
facing our Nation today is one that is close to home: how to
protect children from online threats and excessive screen use.
As a mother of five--God willing, soon to be six--I know
firsthand what a struggle it can be to monitor and limit kids'
Internet and screen time. If confirmed as NTIA Administrator, I
will look for ways to support the Administration on addressing
these challenges for parents and children.
I look forward to working with Members of Congress,
Commerce Secretary Lutnick, and other key stakeholders to
advance these important policies, and I am eager to contribute
to the continued growth and success of our Nation's
communications networks.
Thank you again for the opportunity to speak with you
today. I am grateful for your consideration and look forward to
answering your questions.
[The prepared statement and biographical information of Ms.
Roth follow:]
Prepared Statement of Arielle Roth, Nominee for Assistant Secretary of
Commerce for Communications and Information
Chairman Cruz, Ranking Member Cantwell, and distinguished members
of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation:
I am deeply humbled to testify before you today and grateful to
President Trump for nominating me to serve our great nation as
Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information.
It is a particular honor to testify before the Senate Commerce
Committee. I have tremendous respect for this committee's accomplished
members, hardworking staff, and record of bipartisan work. Over the
past four years, I have been fortunate to work for two esteemed public
servants on this committee.
Chairman Cruz: working for you to advance economic growth,
innovation, and the rule of law has been an extraordinary privilege.
Senator Blunt: thank you for your mentorship in pragmatism,
bipartisanship, and civic virtue.
I have also had the honor of working for some of the most
principled and respected experts in the telecom field: Former FCC
Commissioners Harold Furchtgott-Roth and Mike O'Rielly and former Chief
of the Wireline Competition Bureau, Kris Monteith.
Of course, none of these opportunities would have been possible
without the support of my family. My parents, Dr. Mark and Peggi
Rabinovitch, who are here today, instilled in me values of compassion,
gratitude, humility, and perseverance.
My husband and soul mate, Yaakov, is the most incredible husband
and father. Our children--Samson, Nina, Gefen, Rory, and Judah--are my
life's greatest blessings, and I thank God every day for the privilege
of being their mother.
I have experienced firsthand the incredible opportunities America
has to offer. This country has given me, and countless others, the
freedom to pursue our dreams, and build a better country for the next
generation.
As a person of deep Jewish faith, it is moving to me to offer my
testimony on the eve of Passover--the holiday in which we celebrate the
triumph of freedom over tyranny. Our rabbis teach us that true
liberation comes not just from physical freedom, but from spiritual
freedom achieved through the pursuit of wisdom, education, and ethical
action. It is in this spirit that I dedicate myself to the service of
our country and ensuring opportunity is accessible to all Americans.
For the past decade, I have been lucky to work on a special kind of
access to opportunity--expanding access to high-speed Internet--and
assist lawmakers dedicated to advancing innovation, promoting public
safety, defending taxpayers, and protecting children online. It has
been my privilege to work on bipartisan legislation like the AM Radio
for Every Vehicle Act with Senator Markey; the SAT Streamlining Act
with Senator Rosen; the Low Power Protection Act with Senators Wyden
and Klobuchar; and the Kids Off Social Media Act with Senator Schatz.
If confirmed, I will bring this experience and my understanding of the
policy challenges we face today to the work of NTIA.
One of the most pressing tasks ahead of us is ensuring that we
finish the job of expanding broadband access to unserved communities.
Thanks to Congress's historic, bipartisan investments in the
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, NTIA has a responsibility to
ensure that these funds are spent efficiently, expeditiously, and
consistent with the law as written by Congress. I look forward to
working with members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to ensure
that the BEAD program is a success and lives up to its bipartisan
legacy.
I am also committed to harnessing the potential of our Nation's
spectrum resources while safeguarding national security. As the
President's primary telecommunications and spectrum advisor, NTIA's
leadership is pivotal in ensuring our Nation's economic prosperity,
technology leadership, and national security. NTIA also plays an
important role in shaping U.S. positions before international standard-
setting bodies, and it is essential that these decisions reflect U.S.
interests.
I look forward to working with NTIA's distinguished career staff--
from whom I've learned so much over the past few years--to advance
these policies.
Finally, one of the most pressing communications issues facing our
Nation today is one that's close to home--how to protect children from
online threats and excessive screen use. As a mother of five (God
willing, soon to be six), I know firsthand what a struggle it can be to
monitor and limit kids' Internet and screen time. If confirmed as NTIA
Administrator, I will look for ways to support the administration on
addressing these challenges for parents and children.
I look forward to working closely with members of Congress,
Commerce Secretary Lutnick, and other key stakeholders to advance these
important policies, and I am eager to contribute to the continued
growth and success of our Nation's communications networks.
Thank you again for the opportunity to speak with you today. I am
grateful for your consideration and look forward to answering your
questions.
______
a. biographical information
1. Name (Include any former names or nicknames used):
Arielle Sandra Roth (maiden name: Arielle Sandra Rabinovitch)
2. Position to which nominated: Assistant Secretary of Commerce for
Communications and Information
3. Date of Nomination: February 3, 2025.
4. Address (List current place of residence and office addresses):
Residence: Iformation not released to the public.
Office: Dirksen Senate Office Building, #512 50 Constitution
Ave NE, Washington, DC 20001.
5. Date and Place of Birth: Montreal, Canada.
6. Provide the name, position, and place of employment for your
spouse (if married) or domestic partner, and the names and ages of your
children (including stepchildren and children by a previous marriage).
Spouse: Jacob (``Yaakov'') Moshe Roth, Partner, Jones Day, 51
Louisiana Ave NW Washington, DC 20001.
7. List all college and graduate schools attended, whether or not
you were granted a degree by the institution. Provide the name of the
institution, the dates attended, the degree received, and the date of
the degree.
McGill University Faculty of Law, August 2009-December 2012
Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Civil Law (LLB-BCL), June
2013
Georgetown University Law Center, August 2011-December 2011
Visiting student (no degree)
University of Toronto, August 2005-June 2009
Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, June 2008
Began master's program in Political Theory in Fall 2008 but
left to attend law school mid-program.
8. List all post-undergraduate employment, including the job title,
name of employer, and inclusive dates of employment, and highlight all
management-level jobs held and any non-managerial jobs that relate to
the position for which you are nominated.
Policy Director, Telecommunications, Senate Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation, January 2023 to present*
Legislative Counsel, U.S. Senator Roy Blunt, August 2021-
January 2023**
FCC Attorney on Detail, House Committee on Energy and
Commerce, April 2021-August 2021**
Attorney Advisor, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Federal
Communications Commission, January 2021-April 2021**
Wireline Advisor, Office of Commissioner Michael O'Rielly, Federal
Communications Commission, September 2018-January 2021**
Legal Advisor, Wireline Competition Bureau, Federal
Communications Commission, September 2017-September 2018**
Legal Fellow, Center for the Economics of the Internet,
Hudson Institute, July 2015-September 2017**
Intern, Federalist Society, May 2010-August 2010
* Denotes management-level job that is relevant to the position for
which I have been nominated.
** Denotes non-managerial job that is relevant to the position for
which I have been nominated.
9. Attach a copy of your resume.
See Attachment 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 after 18 years of age. None.
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. None.
12. List all memberships you have had after 18 years of age or
currently hold with any civic, social, charitable, educational,
political, professional, fraternal, benevolent or religiously
affiliated organization, private club, or other membership organization
(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.
Federalist Society
I have been a member since 2016.
I have been a member of Telecommunications & Electronic
Media Practice Group Executive Committee since 2017.
Federal Communications Bar Association
I have been a member periodically since 2017.
Massachusetts Bar
I have been a member in active standing since 2016.
Conservative Party of Canada
Before moving to the U.S. in 2011, I was a member
periodically since approximately 2004.
None of these groups restricts membership on the basis of race,
sex, color, religion, national origin, age, or disability.
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. None.
15. Itemize all political contributions to any individual, campaign
organization, political party, political action committee, or similar
entity of $200 or more for the past ten years.
Trump 47 Committee (October 8, 2024)--$600
The FEC website lists this donation twice, once under
``Trump 47 Committee, Inc.'' and again under ``Never Surrender,
Inc.'' However, I made a single $600 donation to the Trump 47
Committee on Oct. 8, 2024.
Trump National Committee (July 17, 2024)--$1800
The FEC website breaks this single $1800 donation into
multiple entries: one for ``Trump National Committee JFC,
Inc.'' and separate donations to ``Never Surrender, Inc.''
($1620) and the ``Republican National Committee'' ($180). I
only made a single $1800 donation to the Trump National
Committee on July 17, 2024.
Additional donations on July 13, 2024
The FEC website also lists donations totaling $1800 on July
13, 2024. These included a $180 donation to the Republican
National Committee and a $1620 donation to Never Surrender. I
mistakenly made these donations under my maiden name (Arielle
Rabinovitch) and cancelled them immediately after realizing the
error.
16. List all scholarships, fellowships, honorary degrees, honorary
society memberships, military medals, and any other special recognition
for outstanding service or achievements.
Koch Summer Fellow (2010)
High Distinction, University of Toronto (2008)
17. List all books, articles, columns, letters to the editor,
Internet blog postings, or other publications you have authored,
individually or with others. Include a link to each publication when
possible. If a link is not available, provide a digital copy of the
publication when available.
``Turning Down the Heat on Net Neutrality: A View from Our
Northern Neighbor,'' Arielle Roth (July 15, 2017), https://
www.hudson.org/economics/turning-down-the-heat-on-net-
neutrality-a-view-from-our-northern-neighbor
``The Disingenuous Campaign Against Media Consolidation,''
Arielle Roth, Washington Examiner (June 2, 2017), https://
www.hudson.org/economics/the-disingenuous-campaign-against-
media-consolidation
``Corrosive Legal Uncertainty Remains after DC Circuit's
Rehearing Denial in `Net Neutrality' Case,'' Arielle Roth,
Washington Legal Foundation Legal Pulse (May 12, 2017), https:/
/www.hudson.org/economics/corrosive-legal-uncertainty-remains-
after-dc-circuit-s-rehearing-denial-in-net-neutrality-case
``A Communications Reform Priority: Curtailing FCC Ancillary
Jurisdiction Under Telecom Act Sec. 706,'' Arielle Roth,
Washington Legal Foundation Critical Issues Working Paper
Series (Feb. 2017), https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.hudson.org/
files/publications/201702RothW P.pdf
``How a Trump FCC Could Deregulate the Communications Sector,''
Harold Furchtgott-Roth and Arielle Roth, Forbes Online (Nov.
10, 2016), https://www.hudson.org/economics/how-a-trump-fcc-
could-deregulate-the-communications-sector
``Sixth Circuit Protects Federalism from an Overreaching
Federal Communications Commission,'' Harold Furchtgott-Roth and
Arielle Roth, Washington Legal Foundation Legal Pulse (Aug. 18,
2016), https://www.hudson.org/economics/sixth-circuit-protects-
federalism-from-an-overreaching-federal-communications-
commission
``Three Issues to Watch as the FCC Writes Privacy Rules for
Broadband Companies,'' Arielle Roth, American Bar Association
Administrative and Regulatory Law News (Aug. 15, 2016), https:/
/www.hudson.org/economics/three-issues-to-watch-as-the-fcc-
writes-privacy-rules-for-broadband-companies
``How the FCC's Proposed Privacy Rules Would Create a False
Sense of Consumer Privacy,'' Harold Furchtgott-Roth and Arielle
Roth, Forbes Online (March 31, 2016), https://www.hudson.org/
economics/how-the-fcc-s-proposed-privacy-rules-would-create-a-
false-sense-of-consumer-privacy
``Why the FCC's Proposed Privacy Rules Would Hurt Consumers,''
Harold Furchtgott-Roth and Arielle Roth, Forbes Online (March
14, 2016), https://www.hudson.org/economics/why-the-fcc-s-
proposed-privacy-rules-would-hurt-consumers
``How the FCC Betrayed America's Faith in the Rule of Law,''
Harold Furchtgott-Roth and Arielle Roth, Forbes Online (March
2, 2016), https://www.hudson.org/economics/how-the-fcc-
betrayed-america-s-faith-in-the-rule-of-law
``Tim Cook's Sleight of Hand,'' Harold Furchtgott-Roth and
Arielle Roth, Forbes Online (Feb. 24, 2016), https://
www.hudson.org/national-security-defense/tim-cook-s-sleight-of-
hand
``Answering Four Questions on the Anniversary of the
Telecommunications Act of 1996,'' Harold Furchtgott-Roth and
Arielle Roth, Federal Communications Law Journal (Feb. 12,
2016), http://www.fclj.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/68.1.2-
HFR-Comment.pdf
``Racial Diversity Lawsuit Exposes Lawless FCC,'' Arielle Roth,
CapX (Feb. 8, 2016), https://www.hudson.org/economics/racial-
diversity-lawsuit-exposes-lawless-fcc
``Net Neutrality's Religious Freedom Problem,'' Arielle Roth,
CapX (Jan. 12, 2016), https://www.hudson.org/technology/net-
neutrality-s-religious-freedom-problem
``Why Mark Zuckerberg Should Beware of the FCC,'' Harold
Furchtgott-Roth and Arielle Roth, Forbes Online (Dec. 11,
2015), https://www.hudson.org/economics/why-mark-zuckerberg-
should-beware-of-the-fcc
``Why ISIS Celebrates the FCC's Network Neutrality Rules,''
Harold Furchtgott-Roth and Arielle Roth, CapX (Dec. 4, 2015),
https://www.hudson.org/national-security-defense/why-isis-
celebrates-the-fcc-s-network-neutrality-rules
``FCC Should Not Remain Silent on Berkeley's Junk-Science
Wireless Warnings,'' Harold Furchtgott-Roth and Arielle Roth,
Washington Legal Foundation Legal Pulse (Oct. 9, 2015), https:/
/www.hudson.org/technology/fcc-should-not-remain-silent-on-
berkeley-s-junk-science-wireless-warnings
``Constitutional Challenges to Dodd-Frank,'' Arielle
Rabinovitch, the Antitrust Bulletin (Dec. 1, 2013), https://
journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0003
603X1305800406?journalCode=abxa
18. List all speeches, panel discussions, and presentations (e.g.,
PowerPoint) that you have given on topics relevant to the position for
which you have been nominated. Include a link to each publication when
possible. If a link is not available, provide a digital copy of the
speech or presentation when available.
Mobile World Congress, Wireless Leadership on the Hill: Panel (Oct. 8,
2024)
Panelist
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6chxilRKKE
Federalist Society, ``The Broadband Economy--$42 Billion Infusion and a
Newly-Minted Biden FCC: What lies ahead?'' (June 11, 2024)
Panelist
Video: https://fedsoc.org/events/the-broadband-economy-42-
billion-infusion-and
-a-newly-minted-biden-fcc-what-lies-ahead
Federalist Society, ``Consumers' Research v. FCC and the Legality of
the Universal Service Fund Contribution Regime'' (July 19, 2022)
Moderated panel discussion
Video: https://fedsoc.org/events/consumers-research-v-fcc-
and-the-legality-of-the
-universal-service-fund-contribution-regime
NTCA Telecom Executive Policy Summit, FCC Staff Panel Discussion (Nov.
18, 2019)
Panelist
Recording not available.
19. List all public statements you have made during the past ten
years, including statements in news articles and radio and podcasts and
television appearances, which are on topics relevant to the position
for which you have been nominated, including dates. Include a link to
each statement when possible. If a link is not available, provide a
digital copy of the statement when available.
To my knowledge, I have not made any public statements that fit
this category.
20. List all 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 full name of an ``alias'' or ``handle'',
including the complete URL and username with hyperlinks, 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.
X: @ArielleRoth, https://x.com/ArielleRoth (active)
Facebook: Arielle Roth, https://www.facebook.com/
arielle.roth.9/ (active)
Instagram: ariellerabroth, https://www.instagram.com/
ariellerabroth (active)
LinkedIn: Arielle Roth, https://www.linkedin.com/in/arielle-
roth-868b8522 (active)
21. 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, committee, and subject
matter of each testimony.
I have never testified orally or in writing before Congress.
22. Given the current mission, major programs, and major
operational objectives of the department/agency/commission/corporation
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?
Having served in senior roles in Congress and the FCC over the past
decade, I bring significant experience and understanding of the policy
issues facing our Nation today with respect to broadband connectivity,
spectrum policy, and technological innovation. As Assistant Secretary
of Commerce for Communications and Information, I would be honored to
promote connectivity and free expression, advance U.S. technology
leadership, and protect the interests of taxpayers.
23. What do you believe are your responsibilities, if confirmed, to
ensure that the department/agency/commission/corporation has proper
management and accounting controls, and what experience do you have in
managing a large organization?
If confirmed, I will work to ensure that NTIA operates efficiently
and effectively to protect the interests of American taxpayers,
including by promptly addressing recommendations and deficiencies
identified by the Inspector General of the Department of Commerce and
the Government Accountability Office. I believe that my experience with
the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
managing staff and balancing the interests of members and outside
parties with business before the Committee, will help me lead the
agency effectively.
24. What do you believe to be the top three challenges facing the
department/agency/commission/corporation, and why?
1. Finishing the job of connecting all Americans to broadband
internet: Congress allocated a historic amount of funding to
NTIA in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to connect
Americans to broadband and it is incumbent on the agency to
ensure that this funding is spent effectively, consistent with
the law as written by Congress.
2. Unlocking the potential of our Nation's spectrum resources while
protecting national security: As the President's primary
advisor on spectrum, strong leadership from NTIA is key to our
Nation's economic prosperity, technology leadership, and
security.
3. Restoring America's leadership at international
telecommunications standard-setting bodies: NTIA has a critical
role to play in developing U.S. positions at the International
Telecommunications Union and World Radiocommunication
Conference and ensuring international spectrum decisions are
driven by U.S. interests--not those of our adversaries.
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, such as a 401(k) or pension plan.
I have no such financial arrangements, deferred compensation
agreements, or other continuing dealings with business associates,
clients, or customers. My only pension arrangements are through my
Federal government service.
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. None.
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
the U.S. Office of Government Ethics and the Department of Commerce's
Designated Agency Ethics Official to identify potential conflicts of
interest. If confirmed, any potential conflicts of interest will be
resolved in accordance with the terms of the ethics agreement I have
entered into with the Department's Designated Agency Ethics Official.
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.
In connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with
the U.S. Office of Government Ethics and the Department of Commerce's
Designated Agency Ethics Official to identify potential conflicts of
interest. If confirmed, any potential conflicts of interest will be
resolved in accordance with the terms of the ethics agreement I have
entered into with the Department's Designated Agency Ethics Official.
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.
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.
None, except in my role as a Congressional staffer.
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, an Inspector General, professional association, disciplinary
committee, or other professional group? No.
If yes:
a. Provide the name of the court, 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.
2. Have you ever been investigated, arrested, charged, or held by
any Federal, State, or other law enforcement authority of any Federal,
State, county, municipal, or foreign government 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
assault, 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/commission/
corporation complies with deadlines for information set by
congressional committees, and that your department/agency/commission/
corporation endeavors to timely comply with requests for information
from individual Members of Congress, including requests from members in
the minority?
If confirmed, I would work diligently with my staff to ensure
compliance with deadlines and requests for information.
2. Will you ensure that your department/agency/commission/
corporation does whatever it can to protect congressional witnesses and
whistleblowers 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.
______
Attachment A
Chairman Cruz. Before you are excused, Senator Blunt, I
will say the Ranking Member asked if you also wore a pink tie
to be in complete harmony.
Senator Blunt. It is sort of pink. It is almost coordinated
with the group. I am impressed by this coordination of the
group myself.
Chairman Cruz. Well, thank you. All right, we will start
with questioning.
As I noted in my opening statement, your extensive policy
experience is impressive and makes you eminently qualified to
lead NTIA. I appreciate your many years of public service,
including your very hard work as a part of my team here on this
Committee.
Why don't we start with this. Why do you want to be the
Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and
Information?
Ms. Roth. Thank you, Senator. Expanding access to
communications and technology is extremely meaningful work. It
has lifted people out of poverty. It has fostered innovation.
It has expanded opportunities for speech and information. NTIA
has an incredible opportunity to deliver on these goals through
broadband, through spectrum, as well as through advising the
President on Internet policy. I intend to ensure that NTIA
succeeds in these missions.
Chairman Cruz. As you noted, the NTIA is the lead agency
for managing Federal spectrum, including critical midband
spectrum. Over the past several years, Majority Leader Thune,
Senator Blackburn, and I have collaborated on a bill that would
require NTIA to identify a clear pipeline of midband spectrum
that can be used more efficiently, and following feasibility
studies and established processes, allow for commercial use. To
lead the world in 5G and 6G, to bolster our economy, and to
ensure that it is America and not China that sets the
technology standards of the future, we must expand commercial
access to midband spectrum.
Will you commit to working closely with me and with this
Committee to expand commercial sector access to spectrum while,
at the same time, protecting U.S. national security interests?
Ms. Roth. Absolutely, Senator. National security needs to
be paramount in any discussion over expanding access to
spectrum. I am optimistic that by working together, we have the
brightest minds in the country, we can find a path forward to
advance our international technology leadership while
protecting national security.
Chairman Cruz. As you know, President Trump has called for
the United States to have its own Iron Dome missile defense
system. The Defense Department says they need every ounce of
spectrum that they currently occupy and they cannot coexist
with commercial users and their vast spectrum holdings,
particularly if they need to build an Iron Dome system. What is
your judgment? Can DoD build an Iron Dome and coexist with
commercial spectrum users?
Ms. Roth. Thank you, Senator. First, at the outset, I thank
God for the Iron Dome system. I have family in Israel, and it
has saved their lives. So I would never do anything to
jeopardize our ability to develop such a system here at home.
And I am optimistic that by working together, we have some
of the brightest minds of this country working on spectrum,
working on feasibility studies, that we can find a way forward
and have such a system at home without endangering national
security.
Chairman Cruz. As you know, NTIA administers the BEAD
program, a $42 billion broadband deployment program, authorized
by Congress, under the Infrastructure, Investment, and Jobs
Act. During the last administration, NTIA saddled BEAD with a
variety of extraneous and burdensome requirements. As a result,
after nearly 4 years, not a single American household has been
connected to the internet.
In a departing screed to his colleagues, Biden's head of
BEAD claimed that climate, labor, and other requirements,
quote, ``were inserted by the prior administration for
messaging political purposes, and were never central to the
mission of the program.'' I agree. They were never central to
the mission. But it appears that the Biden mission was to avoid
connecting even a single American household, to which I say
mission accomplished. That is over now.
Will you commit to working closely with this Committee to
remove these extraneous requirements and refocus the BEAD
program on its actual purpose, which is connecting Americans to
broadband in a cost-effective and timely manner?
Ms. Roth. Yes, Senator. At the outset, I want the BEAD
program to be a success. I want to connect every remaining
American who currently lacks access to high-speed Internet as
expeditiously, efficiently, and effectively as possible. I
believe that we can deliver on this goal, and I am committed to
it.
Chairman Cruz. Now, some in the media, and some perhaps
even in this room, want to convince the American people that
fixing BEAD is part of some dark and sinister plot to benefit
Elon Musk, by opening up the program to Starlink. And I would
put the former head of BEAD in that camp, as well. Yet
rightsizing BEAD may involve removing the thumb on the scale
that the Biden administration placed in favor of fiber, and
doing so is simply following the law as Congress wrote it.
BEAD was written to be tech neutral. America is a big
country. While fiber might make sense in some areas, hybrid
fiber, fixed wireless, and yes, even satellite-based Internet
might be a smarter choice in other areas. That is not grift; it
is good government. It is basic common sense.
Americans have waited long enough to get connected. It is
time to do it, and we must use every tool in the kit to get
broadband deployed as quickly and efficiently as possible. Will
you commit to overseeing the BEAD program with an eye toward
deploying broadband without favor to any particular technology,
individual, or company?
Ms. Roth. Absolutely, Senator. If I am confirmed, my
mission will be to deliver broadband to the American people,
not to serve any individual or company.
Chairman Cruz. Thank you. Ranking Member Cantwell.
Senator Cantwell. I am going to defer to my colleague,
Senator Klobuchar.
Chairman Cruz. OK. Senator Klobuchar.
STATEMENT OF HON. AMY KLOBUCHAR,
U.S. SENATOR FROM MINNESOTA
Senator Klobuchar. Thank you. Thank you very much. Welcome,
Ms. Roth. I enjoyed our discussion in the car as I was driving
around Minnesota last week, and I have especially enjoyed your
very well-behaved kids. I note that your son asserting his
independence with reading the book the entire time, with some
memory of my own daughter at that age, except she would sit in
the front row. I would be giving a speech, and she would read
the book like this.
[Holds book up to her face.]
[Laughter.]
Senator Klobuchar. So you have accomplished much that that
is not happening.
I did enjoy working with you. I know you worked with our
staff on not just the Low-Power Protection Act but also Brand
USA with Senator Blunt, the STURDY Act, as well as all the work
that we did on travel and tourism. So thank you for that.
I wanted to follow up on some of the questions on the
broadband bill. I never really liked that BEAD name. I just
call it the broadband bill. And I know that my state and many
others have invested a lot of energy and capital in complying
with the current rules, as they should do, and that we do not
want to start from scratch. We do not want to delay this
anymore. And we just are worried that anything that would make
it more disruptive would be problematic. And if confirmed, how
will you ensure that states, including Minnesota, can proceed
with their broadband plans as expeditiously as possible?
Ms. Roth. Thank you, Senator. I realize there was one other
vote we worked on together, Virginia Graeme Baker.
Senator Klobuchar. Oh, that was a big deal, on the swimming
pools. It actually saved a lot of lives, yes. Yes, that was a
big deal.
Ms. Roth. Thank you, Senator. If I am honored to be
confirmed, my primary objective would be to get broadband
buildout to every last American as expeditiously as possible. I
think that it has been more than 3 years since the IIJA was
passed. I think there is frustration that we have not made
significant progress in getting shovels in the ground. We do
not have a single location connected yet. I want to solve that,
and I want to get broadband to everyone in America and every
single one of your constituents.
Senator Klobuchar. OK. Very good. I understand the desire
to strip out any needless requirements from the programs, but
we must not, in the words of one of the people in the last
administration dealing with this, ``strip away from states the
flexibility to get the best connections for their people.''
If confirmed, would you implement a spending cap on the
program, and if so, at what thresholds would you set it?
Ms. Roth. Thank you, Senator. I agree that we should be
stripping out red tape and bureaucracy of the program to get
the program on track and expedited. In terms of a spending cap,
I would want to speak with NTIA's distinguished career staff to
know what, if any, authority NTIA has. I would want to confer
with NTIA distinguished career staff.
Senator Klobuchar. OK. Universal Service Fund, we talked
about this one the phone. I care a lot about this. Senator
Thune and I have done some work on this together. Supreme Court
just had their arguments on this. I will not ask you to predict
what happens, but it appeared there was some concern about
throwing out the fund.
As we discussed, we have to continue to ensure that we
maximize Federal resources dedicated to expanding broadband
access. I have been working across the aisle to strengthen
funding mechanisms for USF, which allows for providers to
connect the most hard-to-reach areas to high-speed internet. If
confirmed, would you work with me and others on the Committee
to expand the funding base for universal service?
Ms. Roth. Thank you, Senator. NTIA does not administer the
USF. That is the domain of the FCC. Of course, there is a lot
of overlap between broadband programs----
Senator Klobuchar. Exactly.
Ms. Roth--and I look forward to working the FCC on the goal
of delivering broadband to all Americans and coordinating our
efforts. And I would be happy to work with you on any efforts
in that domain.
Senator Klobuchar. OK. Last, I know the Chairman asked you
about the spectrum funds. I chair the 911 Caucus, and am co-
chair of it. And I have led legislation with Senator Cortez
Masto to modernize America's 911 system, for obvious reasons.
People are no longer just dialing in from landlines and they
want to send photos, people want to get--firefighters get
pictures of burning buildings on their phones so they can be
safer in the specs and which part they enter in a building.
Do you believe Congress could leverage spectrum auctions to
help modernize our 911 infrastructure?
Ms. Roth. Thank you, Senator. As a parent who has had to
dial 911 before, and God forbid everything was OK and I only
had to do it once, I know how important it is to have properly
working 911 infrastructure. I know there are challenges in
rural areas. I would be happy to work with you. Ultimately,
Congress decides where spectrum auction proceeds go.
Senator Klobuchar. OK. Thank you.
Chairman Cruz. Thank you.
Senator Klobuchar. Thank you, Senator Cantwell.
Chairman Cruz. Senator Baldwin.
STATEMENT OF HON. TAMMY BALDWIN,
U.S. SENATOR FROM WISCONSIN
Senator Baldwin. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and Ranking
Member. Ms. Roth, it was lovely to meet with you and talk about
your vision for NTIA. I want to start by talking about the BEAD
program also. It was established in the Bipartisan
Infrastructure Law, and NTIA and all 50 states have been
working to implement BEAD to bridge the digital divide in the
United States.
I was proud to help work to make sure that Wisconsin
received an adequate sum. We received an award of slightly
north of $1.1 billion in BEAD funding to expand access to high-
quality, high-speed internet. Just last month, Wisconsin ended
the application period for the first round of BEAD funding, and
we are very excited to keep on moving ahead.
But at the beginning of this month, Commerce Secretary
Lutnick announced a rigorous review, as he said, of the BEAD
program, and I am concerned that this rigorous review could
slow down our progress to deliver broadband access. So as
Administrator, will you commit to ensuring that states are able
to continue to move forward with approved BEAD plans without
interference from this new Administration?
Ms. Roth. Thank you, Senator, and thank you for meeting
with me. If confirmed, my goal with the BEAD program would be
to get broadband to every last unserved American as
expeditiously as possible. I would hope that any review of the
BEAD program would be done quickly, with an eye to expediting
deployment. It is not just about expediting paperwork,
expediting funding, but ultimately expediting deployment. And
if there are ways that we can expedite that shovels-in-the-
ground side of the program, I would want to find such ways.
Senator Baldwin. Thank you. Our Chairman asked you a little
bit about administering BEAD without favor to any particular
technology or company, and I would like to inquire a little bit
more deeply. Because the Secretary has talked about this
rigorous review of BEAD, and there is some indication that
there may be suggestions to give more favor to satellite
technology in terms of connecting people with high-speed
internet.
So how are you going to ensure that you are administering
this, again without favor to a particular technology or
company, particularly one that is overseen by somebody who has
a very outsized role in this Administration, Elon Musk,
especially if the Secretary is pushing you in that regard?
Ms. Roth. Thank you, Senator. If confirmed, as I said to
Chairman Cruz, if I am fortunate to be confirmed, I will
administer the program to the benefit of the American people,
not any single individual or company. I believe that Congress
wrote the BEAD program legislation in a tech-neutral manner,
and tech-neutral goes both ways. Like we would not want to have
only one technology, like fiber, as the only solution, nor
would a separate technology be the only one that would be
funded by the program.
Senator Baldwin. When we met we talked about Buy America
requirements that are in the BEAD and in the entire Bipartisan
Infrastructure Law. And I got a chance to tell you a little bit
about some of the jobs that have been created in Wisconsin
because of the last administration's action being proactive to
use our Buy America, Build America rules to bring jobs to the
United States. Can you commit to enforcing the Buy America
rules and requirements at NTIA?
Ms. Roth. Thank you, Senator. Advancing American
manufacturing is very important, and if confirmed, I would want
to find a way forward to deliver on the goal of advancing
American manufacturing and an America First policy that this
Administration has supported, with the goal of building out
broadband as expeditiously as possible, and I would look
forward to working with your office on this issue.
Senator Baldwin. And when waivers exist or are sought, what
approach would you take in reviewing waivers of the Buy America
requirements?
Ms. Roth. Thank you, Senator. I will always abide by the
law. As I have not been confirmed, I would like to have the
chance to discuss that with the agency's esteemed experts. But
I absolutely look forward to working with your office to ensure
that that process abides by the goals of both Buy America as
well as the BEAD program.
Senator Baldwin. Mr. Chairman, I have run out of time.
Chairman Cruz. Thank you. Senator Kim.
Senator Kim. Thank you, Chairman.
Chairman Cruz. Oh, apparently I skipped Senator Moreno. I
had looked down and it was empty, and you snuck in stealthily.
I should warn you that the United Kingdom apparently has a
problem with ninjas, and we may have a ninja on this Committee.
So Senator Moreno, and then Senator Kim.
STATEMENT OF HON. BERNIE MORENO,
U.S. SENATOR FROM OHIO
Senator Moreno. You know, it is, just for the record, proof
that Cubans and Colombians have a long history of animosity.
[Laughter.]
Senator Moreno. I do not blame them. They had a little
[inaudible] confidence, so it is good. We have better coffee.
They get very, very upset by that.
First of all, congratulations. And I thank the staff who is
sitting around the table, that does enormous amounts of work,
you put in all the hard hours and you wonder what am I doing. I
think you are an inspiration to all of them. Despite your
choice of what Senate office you worked for, congratulations to
being in that position. It has got to be really cool for you to
do this. And again, also thank you for being willing to serve
your country the way you are doing it.
Just some quick questions. How is NTIA, in your mind,
ensuring that its broadband investments are not duplicating
funding from dozens of other Federal programs?
Ms. Roth. Thank you, Senator. This is an issue I have
thought about and worked on, my career in telecom. I think GAO
reported that there are 130 different broadband programs across
the Federal Government. Coordination is really important. It
would be one of my goals, if I am fortunate to be confirmed as
administrator. I would also welcome the opportunity to work
with your office on this issue.
Senator Moreno. OK. And at the last World Radio Conference,
many criticized the U.S. delegation for disorganization. Many
say this allowed China to pursue their aims at the conference
unfettered. As NTIA provides expertise to the delegation, what
will you do to support the World Radio Conference efforts?
Ms. Roth. Thank you, Senator. It a really important issue
with the World Radio Communication Conference coming up in
2027. It is two years away, but we need to develop unified
positions expeditiously. NTIA has a role to play in that. And
the reason that is important is if we do not develop those
unified positions, we do not have a seat at the table, our
adversaries will lead the discussion in favor of their
equipment makers and manufacturers, potentially to the
detriment of American equipment makers and manufacturers and
those that serve America.
Senator Moreno. Makes sense. And with technologies like
Starlink rapidly expanding, we are seeing that service
throughout rural Ohio, dramatically less expensive to put up a
$200 receive than a $2 million fiber cable up a mountain. Do
you see that expanding service to remote areas at lower costs
and faster development times? How is NTIA incorporating non-
traditional, low-earth, satellite-based solutions into its
long-term broadband strategy, like I said, especially in these
hard-to-reach areas?
Ms. Roth. Thank you, Senator. Technology has come a very
long way in delivering broadband. I think Congress wanted a
technology-neutral approach to the BEAD program. It served our
country well. It also recognizes that we are a diverse country,
diverse geographically, and not every solution is going to work
in every state or every area. And I look forward to, if
confirmed, ensuring that states have the resources that they
need to deliver broadband in a manner that serves their
constituents.
Senator Moreno. Yes, it would be great to get you to Ohio,
because we need a lot of parts of rural Ohio connected. We
would love to get you out there and visit, once you are
confirmed.
Last question would be, how does NTIA plan to increase
engagement with private industry, including competitive
carriers and nontraditional broadband providers to meet
deployment goals more efficiently?
Ms. Roth. Senator, I look forward to delivering on the goal
of expediting broadband deployment through the BEAD program,
getting every last American connected. And that includes an
all-of-the-above solution. I look forward to working with your
office to achieve that goal.
Senator Moreno. Perfect. Again, thank you for your
willingness to serve. You are supremely qualified for the job,
and I urge all of my colleagues, on both sides of the aisle, to
confirm you quickly so we can get you in there to get to work.
Ms. Roth. Thank you.
Chairman Cruz. Thank you, Senator Moreno. Now Senator Kim.
STATEMENT OF HON. ANDY KIM,
U.S. SENATOR FROM NEW JERSEY
Senator Kim. Thank you, Chair. Thank you, Ms. Roth, for
coming before us. I actually just wanted to build off of
something that the Chairman said in his opening remarks. He
talked about making sure that America, not China, is setting
the tech standards around the world, especially in the telecom
space. And I guess I just want to start with a big-picture
question. How would you characterize U.S. competitiveness right
now in the telecom space, vis-a-vis China? I just want to get
your understanding of where that stands right now?
Ms. Roth. Thank you, Senator. I think we are in a global
technology race again China. We need to ensure that we do not
fall behind, because if we do, that will lead to more
situations to address like Rip and Replace, Salt Typhoon. We
desperately need to ensure that we win the global technology
race, and part of that is ensuring that we have the best and
fastest broadband networks in the world from which we can build
innovation and remain the global technology leaders.
Senator Kim. One of the biggest challenges that we faced
and saw in recent years was just China's aggressiveness when it
came to 5G, in terms of the deployment of Huawei around the
world. What do you think are the lessons that we should have
been taking away from that, and how would you, in this job, try
to make sure that we are pushing forward and thinking about how
to strengthen American innovation at a time of such
competitiveness?
Ms. Roth. Thank you, Senator. I think there are a lot of
ways we can do that, ensuring that our spectrum policy is as
efficient as possible so that we can have the best wireless
innovation in the world. And it is also ensuring that all
Americans have access to digital opportunities, and delivering
on the requirements of the BEAD program is one way to do that.
Senator Kim. One of the things that we were able to move
forward on is this $1.5 billion Public Wireless Supply Chain
Innovation Fund, that is at NTIA. I just wanted to ask, I am
not sure if you have really thought this through in terms of
what your vision would be in terms of that particular fund. It
is something that I have been very interested in, in terms of
how we can use this to potentially scale up, you know, trusted
telecommunications supplies, and not just in the United States
but abroad. I just wanted to see if you have given that some
thought so far?
Ms. Roth. Thank you, Senator. Yes, supply chain security is
very important in winning the global technology race. I am very
familiar with that program and the goals of that program,
combatting Huawei and ensuring that our networks are safe. And
I look forward to abiding by the law. That program was signed
into law, and if I am confirmed, I look forward to working on
it with you and your office.
Senator Kim. Look, one thing to keep an eye out, if you are
confirmed here, is there has been talk about what is the future
of the CHIPS and Science Act, and this particular fund was one
that came through that legislation. So I do have concerns in
terms of about what the future is of that type of innovative
spur that we are trying to unleash. So that is something I just
wanted to flag for you. And just in general, just thinking
about how we can increase our competitiveness, our innovation,
but also better protecting ourselves to try to prevent foreign
adversaries from being able to exploit our U.S.
telecommunications networks as well as the supply chains, as
you mentioned. So that is something I am hopeful we are able to
work together on.
The last thing I just wanted to flag, switching gears. I am
the father of a 7-year-old and a 9-year-old. I see your
beautiful family here, as well. The Chairman mentioned in his
opening remarks that you have been instrumental in thinking
about protecting privacy for kids, with the work on this
Committee. I guess I wanted to just ask for your thoughts here.
Can you speak to how you will try to advance that sense of
privacy for our children with the work you do as Assistant
Secretary?
Ms. Roth. Thank you, Senator. I agree. Privacy is
incredibly important. NTIA does not have a regulatory role on
privacy. NTIA is an advisor to the President on----
Senator Kim. What do you think the President should focus
in on when it comes to privacy for kids?
Ms. Roth. Senator, I am not at the agency yet and I would
like to have a chance to figure out what the agency is working
on, speaking to the distinguished career staff. But it is
certainly an issue that I would want to work on, and I would
look forward to working with your office.
Senator Kim. Yes, look, as I said, if confirmed, I hope
this is something that we can really lift up. I think a lot of
parents are just beside themselves right now, and just would
like to see some strong action. And I think having a young mom
taking the charge on this, I think that would be a really
strong signal to this country.
Thanks a lot. And with that I yield back.
Chairman Cruz. Thank you. Senator Blunt Rochester.
STATEMENT OF HON. LISA BLUNT ROCHESTER,
U.S. SENATOR FROM DELAWARE
Senator Blunt Rochester. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank
you, Ranking Member Cantwell. Welcome, Ms. Roth, to you and
your family, and congratulations on your upcoming new family
member. I thought I was going to be the last one to speak so
that we did not have any breaking news here today, but more are
coming in.
I just wanted to kind of pick up where a lot of my
colleagues left off on the BEAD program and just how you can
tell from the fact that across the aisle everyone is very much
interested in making sure that our country is connected. In
Delaware, we set a goal to become the first state in the Nation
to be fully connected to high-speed Internet with the funding
from the BEAD program, and we will be able to accomplish that
goal with this program. And I hope I can count on you.
I have heard you say, and commit it to others, as well,
that you will expeditiously turn this goal into a reality and
commit to the funding being received as quickly as possible,
particularly because Delaware, Louisiana, and Nevada are three
states that actually have gone through all the steps. We are
right there, completed the whole process, and NTIA actually
approved our plan to connect many of the underserved households
and businesses in our state. And that was approved at the
beginning of this year.
So I just wanted to again encourage you, as one of your
first opportunities to make sure particularly those plans that
have been approved, that you will take a look at them. Can I
get that commitment?
Ms. Roth. Absolutely. One of my priorities, if confirmed as
NTIA Administrator, would be to get broadband to every single
American as expeditiously as possible.
Senator Blunt Rochester. Thank you. And many of the states,
we have submitted these plans but we are different. We are
diverse. We crafted those plans based on experts in our states
and local municipalities. And we hope that you will be
considering the uniqueness of those. Some of the
characteristics might just be our terrain, whether it is
skyscrapers or mountains, whether it is forests or farms, we
are different.
So will you commit to allowing states with approved plans
to choose the broadband delivery technology that works best for
their individual situations?
Ms. Roth. Thank you, Senator. I certainly recognize that we
have a diverse country with diverse geography, and a one-size-
fits-all solution does not necessarily make sense. That is why
we need an all-of-the-above solution to delivering broadband,
and I look forward to working with your office on that.
Senator Blunt Rochester. Thank you so much. I want to turn
to the Digital Equity Act, which as you know was part of the
Infrastructure, Investment, and Jobs Act. More and more we are
seeing technology be prevalent in our lives. I mean, literally,
whether it is the doctor, whether it is the school classroom,
it is really important that we have digital literacy and that
we bridge the digital divide.
Our HBCU, Delaware State University, was one of the
organizations that received funding for high-speed Internet
access for training and workforce development related to
digital literacy. But we also have our Department of Labor that
would provide IT training, as well. They are still waiting on
their funding.
Will you commit to supporting this program, as enacted?
Ms. Roth. Senator, in the Infrastructure, Investment, and
Jobs Act, Congress committed to ensuring that broadband
Internet is affordable for all Americans, and that Americans
have the resources and skills they need to connect. I will
abide by the law.
Senator Blunt Rochester. Great. Thank you. A definition
that was in that Act, of the covered populations, for some has
included controversy. But I just want to clarify that in the
law it is low-income, seniors, veterans, people with
disabilities, and people in rural America. And I think that is
really important, because all of us are affected by this. Our
ability to shop, our ability to even read and go to school, as
I said, is really important. So I am glad that you are
committed to this.
And then, last, I would love to shift to cybersecurity. In
the 9 seconds I have I will ask a question for the record. But
this, too, is also a priority for us, and I am looking to,
should you be confirmed, to work with you on this issue, as
well, particularly around the wor force, because I think that
is a huge issue for us.
So thank you, and I yield back.
Chairman Cruz. Thank you. Senator Markey.
STATEMENT OF HON. EDWARD MARKEY,
U.S. SENATOR FROM MASSACHUSETTS
Senator Markey. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It is good to see
you again, Ms. Roth.
Along with the $42.5 billion that Congress provided for the
broadband program known as BEAD, we also provided nearly $3
billion to help ensure all Americans have the skills and the
knowledge to participate in the online world. Those funds are
critical to ensure that all Americans can benefit from the
digital revolution. In Massachusetts, for example, residents
express difficulties finding jobs online and obtaining other
important services. This funding will help close those gaps.
Ms. Roth, if confirmed, will you commit to fulfilling
NTIA's legal obligation to provide the money authorized and
appropriated by Congress for this program?
Ms. Roth. Senator, I will always abide by the law, and also
thank you so much for meeting with me in your office. It was
such an honor to meet with someone who has had such an
influence on my career with so many pieces of legislation that
you authored in the telecom sector. Thank you.
Senator Markey. Thank you, and I am glad I got to help to
provide employment for you and so many others at the Federal
Communications Commission over the years.
[Laughter.]
Senator Markey. And thank you for that. I am glad to hear
that. Many of my colleagues have raised the Trump
administration's ongoing review of the BEAD program and the
impact of any potential changes of the program. Massachusetts
has been allocated $147 million in BEAD funding, and began
accepting applications from providers in January. Just
yesterday, Arkansas announced results from their second round
of their application process. Other states are in a similar
position.
Given the Commerce Department's review, should states just
stop accepting applications and indefinitely pause their
program, and just save the money?
Ms. Roth. Thank you, Senator. As I have not been confirmed
yet I have not had a chance to confer with NTIA's career staff,
and I have not been involved in the review process. I would
hope that any review conducted by NTIA is expeditious with the
goal of expediting buildout.
Senator Markey. Yes, well, will you commit to a quick
timeline for when the review will be complete?
Ms. Roth. As I have not been confirmed, I am not in a
position to commit to a specific timeline, but I will commit
that my goal would be a very expeditious timeline.
Senator Markey. That is great, because I am very worried
that changes to the program will cause serious delays in
deploying broadband right as states are ready to get shovels in
the ground.
Now I would like to talk about a specific change that the
Trump administration appears to be pushing for BEAD, turning
the program into a subsidy for Elon Musk's Starlink. Under the
guise of making the program, quote, ``technology neutral,'' the
Trump administration may eliminate the program's preference for
fiber and make satellite providers like Starlink eligible for
BEAD funding, in all circumstances.
Ms. Roth, do you support that change?
Ms. Roth. Senator, as I said before, I would administer the
law consistent with the statute, and to the benefit of the
American people, not for any specific individual or company. I
do believe that Congress wrote the law in a technology-neutral
manner, and that means an all-of-the-above solution that
recognizes different realities across different parts of the
country.
Senator Markey. OK. Well, let's be clear. Let's be clear.
The BEAD program never excluded satellite broadband, but it did
limit it. It did limit it to areas where fiber was excessively
expensive. That is in the law. And that is because while
satellite broadband may be cheaper to deploy in some locations
in the short term, it costs far more to service and maintain in
the long run.
So Ms. Roth, do you agree that fiber is a cheaper
technology in the long run?
Ms. Roth. Senator, I would want to confer with NTIA's
career staff before assessing a specific product or technology.
And I look forward to working with you to ensure that
Massachusetts gets what it needs.
Senator Markey. It is not just Massachusetts. It is the
whole country.
Ms. Roth. Absolutely.
Senator Markey. Because this satellite versus fiber
question is very central, and according to a Bloomberg article
yesterday, for example, one state official found that fiber
would save households $15,600 over a 30-year period. And I ask
that article be included in the record, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Cruz. Without objection.
[The information referred to follows:]
Senator Markey. So, Mr. Roth, I strongly urge you to oppose
this giveaway to Elon Musk and ensure that the BEAD program
delivers for all Americans, and that we not adopt a more costly
approach, because that surely will drain the funding that could
have been used more efficiently.
So I thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I yield back.
Chairman Cruz. I thank the Senator from Massachusetts, and
I would note that in 4 years the Biden administration managed
to connect zero households with the $42 billion that Congress
gave them. And one of the reasons was the Biden administration,
I think, engaged in petulant and partisan politics by
blacklisting Elon Musk and Starlink, which is technology that
could have connected particularly households in distant rural
places. And I think it was purely partisan.
And I would note we saw this underscored just last week,
when two American astronauts finally came back from the
International Space Station, when SpaceX flew them back, and
Elon offered, months ago, to fly them back. And because the
Biden administration suffered from Elon Derangement Syndrome,
they stranded our astronauts in space for many months, rather
than accept the only ride back that could bring them from the
Station.
Senator Markey. If the Senator would yield?
Chairman Cruz. Sure.
Senator Markey. I thank you. So, you know, to the extent to
which the Biden administration did authorize, last July, to
contract with SpaceX in order to complete that mission, I think
we should note that it began in the Biden administration.
And to the extent to which if we do move forward now with
deployment of the BEAD program, all I am asking, is if that be
the case, that we just do it in the most efficient way. That is
something that Elon would want.
Chairman Cruz. On that we are agreed.
Senator Markey. And if it is clear that it is fiber and not
Starlink, that that be the approach which is taken by the
Administration. Because if we do it that way, we will save more
money for the consumers over time.
Let's look forward. Let's look to the future and our
opportunities----
Chairman Cruz. You know, I am a pushover when you do your
JFK impression.
Senator Markey. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Cruz. Senator Hickenlooper.
STATEMENT OF HON. JOHN HICKENLOOPER,
U.S. SENATOR FROM COLORADO
Senator Hickenlooper. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Ms.
Roth. I appreciate the time you spent carved out for us in the
office.
Let's start with the Spectrum Relocation Fund. The SRF
provides funding to the Federal Government to research the
feasibility of modifying and, if necessary, upgrading Federal
systems that use spectrum. But it is limited to only
reimbursing a Federal agency where necessary costs to update a
system of, quote/unquote, ``comparable capability.'' Now many
Federal agencies have stated that SRF limits their ability to
upgrade their systems that use spectrum and continue fulfilling
their missions.
So, Ms. Roth, do you believe that SRF could be reformed to
better incentivize agencies to share or reallocate spectrum?
Why or why not?
Ms. Roth. Thank you, Senator, and thank you for meeting
with me in your office. I think we should be trying to find
efficiencies, where possible, consistent with national
security. And I am aware of debates over SRF and how to make it
more effective. It would be an honor to work with your office
on this issue.
Senator Hickenlooper. Great. Well, I think that is
something we are eager to do, and I appreciate your openness to
that.
It is my chance to talk about BEAD, as we all do, and
talked about it a little bit in the office. Obviously, many
projects, but broadband, especially, saw significant
investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. And I think
we believe that improvements can be made that maintain the
community input but improve the permitting process, again, like
we have heard from various of us, moving things along.
What is your view on how NTIA can help states address
permitting issues that may come up as BEAD projects begin
construction? As you are aware, Colorado is kind of a model
child in that sense that we have satellite, we have fiber, and
then we have normal cell towers.
Ms. Roth. Thank you, Senator. As I said, expediting the
program, and specifically expediting buildout, would be my
priority, if confirmed. And permitting is certainly one thing
that I would want to look at as a potential solution to
expediting the buildout side. It can also make the deployment
of broadband less costly, and that is what we want is to get
the best bang for the taxpayer's buck so that our dollars are
stretched as far as possible, so that we can deliver broadband
to all Americans in an expeditious and efficient manner.
Senator Hickenlooper. I think that is exactly the right
approach, and there is certainly a backlog. It is a little bit
like watching the mongoose going through the python. It is kind
of blocked up for a while, but now hopefully it will start
going very, very quickly, and get that money spent wisely.
Again, back to spectrum and a little bit about interagency
coordination. Many would argue that there is always room for
improvement when Federal agencies are trying to work together.
It is not a natural condition of the species. In recent years,
the FCC and the NTIA updated a memorandum of understanding that
goes all the way--it was first signed in 2003--it goes all the
way back relative to planning and coordination of spectrum.
What are your plans, or how do you see us doing the best
job to maintain close communications with the FCC to ensure
that these spectrum decisions are evidence-based and will hold
up over the long term?
Ms. Roth. Thank you, Senator. NTIA has historically
maintained a close relationship with the FCC. That is something
I would certainly want to continue, if I am fortunate to be
confirmed as NTIA administrator. And part of that would be
certainly reviewing the Memorandum of Understanding. If there
are improvements to be made in NTIA and FCC's coordination, it
is something I would be honored to work on.
Senator Hickenlooper. Great. And then one last question,
which you will not be able to answer completely. But I think
relative to your position, assuming that you are confirmed to
the NTIA, there is a rising tide of issues around AI--AI
development, the data center growth, how that affects energy
demand. How would you position NTIA to help facilitate the
resolution of those challenges?
Ms. Roth. Thank you, Senator. AI is very important and
America's leadership in AI is very important to ensure that we
remain the global leader in AI and do not cede that leadership
to our adversaries. I think one way to advance that is through
expanding spectrum access and finding efficiencies, because AI
is going to place increased demand on our networks, so any
efficiencies that we can find consistent with national security
will, in the long run, protect our country and our global
technology leadership.
Senator Hickenlooper. Great. Thank you so much, and I
appreciate how concise your answers are. If you can run the
agency that concisely, there will be good things ahead.
Thank you. I yield back to the Chair.
Chairman Cruz. Thank you. Senator Peters.
STATEMENT OF HON. GARY PETERS,
U.S. SENATOR FROM MICHIGAN
Senator Peters. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Ms. Roth, good to
see you and congratulations on your nomination to serve as the
Assistant Secretary. And it is nice to see that your family is
here, as well. It is not easy to corral all of that, but you
are able to do it, so congratulations.
I believe that one of our biggest achievements over the
past few years was indeed the passage of Broadband Equity
Access and Deployment program, the BEAD Act, which has been
coming up quite a bit during this hearing. Coming from
Michigan, this is certainly a critical program. It has been a
massive undertaking. Michigan has embraced it and believe that
it will connect everyone with the fastest, most reliable
Internet possible.
Right now, Michigan is nearing the end of its procurement
process to identify providers who will bring broadband to over
368,000 underserved locations across my state. And I believe we
cannot move backward with the program. To that end, I have got
a couple of questions for you, and talk about concise, you can
answer yes or no. So you can be very concise with it.
First question is, if confirmed, will you oppose changes to
the BEAD program that would require states to restart
subgrantee processes currently underway, something that I would
believe would lead to over a year of delays. So would you
oppose those? Yes or no?
Ms. Roth. Senator, as I have not been confirmed I am not in
a position to make a specific commitment. I will commit to you
that I would work to expedite the program as much as possible
so that Michiganders gain access to broadband as quickly as
possible.
Senator Peters. OK. Well, we would want to work with you,
if confirmed, to make sure that that indeed happens.
You have previously discussed BEAD program's tech
neutrality. That neutrality, as you know, is already built into
the program. Starlink and other satellite Internet companies
will be eligible to be part of the Michigan procurement
process. However--and this is a big however--up until now
states have been able to exercise the judgment as to when they
can get underserved communities the most reliable, the fastest,
the most cost-effective Internet possible, which is often fiber
optics. It depends on the area. It depends on how rural you
are. A lot of factors. But the states are making those
decisions, based on the unique characteristics there.
So my question for you--again, a yes or no would work--if
confirmed, will you continue to allow states to make a call
about which technology they believe will best serve the
communities in their individual states?
Ms. Roth. Thank you, Senator. I believe that one of the
reasons that the BEAD program has been so slow to roll out is
because of excessive bureaucracy imposed by the Federal
Government. I would hope that we could remove some of that red
tape to get the program in a position to deploy as quickly as
possible.
Senator Peters. So can I take from that answer you say get
rid of the red tape, let states make that decision, the Federal
Government should not insert themselves in that?
Ms. Roth. If confirmed, I would certainly want to work with
all the state broadband offices to better understand their
needs and to ensure that the program is serving the interests
of each state, and not subjecting them to excessive red tape.
Senator Peters. So red tape meaning Federal Government
dictating to a state. You would not want to see that. That does
not sound like what I am hearing from you. A state should be
able to decide their own. Correct?
Ms. Roth. Uh----
Senator Peters. You can be real concise, yes or no?
Ms. Roth. I will abide by the law, Senator, to remove
excessive red tape.
Senator Peters. OK. As you know, the Bipartisan
Infrastructure Law allows states to utilize BEAD funds for
certain non-deployment purposes. I believe it is essential that
we allow states, again, to maintain this flexibility--I am all
about states having flexibility--specifically when it comes to
workforce and digital skills training, but also to allow states
to ensure that communities that newly have access to broadband
actually sign up to connect.
So my question is, if confirmed, will you work to ensure
states have the broadest possible flexibility in the use of
these funds--I think I am hearing that when you say you want to
get rid of red tape. So yes or no, will you work to ensure
states have the broadest possible flexibility in how they use
their funds?
Ms. Roth. Senator, I certainly agree with the goal of
ensuring that states have what they need in order to get
broadband to their constituents as quickly as possible. I will
abide by the law.
Senator Peters. Very good. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Cruz. Thank you. Senator Cantwell.
Senator Cantwell. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Ms. Roth, in
your testimony you basically said a couple of times you want to
make sure everybody gets covered. It is not the direct
responsibility of NTIA, but do you think we should have allowed
the ACP program to end?
Ms. Roth. Senator, I have been nominated to NTIA, which did
not administer the ACP. That was the FCC's role. I agree with
the goal of ensuring that broadband is affordable to all
Americans.
Senator Cantwell. So if you had your preferences you would
prefer that a program like that, even if it was not ACP, you
would prefer a program like that existed?
Ms. Roth. Senator, I have not been confirmed. I do think
the Administration has taken a position on this. I think
broadband should be affordable for all Americans. It is
something that requires an all-of-the-above solution. The
particular way you go about it is something that I would be
happy to work with you on.
Senator Cantwell. Yes. Well, I do think it has been as
affordable for a segment of the population that is below, let's
say, $50,000 to $40,000 of income. The studies and analysis
show they cannot afford it. So I think that is where the gap
is, and my personal opinion is that is what we should have
focused on as we were looking at BEAD.
I do not agree with the critique of the Chairman about the
BEAD program on the length of time and the deployment, because
basically instead of letting the FCC, who I also agree was not
doing a good enough job answering this question, we basically
said, OK, we are going to take it out of the hands of the FCC,
and now we are going to give it to states, and now they have to
set this up, and then they can get the money, and then they can
start the deployment. And that took longer.
So I personally thought we should have drilled down on this
little problem, which is the affordability issue for, you could
call them late adopters. I call them people who cannot afford
broadband. And we should have focused more on that as a
Congress. But our colleagues, who were also frustrated--Maine,
Alaska, various states--you know, very frustrated, basically
said oh no, we are just going to get our states involved.
Well, when states get involved it becomes complex, and I
also do not agree about the Starlink example of not being
something to be concerned about, because we had, in our state--
look, Starlink deployments are very good for particular areas,
and we could see a lot more competition in the future, so we
are not even ruling that out.
But we had decisions made where Tribal areas basically went
ahead and pushed with the state to get a satellite solution,
only to find that they had to have a backcall out, that nobody
had calculated when they made that decision to make that
commitment to Starlink.
So I do think we have to have really smart and technical
people involved in this. I really do think that we have to
figure out how we are going to get broadband connectivity to
lower-income Americans, and I hope that you will think about
this for the record, about how you can commit to that. Because
even though you are not the core entity, I do think this
Committee has said, over time, they are kind of tired with us
not having the solutions and they want NTIA to play a larger
role. We are not giving you that responsibility, but we are
saying they do hope that NTIA plays a larger role on broadband,
in general. And I think that is because they are frustrated.
So that gets me to the next question about technical
expertise. You are a policy person, right? I do not know
everything about your background, but you are mostly a policy
realm, right?
Ms. Roth. I think that is pretty accurate.
Senator Cantwell. Yes, OK. So what do you think that you
will do at NTIA to get a more technical team? The last person
in your job was a very technical person. I am not saying one
thing or another about that. I am just saying what are you
going to do to build the technical expertise under you or with
you at NTIA?
Ms. Roth. Thank you, Senator. I have had the honor of
working with so many technical experts at NTIA over the years,
particularly in the Office of Spectrum Management, at the ITS.
I look forward to working with NTIA's distinguished career
staff and working with them. It is something that, at the FCC,
as well, there were attorneys and then there were technical
experts, and we all have to work together to find the right
solution.
Senator Cantwell. Well, we got into arguments with
agencies. You know, it was NOAA's scientists versus somebody
else's scientists. What is the type of expertise you think we
have to get at NTIA so that we are forward leaning and building
that kind of expertise that we can use to get coordination
within the Federal Government?
Ms. Roth. Thank you. No, it is a good question. I think we
need a mix of different expertise to address the tremendous
challenges that we face on spectrum, on getting broadband
connected. I look forward to working with your office on
ensuring that we achieve these goals.
Senator Cantwell. But you agree, if NTIA is going to play
this role, which I think our Committee thinks that it should,
and historically we have been moving toward this, that NTIA has
to have the technical horsepower to help succeed in the policy
development?
Ms. Roth. Yes. One thing I look forward to is getting to
know NTIA's staff better. I have gotten to know some of them
over the years, and I would welcome the opportunity to better
understand NTIA's staffing needs.
Senator Cantwell. Well, one of the reasons I bring this up
is the Chairman, earlier this morning at a hearing on the fatal
crash at DCA, General Braman, confirmed that despite FAA
warnings the Secret Service and Navy have been actively jamming
spectrum used by aircraft collision avoidance systems at DCA.
So if confirmed, you will play a vital role in that
coordination process.
So do you agree that national security and public safety
risks, that we have to figure out how to work on these issues,
and that NTIA has to help resolve these issues?
Ms. Roth. Absolutely. NTIA has to work with other Federal
agencies to resolve technical disagreements, to ensure that
national security and public safety are protected. It is an
essential part of the interagency process.
Senator Cantwell. So in that regard, do you agree that
NTIA--well, first of all, the report that NTIA did that was
about dynamic spectrum sharing, did you review that? I am
assuming you did. I can't remember if you were part of our
secure brief last year on this.
Ms. Roth. I am not immediately familiar with which
particular report you are referring to. Of course, NTIA has
done a lot of research on spectrum innovation that I am
familiar with.
Senator Cantwell. So do you agree that NTIA, DoD, and other
agencies must complete ongoing studies of the low gigahertz,
you know, 3 GHz and 7 and 8 GHz band, before making a decision
to reallocate that spectrum?
Ms. Roth. If confirmed, I look forward to figuring out what
the status of those studies are and learning more. I know NTIA
has some very accomplished technical experts that are working
on studies, and I look forward to working with them.
Senator Cantwell. So do you think that before we do an
allocation that we should have that information?
Ms. Roth. I believe that any allocation of spectrum needs
to take feasibility studies into account and ensure that our
national security is protected as well as Federal missions.
Senator Cantwell. Well, I am bringing this up because I
think it was your witness, Matt Pearl, Director of Emergency
Technology at CSIS, that was at a recent hearing, and he
basically said yes, before we move forward obviously the
Chairman does have a proposal to move forward without doing
that study and analysis. So I am just trying to understand
whether you think that is vital to do. Because in reality, your
job is going to be the person who is going to try to help solve
all this, right. So I am just trying to get a sense of whether
you are going to move from one position here to this larger
coordination position, and whether you are going to make sure
that the analysis, so important to DoD, gets done?
Ms. Roth. Senator, I believe that national security needs
to be paramount in any effort to reallocate spectrum, and
spectrum studies and interagency coordination are a huge part
of that.
Senator Cantwell. OK. So I am going to ask you, for the
record, to give you a little more time to just say yes or no,
whether that has to be completed. I will write it up for you,
and on the 3 GHz and 7 and 8, whether that has to be completed
before Congress goes ahead and does the allocation. There are a
couple of different ways this could work. You certainly could
write into the reconciliation bill that all that would have to
be done. We are saying it has to be done. And obviously that is
what we accomplished in the last administration is getting DoD
and NTIA to agree. So we would like to see the very technical
analysis that has to happen be done, given the complaint.
So just for the record, my colleagues have asked a lot
about BEAD funding, and that is great. That means I do not have
to ask as much. The BEAD funding allocations, under law,
include $3.3 billion to Texas, $405 million to Nebraska, $451
to Kansas, $1.2 billion to West Virginia, $1 billion to Alaska.
These are commitments that have been already committed, and
households. So will you commit to preserving these allocations
that NTIA made to each state in 2023, including I think about
$1 billion to my home state of Washington?
Ms. Roth. Senator, I will abide by the law.
Senator Cantwell. Is your interpretation of that law that,
yes, you will go ahead and make those allocations?
Ms. Roth. I cannot commit to any specific outcomes as I
have not been confirmed. But I will certainly----
Senator Cantwell. You are saying you do not know what the
Administration is going to do. Is that what you are saying?
Ms. Roth. I have not been confirmed yet. I have not had an
opportunity to look into this issue yet. But I will
absolutely----
Senator Cantwell. Well, you know the policy. You do know
the policy, right? You know that was our intent, and the money
has now been allocated. So it is whether you think that those
commitments made in 2023 should be upheld?
Ms. Roth. I believe that NTIA--if confirmed, I look forward
to reviewing those allocations and ensuring that the program is
compliant with the law. I will always abide by the law,
Senator, and I look forward to working with you on the BEAD
program.
Senator Cantwell. Thank you. I would have like to have a
stronger commitment, but we will get back to you on the 3 GHz
in a written answer. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Cruz. Thank you, Senator Cantwell. I will note
that Senator Cantwell mentioned my pipeline legislation, that
it did not require a feasibility study. Under the terms of the
legislation it actually directs the interagency to identify 600
MHz that can be made available to the private sector, and to
engage in that interagency discussion, and that includes
necessarily a technical and feasibility study. What it does not
do is give DoD the ability to slow-walk studies into eternity
and block spectrum from being made available for job creation
and to ensure that America beats China in 5G and 6G.
I will also note earlier that Senator Markey, somewhat
oddly, claimed that the Biden administration's partisan and
political blacklisting of Starlink because they dislike Elon
Musk, which had the consequence of denying many Americans
broadband connectivity, he claimed it was somehow consistent
with the statute. And I just want to read into the record the
language of the statute, 47 USC 1705(a)(4) which reads, quote,
``The term 'covered broadband project' means a competitively
and technologically neutral project for the deployment of fixed
broadband service that provides qualifying broadband service in
an eligible service area.''
So that was written directly into the statute, that it was
meant to be technologically neutral. And if Elon Musk had
decided to be a ginormous Democrat donor, I have no doubt that
the Biden administration would have pulled out a pinata and
celebrated Starlink providing broadband. But because he was on
the other side politically, the American people paid the price
and did not get connected to the internet.
Senator Cantwell. Mr. Chairman, if I could----
Chairman Cruz. Sure.
Senator Cantwell.--just on this issue. I think your example
this morning at an earlier Committee hearing, we do have
interference, and it does affect the safety of aviation, and
could affect the safety of other things. And so I just hope
that we will get to this point where we are working to make
America competitive by having the dynamic spectrum sharing and
the best expertise as a nation, but trying to put one cart in
front of the other without answering those technical questions
is a big concern, I think, for a lot of people here.
Listen, Starlink, as I mentioned, is providing service in
my state and doing so in great capacity. But I do think that
states, you know, I am not as big a personal fan of what
happened because we moved the technical expertise from a very
technical group of people, albeit they were not moving fast
enough, the FCC, to another group of people at states, and then
they also did not necessarily answer some of these questions.
So I do think that communities need to know what they are
getting, and they need to know that the solution, particularly
on fiber that they may need to have their data also transferred
out of the community, is an important point.
So I think it is safe to say we are going to have a lot of
conversations about spectrum, about broadband, and continuing
this. But I really hope that these various sectors would work
together. I really do believe in the CHIPS and Science Act. I
do believe that one of the competitive things for our Nation is
to get deployment, but also get national security.
So thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Cruz. And it is certainly right that we have to do
these technically correct. I will note that we had interference
at DCA because the Navy screwed up and did not listen to the
FAA, and that is not how this is supposed to operate.
Ms. Roth, my final question is required of all nominees. If
confirmed, do you pledge to work collaboratively with this
Committee to provide thorough and timely responses to this
Committee's requests and to appear before the Committee, when
requested?
Ms. Roth. Yes, Senator.
Chairman Cruz. Thank you. I have 15 letters of support from
various organizations for Ms. Roth's nomination to be Assistant
Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information that I
ask unanimous consent to be inserted into the hearing record.
Without objection, so ordered.
[The information referred to follows:]
Chairman Cruz. Senators will have until the close of
business Monday, March 31, to submit questions for the record.
The nominee will have until the close of business Friday, April
4, to respond to those questions.
This concludes today's hearing. And, by the way, your
children performed their task beautifully. A terrific success.
The Committee is adjourned.
[Whereupon, at 3:46 p.m., the hearing was adjourned.]
A P P E N D I X
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. John Thune to
Arielle Roth
Question 1. Can you detail NTIA's role in the Federal government's
administration of spectrum? Specifically, can you clarify how Federal
agencies coordinate to resolve issues when a conflict arises between
commercial users and Federal agencies' use of spectrum?
Answer. As mandated in its enabling statute, NTIA is the
coordinator of Federal spectrum and assigns spectrum to Federal
agencies. NTIA is also the President's advisor on spectrum and is
tasked with promoting the best and most efficient use of spectrum. NTIA
does not auction spectrum or have auction authority--that is the domain
of the FCC--but has traditionally helped the FCC with identifying
spectrum for auctions.
In its role as the coordinator of Federal spectrum, NTIA plays a
central role in ensuring that Federal spectrum users are able to meet
their critical missions and works to protect these missions when non-
federal users, including commercial entities, seek access to federally
held or adjacent spectrum. While balancing these interests is complex,
NTIA works closely with other agencies on spectrum coordination
primarily through the Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee (IRAC)--
an interagency committee that advises NTIA on frequency assignments for
Federal agencies and other policies and technical issues pertaining to
spectrum management.
NTIA is also responsible for representing the view of the Executive
Branch on spectrum matters before the FCC, including by maintaining
clear and frequent channels of communication with the FCC.
This process helps ensure that spectrum is put to its best and
highest use, supporting innovation and national priorities alike.
Question 2. As the FCC looks to expand access to additional
licensed spectrum, do you expect the same coordination that you have
detailed to continue across agencies to ensure our national security
interests are not compromised in the future?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to not only maintain but, where
possible, improve the close coordinating relationship with all Federal
agencies, including the Department of Defense, to protect national
security and other critical Federal missions.
Question 3. How will you work to ensure more spectrum is used
efficiently and made available for commercial use, including both
licensed and unlicensed technologies?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work with NTIA's technical experts and
other Federal agencies to look for efficiencies in the Federal
government's use of spectrum while protecting national security and
public safety. With advances in technology, there is likely to be an
ever-increasing demand for a variety of users to access spectrum and
opportunities to continue to evolve in our efforts to manage spectrum.
Question 4. If confirmed, will you commit to working with Secretary
Lutnick on his review of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment
program to ensure that broadband funds are deployed quickly and
efficiently to truly unserved areas?
Answer. Yes.
Question 5. The NTIA has not been reauthorized by Congress since
1992. What, if any, specific reforms should Congress consider if a
reauthorization effort comes together, and will you commit to working
with the members of this Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation on a reauthorization effort?
Answer. I commit to working with this Committee on any legislative
efforts as requested. As I have not yet been confirmed, it would be
premature for me to weigh in on reforms to NTIA for Congress to
consider. I would welcome the opportunity to work with your office on
this issue upon confirmation. And if Congress were to pass NTIA
reauthorization legislation, I would faithfully implement it.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Deb Fischer to
Arielle Roth
Question 1. I appreciated meeting with you last week. As we talked
about, you will have a crucial role managing Federal government
spectrum, if you are confirmed to lead the National Telecommunications
and Information Administration (NTIA). I also appreciated your
understanding of how critical the Iron Dome has been to Israel's
missile defense, and how President Trump's plans for the United States'
own Golden Dome--which will need to defend against different and more
complex threats--are essential to our national security. As USSTRATCOM
and USSPACECOM testified publicly on March 26, 2025, these plans
involve key bands of Department of Defense spectrum, including the 3.1-
3.45 gigahertz (GHz) and the 7/8 GHz bands. A few questions related to
this matter are below:
a. In situations of potential reallocation, should DOD co-lead
feasibility studies on its spectrum assignments with NTIA? Please
answer yes or no.
Answer. The Department of Defense should have a seat at the table
in any study or discussion affecting its use of spectrum. Per NTIA's
enabling statute, NTIA oversees and leads the Federal government's use
of spectrum, assigns spectrum to agencies, and serves as the
President's principal advisor on telecommunications and spectrum
management.
If confirmed, I will work to not only maintain but, where possible,
improve NTIA's close coordinating relationship with all Federal
agencies, including the Department of Defense, to protect national
security and other critical Federal missions.
b. Are there segments of the 3.1-3.45 GHz band that should be
auctioned for full-power use, in your view? If yes, would you please
identify the specific frequencies?
Answer. As with any spectrum decision affecting Federal missions,
national security and public safety must be paramount. Since I have not
yet been confirmed, I have not yet had an opportunity to review the
status of studies affecting this band or consult with technical or
national security experts at NTIA or the Department of Defense. As
such, it would be premature for me to take a position on what, if any,
segments of this band should be auctioned.
c. Are there segments of the 7.125-8.4 GHz band that should be
auctioned for full-power use, in your view? If yes, would you please
identify the specific frequencies?
Answer. As with any spectrum decision affecting Federal missions,
national security and public safety must be paramount. Since I have not
been confirmed, I have not yet had an opportunity to review the status
of studies affecting this band or confer with technical or national
security experts at NTIA or the Department of Defense. As such, it
would be premature for me to take a position on what, if any, segments
of this band should be auctioned.
Question 2. Should the estimates of spectrum auction revenues also
include calculations of the relocation costs for incumbent systems?
Please answer yes or no.
Answer. Yes.
Question 3. Do China's lower 3 band frequencies from 3.3-3.4 GHz
have limits for low-power use for indoor coverage?
Answer. Yes.
Question 4. Given that there is no statutory definition of low-,
mid-, or high-band spectrum, what is your understanding of where mid-
band spectrum begins and ends--which two frequencies, specifically?
Answer. My understanding of mid-band is functional, rather than
focused on a defined set of frequencies. It refers to spectrum that
offers a balance of coverage of speed, and is suitable for data-heavy,
reliable, and low-latency mobile broadband communications. Most ranges
I have seen focus on spectrum start between 1 GHz and 2 GHz and end
between 7 GHz and 12 GHz.
Question 5. Do you believe that exclusively licensed spectrum is
more valuable than unlicensed spectrum? How would you prioritize them
in managing Federal spectrum, if you are confirmed?
Answer. I believe that U.S. global technology leadership depends on
an efficient and effective use of spectrum through an all-of-the-above
approach: licensed, unlicensed, full-power, low-power, and satellite
use. The Federal government also relies on a variety of spectrum use
cases to perform critical missions. However, licensing and power rules
regarding commercial spectrum are generally a matter for the FCC, not
NTIA.
Question 6. I am looking forward to Nebraska finally getting its
BEAD program dollars out the door. The state has a strong plan that
abides by its budget, includes robust stakeholder feedback, and would
ensure broadband services reach all remaining unserved households.
a. How long do you expect to see the current review period on the
BEAD program take?
b. If confirmed, would you commit to keeping Nebraska's current
BEAD plan on track without delays?
c. If confirmed, would you implement a new per-location funding cap
on initial BEAD plans that have already been approved? If so:
i. What would a reasonable threshold for a per-location cap be?
ii. Would such a cap be an overall maximum per location, or would
it be a statewide average?
Answer. Connecting every American to broadband expeditiously is my
top priority and I agree that the Department must move quickly to
complete review of Nebraska's plan. If confirmed, I look forward to
working with Secretary Lutnick and NTIA staff to expedite the BEAD
program, get funding to the states, and expand broadband buildout,
consistent with the law. I look forward to working with NTIA's career
staff and state broadband offices to cut red tape and unnecessary
bureaucracy, to avoid further delays and minimize work for states,
consistent with the law.
If confirmed and the issue of a per-location cap were to come up, I
would consult with legal counsel, NTIA's career staff, state broadband
offices, and industry stakeholders, as appropriate. Moreover, a per-
location cap, should it come up, would need to account for
consideration of high-cost areas, including high-cost Tribal areas.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Dan Sullivan to
Arielle Roth
Question 1. As I have shared with this Committee time and again,
Alaska is different, and I need you to recognize that difference as you
take the helm at NTIA. In Alaska, broadband access is critical for our
communities, yet the terrain is unlike anywhere else. The weather is
extreme. The building season is short. And, the permitting process is
challenged by Federal land ownership. No other state has so many remote
communities that are unconnected from any other infrastructure such as
roads or utilities.
In all likelihood, you're going to be put in charge of an
unprecedented amount of broadband grant funding. It is critical that we
get this right. Will you commit to come to Alaska to appreciate our
unique challenges, and to evaluate Alaskan state and tribal applicants
with these challenges in mind?
Answer. I recognize the uniqueness of Alaska's broadband
challenges--something I came to learn through my years working at the
FCC on programs like the Alaska Plan and the Rural Health Care Program.
It would be my honor to visit Alaska. If confirmed, I commit to
implementing all of NTIA's legal requirements, including by taking into
account Alaska's unique challenges when reviewing the state's
applications.
Question 2. In October, NTIA announced that Alaska will be
obligated over $1 billion. I know you are aware of the criticisms that
have been made that the Biden Administration layered on requirements
that are beyond the IIJA law in the BEAD NOFO.
I ask that you remove the Biden-era extraneous regulations as you
review the BEAD program, and do so quickly as time is money for
applicants. We have great needs in Alaska with unserved areas. Will you
commit to that?
Answer. Connecting every American to broadband expeditiously is my
top priority. If confirmed, I look forward to working with NTIA's
career staff and state broadband offices to cut red tape and
unnecessary bureaucracy, to avoid further delays and minimize work for
states, consistent with the law. If confirmed, I will work with
Secretary Lutnick and NTIA staff to expedite the BEAD program, get
funding to the states, and expand broadband buildout, consistent with
the law.
Question 3. The BEAD program's success depends on allowing states
to lead. Alaska knows best where broadband is lacking and understands
the challenges presented by our low population density, extreme
weather, and difficult terrain. Federal requirements should not impose
one-size-fits-all solutions but instead empower states to design
deployment strategies that work for their specific circumstances.
Will you commit to me that NTIA will defer to states in making
choices that they believe will deliver the best possible broadband for
their consumers and communities given the amount of funding they have?
Answer. I recognize that every state is different and there is no
one-size-fits-all solution. I agree that states should have flexibility
to tailor solutions to their individual circumstances, consistent with
the law.
If confirmed, I will work with states to deliver the best broadband
service possible for their constituents, consistent with NTIA's
statutory authority.
Question 4. The unique challenges due to our vast, remote, and
rugged terrain make technology neutrality truly critical to serving
Alaskans. We need a combination of technologies to be available,
including fiber, fixed wireless, and satellite.
Notably, Alaska lacks middle mile fiber, and these projects play a
critical role bridging the gap between core Internet networks and local
communities. Given Alaska's vast and remote geography, reliable middle
mile infrastructure is essential to connecting underserved and unserved
areas and for supporting healthcare, education, and economic
development. By addressing the unique challenges of Alaska terrain,
middle mile fiber ensures Internet access for generations to come.
If a one-sized-fits-all per location cap is put in place for fiber
for projects in Alaska, it is hard to image how any projects will be
built for my constituents. Will you commit to working with me to ensure
that resources are allocated in a manner that takes into consideration
the needs of Alaskans?
Answer. Yes.
Question 5. The Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP) is
intended to spur economic development and create opportunities for
remote employment, online entrepreneurship, remote learning, and
telehealth in remote Tribal communities.
Given the size of the broadband challenge in Alaska--and given the
limited resources available in Alaska to implement this program--some
of Alaska's TBCP projects require attention by NTIA to make sure
funding is deployed efficiently and effectively.
Will you commit to working with Alaska's Tribal entities to address
the unique challenges of deploying broadband infrastructure in our
state to make sure this program works as intended?
Answer. Yes.
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Shelley Moore Capito to
Arielle Roth
Question 1--BEAD Review Status
Mrs. Roth, as we discussed in our meeting, I am very interested in
seeing West Virginia benefit from the BEAD program. While I can't
believe after 3 and a half years we still have not seen a single
location connected from this program. I know that my state is right on
the cusp of having its final proposal ready and will be granted a 90-
day extension of its deadline in late April.
While I am all for improvements to BEAD to speed up deployment
taking a long review and making states like mine wait longer does not
make sense. The review started 3 weeks ago and not many details have
been made public. I did have a productive call with Secretary Lutnick
last week, but I expect that he will rely on your broadband expertise
when it comes to BEAD.
In your opinion, is July a reasonable deadline for the
review to be completed?
Answer. As I have not yet been confirmed, I cannot commit to a
specific timeline for such review. However, connecting every American
to broadband expeditiously is my top priority. If confirmed, I look
forward to working with Secretary Lutnick and NTIA staff to expedite
the BEAD program, get funding to West Virginia, and expand broadband
buildout, consistent with the law. I look forward to working with
NTIA's career staff and West Virginia's broadband office to cut red
tape and unnecessary bureaucracy, to avoid further delays and minimize
work for states, consistent with the law.
Question 2--BEAD State Control
Answer. My state has put in the work for the last 2 years jumping
through every hoop since the Biden Notice of Funding Opportunity came
out. While I am all for tech neutrality and easing lots of burdensome
requirements like the labor mandates--if a state wants to use fiber
they should be able to.
Do you agree that NTIA's role is to make sure that states
are executing their plans to connect people and not dictating
that they use any specific technology that might cost less but
may not be as reliable?
Answer. I recognize that every state is different and there is no
one-size-fits-all solution. I agree that states should have flexibility
to tailor solutions to their individual circumstances, consistent with
the law.
I support an all-of-the-above solution, including fiber as well as
alternative technologies where appropriate. If confirmed, I will work
with states to deliver the best broadband service possible for their
constituents, consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 3--BEAD Deployment Cap
I know that many are concerned about waste and overbuilding in the
BEAD program. West Virginia has nearly 97,000 locations that are
unserved and BEAD eligible.
Overbuilding will NOT be an issue in my state though it could be in
D.C. and other places that are receiving money and have hardly any
locations that are unserved and underserved.
I am also against connecting a single remote cabin with fiber for
$100,000--that doesn't make sense. NTIA's role should be working with
states to prevent this kind of waste in their applications.
Do you support an arbitrary deployment cost cap or should
deployment costs be considered on a case by case basis and
worked out with the states individually?
Answer. I do not support taking any arbitrary actions. If the issue
of a per-location cap were to come up, I would consult with legal
counsel, NTIA's career staff, state broadband offices, and industry
stakeholders, as appropriate. Moreover, a per-location cap, should it
come up, would need to account for consideration of high-cost areas,
including high-cost Tribal areas.
Question 4--Speeding up NTIA's Approval Process
In the last administration, West Virginia submitted their Initial
Proposal Volume II to NTIA in January of 2024 and did not get it
approved until April. I know there has to be some back-and-forth but
waiting 3 months after lots of consultation on the front end is
unacceptable.
What ways can NTIA streamline its approval process so states
like West Virginia do not have to wait and wait when they
submit their final proposal?
Answer. Connecting every American to broadband expeditiously is my
top priority. If confirmed, I look forward to working with Secretary
Lutnick and NTIA staff to expedite the BEAD program, get funding to the
states, and expand broadband buildout, consistent with the law. I look
forward to working with NTIA's career staff and state broadband offices
to cut red tape and unnecessary bureaucracy, to avoid further delays
and minimize work for states, consistent with the law.
Question 5--BEAD Speeding up Deployment
I am frustrated by the long delay of this program and I know it's
been touched on already, but there are a number of things in the Biden
NO-FO that are not only burdensome but will delay deployment.
How can fiber deployment, for example be sped up?
Answer. I agree that NTIA's main focus should be on expediting
deployment and making up for lost time. Reducing permitting burdens and
delays might be one way to speed up fiber deployment. I would welcome
the opportunity to work with your office on this issue.
Question 6--BEAD Legislation
One policy area I care deeply about is permitting reform. Under
Biden's American Rescue Plan broadband projects were exempted from NEPA
approval. Yet right now BEAD projects would be subjected to the
process. This will certainly slow down families from being connected.
How much faster would NEPA exemptions speed up deployment?
Answer. Permitting reform is badly needed in the United States, and
your leadership on that front has been critical in moving that effort
forward. Regarding BEAD projects, it is unquestionable that NEPA
exemptions would speed up deployment. As you noted in your recent
Environment and Public Works Committee hearing ``Improving the Federal
Environmental Review and Permitting Processes,'' permitting delays
significantly and adversely impact a multitude of important
infrastructure projects from water line and bridge replacements to
broadband deployment. While it is difficult to say precisely how much
NEPA reviews delay a specific broadband deployment project, a 2024
report by the Department of Commerce Inspector General estimated delays
could be two years or more just to complete the NEPA review.
Do you support waiving the NEPA process for BEAD?
Answer. As you noted, under Biden's American Rescue Plan broadband
projects were exempted from NEPA approval. In the last Congress,
Senators Cruz and Kelly authored the Building Chips in America Act,
which was enacted in October of last year, to exempt semiconductor
projects receiving funds from the CHIPS and Science Act from NEPA
reviews. Clearly, there is a bipartisan recognition that the NEPA
process unnecessarily delays infrastructure projects, especially in
those cases where the only element of the project triggering NEPA
review is simply the provision of Federal funds or the fact that a
project crosses Federal lands. As you highlighted in your recent
Environment and Public Works Committee hearing, ``Improving the Federal
Environmental Review and Permitting Processes,'' expanding categorical
exclusions, enacting real time limits on permitting approvals, and
narrowing the scope of judicial review for legal challenges would also
significantly help speed up federally supported infrastructure
construction and deployment, including broadband deployment under the
BEAD program.
Question 7--BEAD State Allocations
West Virginia was awarded $1.2 billion and has spent nearly 2 years
coming up with a plan to serve 97,000 unserved locations plus over
15,000 underserved locations. The idea that NTIA would try to claw that
money back goes against what Secretary Lutnick has told me on multiple
occasions. This topic was brought up in the hearing.
Can you commit to not changing the allocated amounts that
states have been allocated?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release West Virginia's
allocated funds consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Maria Cantwell to
Arielle Roth
Ongoing Spectrum Studies. During the first Trump Administration,
there were failures to coordinate on Federal and commercial spectrum
policy. I believe we must create a coordinated approach to domestic
spectrum policy, where agencies such as the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT), Department of
Defense (DoD), and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA) work together with the National Telecommunications and
Information Administration (NTIA) and Federal Communications Commission
(FCC)--cooperatively--on spectrum.
Question 1. Yes or no. Do you agree that NTIA, DoD, and other
Federal agencies must complete the ongoing studies of the lower 3
Gigahertz and 7 and 8 Gigahertz bands before a decision is made to
reallocate that spectrum?
Answer. I agree that rigorous and careful study should precede
decisions to reallocate these spectrum bands.
Question 2. Do you think it's wise to auction Federal spectrum
before technical studies are finished to determine the viability of
relocating Federal systems?
Answer. No.
Question 3. If confirmed, will you commit to collaborating on a
spectrum policy that engages stakeholders from the Department of
Commerce (DOC), DoD, DOT, FCC, and industry, to work towards resolution
to restore U.S. leadership in innovation?
Answer. Yes.
Question 4. If confirmed, will you commit to meeting with the
members of the Interagency Spectrum Advisory Council upon confirmation?
Answer. Yes.
Question 5. If confirmed, will you commit to receiving a classified
briefing about the importance of spectrum for national security from
the DoD and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence within
a reasonable timeframe?
Answer. Yes.
Question 6. Yes or no. Do you agree that we cannot put our national
security and public safety at risk to free up spectrum for sale to the
commercial sector?
Answer. Yes.
Question 7. Yes or no, do you agree that proper coordination of
spectrum use is vital?
Answer. Yes.
Infrastructure, Affordability, and Broadband Equity Access and
Deployment. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provided access
to affordable Internet for 23 million households before Congressional
Republicans blocked efforts to renew the program last year. While the
ACP is now defunct, millions of Americans still struggle to afford
Internet access, even though it is vital for modern life.
Question 1. Do you agree that affordability is a major factor in
our country's digital divide?
Answer. Yes.
Question 2. How do you see NTIA's role ensuring broadband is
affordable for all?
Answer. Congress has directed NTIA to play a role in promoting
broadband affordability by administering broadband programs like BEAD.
NTIA can also help to reduce unnecessary permitting burdens that can
increase the cost of providing broadband and expand commercial spectrum
access, which in turn increases both mobile and broadband competition,
driving down costs for consumers.
Question 3. Yes or no. Do you commit to follow the law and require
all Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) subgrantees to offer
at least one ``low-cost broadband service option,'' as required under
the statute?
Answer. Yes, I commit to following the law.
Infrastructure and BEAD Allocations. The bipartisan Infrastructure
Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) of 2021 appropriated $42 billion for the
BEAD program, $1.2 billion of which was allocated to the State of
Washington to connect households to broadband. The commitment that
Congress made to reach the goal of connecting unserved and underserved
households is well underway, with plans in all 56 states and
territories approved by NTIA, in compliance with the law.
Question 1. Yes or no. If confirmed, will you commit to releasing
all allocated funds to the states that have already had their final
proposals approved? If no, why not?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to expeditiously release
allocated funds to the states consistent with NTIA's statutory
authority.
Question 2. Yes or no. Ms. Roth, do you agree that states need the
flexibility to implement the BEAD program, and ensure that it works for
the people in each state and territory-and that what works in Rhode
Island may not work in Texas?
Answer. Yes.
Question 2a. Yes or no. Will you commit to providing states with
the flexibility to use their BEAD funds to select the providers and
technologies that work best for their unique circumstances?
Answer. I recognize that every state is different and there is no
one-size-fits-all solution. I agree that states should have flexibility
to tailor solutions to their individual circumstances, consistent with
the law.
If confirmed, I will work with states to deliver the best broadband
service possible for their constituents, consistent with NTIA's
statutory authority.
Question 3. Yes or no. If a state like West Virginia wants to use
its allocation to fund fiber rather than satellite, will you stand in
its way?
Answer. No, I recognize that every state is different and there is
no one-size-fits-all solution. I agree that states should have
flexibility to tailor solutions to their individual circumstances,
consistent with the law.
If confirmed, I will work with states to deliver the best broadband
service possible for their constituents, consistent with NTIA's
statutory authority.
Question 4. Do you believe NTIA has the authority to establish a
national per location cap as part of the BEAD program? If so, please
cite the specific provisions and explain your reasoning?
Answer. If confirmed and the issue of a per-location cap were to
come up, I would consult with legal counsel, NTIA's career staff, state
broadband offices, and industry stakeholders, as appropriate. Moreover,
a per-location cap, should it come up, would need to account for
consideration of high-cost areas, including high-cost Tribal areas.
Preserving BEAD Allocations. During your hearing, I was
disappointed that you did not provide a clear commitment to preserve
the BEAD allocations that NTIA made to states in 2023. The American
people deserve clarity on this important question. As such, please
provide a Yes or No response to the following questions:
Question 1. Will you commit to preserving the $1,227,742,066.30
that NTIA allocated in 2023 to my home state of Washington?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 2. Will you commit to preserving the $1,401,221,901.77
that NTIA allocated to Alabama?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 3. Will you commit to preserving the $1,017,139,672.42
that NTIA allocated to Alaska?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 4. Will you commit to preserving the $37,564,827.53 that
NTIA allocated to American Samoa?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 5. Will you commit to preserving the $993,112,231.37 that
NTIA allocated to Arizona?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 6. Will you commit to preserving the $1,024,303,993.86
that NTIA allocated to Arkansas?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 7. Will you commit to preserving the $1,864,136,508.93
that NTIA allocated to California?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 8. Will you commit to preserving the $826,522,650.41 that
NTIA allocated to Colorado?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 9. Will you commit to preserving the $80,796,709.02 that
NTIA allocated to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 10. Will you commit to preserving the $144,180,792.71 that
NTIA allocated to Connecticut?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 11. Will you commit to preserving the $107,748,384.66 that
NTIA allocated to Delaware?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 12. Will you commit to preserving the $100,694,786.93 that
NTIA allocated to the District of Columbia?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 13. Will you commit to preserving the $1,169,947,392.70
that NTIA allocated to Florida?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 14. Will you commit to preserving the $1,307,214,371.30
that NTIA allocated to Georgia?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 15. Will you commit to preserving the $156,831,733.59 that
NTIA allocated to Guam?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 16. Will you commit to preserving the $149,484,493.57 that
NTIA allocated to Hawaii?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 17. Will you commit to preserving the $583,256,249.88 that
NTIA allocated to Idaho?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 18. Will you commit to preserving the $1,040,420,751.50
that NTIA allocated to Illinois?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 19. Will you commit to preserving the $868,109,929.79 that
NTIA allocated to Indiana?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 20. Will you commit to preserving the $415,331,313.00 that
NTIA allocated to Iowa?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 21. Will you commit to preserving the $451,725,998.15 that
NTIA allocated to Kansas?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 22. Will you commit to preserving the $1,086,172,536.86
that NTIA allocated to Kentucky?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 23. Will you commit to preserving the $1,355,554,552.94
that NTIA allocated to Louisiana?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 24. Will you commit to preserving the $271,977,723.07 that
NTIA allocated to Maine?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 25. Will you commit to preserving the $267,738,400.71 that
NTIA allocated to Maryland?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 26. Will you commit to preserving the $147,422,464.39 that
NTIA allocated to Massachusetts?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 27. Will you commit to preserving the $1,559,362,479.29
that NTIA allocated to Michigan?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 28. Will you commit to preserving the $651,839,368.20 that
NTIA allocated to Minnesota?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 29. Will you commit to preserving the $1,203,561,563.05
that NTIA allocated to Mississippi?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 30. Will you commit to preserving the $1,736,302,708.39
that NTIA allocated to Missouri?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 31. Will you commit to preserving the $628,973,798.59 that
NTIA allocated to Montana?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 32. Will you commit to preserving the $405,281,070.41 that
NTIA allocated to Nebraska?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 33. Will you commit to preserving the $416,666,229.74 that
NTIA allocated to Nevada?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 34. Will you commit to preserving the $196,560,278.97 that
NTIA allocated to New Hampshire?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 35. Will you commit to preserving the $263,689,548.65 that
NTIA allocated to New Jersey?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 36. Will you commit to preserving the $675,372,311.86 that
NTIA allocated to New Mexico?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 37. Will you commit to preserving the $664,618,251.49 that
NTIA allocated to New York?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 38. Will you commit to preserving the $1,532,999,481.15
that NTIA allocated to North Carolina?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 39. Will you commit to preserving the $130,162,815.12 that
NTIA allocated to North Dakota?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 40. Will you commit to preserving the $793,688,107.63 that
NTIA allocated to Ohio?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 41. Will you commit to preserving the $797,435,691.25 that
NTIA allocated to Oklahoma?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 42. Will you commit to preserving the $688,914,932.17 that
NTIA allocated to Oregon?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 43. Will you commit to preserving the $1,161,778,272.41
that NTIA allocated to Pennsylvania?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 44. Will you commit to preserving the $334,614,151.70 that
NTIA allocated to Puerto Rico?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 45. Will you commit to preserving the $108,718,820.75 that
NTIA allocated to Rhode Island?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 46. Will you commit to preserving the $551,535,983.05 that
NTIA allocated to South Carolina?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 47. Will you commit to preserving the $207,227,523.92 that
NTIA allocated to South Dakota?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 48. Will you commit to preserving the $813,319,680.22 that
NTIA allocated to Tennessee?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 49. Will you commit to preserving the $3,312,616,455.45
that NTIA allocated to Texas?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 50. Will you commit to preserving the $27,103,240.86 that
NTIA allocated to the U.S. Virgin Islands?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 51. Will you commit to preserving the $317,399,741.54 that
NTIA allocated to Utah?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 52. Will you commit to preserving the $228,913,019.08 that
NTIA allocated to Vermont?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 53. Will you commit to preserving the $1,481,489,572.87
that NTIA allocated to Virginia?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 54. Will you commit to preserving the $1,210,800,969.85
that NTIA allocated to West Virginia?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 55. Will you commit to preserving the $1,055,823,573.71
that NTIA allocated to Wisconsin?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 56. Will you commit to preserving the $347,877,921.27 that
NTIA allocated to Wyoming?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release allocated funds to the
states consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
BEAD technology requirements. While the BEAD statute allows states
flexibility to serve extremely high-cost locations with alternative
technology, the statute requires that the states ``prioritize funding''
for ``priority broadband projects.'' The statute defines ``priority
broadband projects'' as those that, among other things, ``ensure that
the network built by the project can easily scale speeds over time to
meet the evolving connectivity needs of households and businesses; and
support the deployment of 5G, successor wireless technologies, and
other advanced services.'' At your confirmation hearing, Chair Cruz
asserted that the BEAD program was intended to be tech neutral. In
making this argument, however, Chair Cruz cited language from the
Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (the definition of a ``Covered
broadband project'' as defined in Section 1705(a)(4) of Title 47 of the
U.S. Code), which is not part of the BEAD program.
Question 1. Do you believe that low earth orbit (LEO) offerings
that are available to consumers today ``can easily scale speeds over
time to meet the evolving connectivity needs of households and
businesses; and support the deployment of 5G, successor wireless
technologies, and other advanced services?''
Answer. If confirmed, I will consult with NTIA's engineers and
attorneys to determine which specific products, services, and
technologies meet the criteria in the law for ``priority broadband
project'' per the IIJA.
Question 2. Do you believe that a state which purchases service
from a LEO satellite broadband provider is using BEAD funds to pay for
``a network built by the project?''
Answer. If confirmed, I will consult with NTIA's engineers and
attorneys to determine which specific products, services, and
technologies meet the criteria in the law for ``priority broadband
project'' per the IIJA.
Question 3. Do you agree that the definition of a ``Covered
broadband project'' as defined in Section 1705(a)(4) of Title 47 of the
U.S. Code applies to the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program, and is
not relevant to the question of tech neutrality in the BEAD program?
Answer. While this particular definition applies to the Tribal
Broadband Connectivity Program, the BEAD program contains similar
technology-neutral criteria to define ``priority broadband project,''
``unserved location,'' and ``underserved location,'' and in defining
minimum service requirements to receive a subgrant.
BEAD BABA requirements. The IIJA included the Build America Buy
America Act (BABA) says that when the government provides money for
building things like roads and bridges, the materials used to build
them should be made in the United States. This means things like iron,
steel, products made in factories, and materials for construction need
to come from the U.S. NTIA issued a partial waiver for BABA for the
BEAD program that required that the vast majority of components used in
the construction of BEAD funded networks be made in the United States.
Question 1. Do you believe it is important that BEAD funds should
support U.S. manufacturing and U.S. jobs?
Answer. Yes.
Question 2. Do you intend to change or modify the BEAD BABA waiver?
Answer. If confirmed, I will do everything I can to support
American workers, manufacturers, businesses, consumers, and taxpayers
to deploy broadband expeditiously. I commit to looking into this issue
if confirmed and I look forward to supporting the twin goals of speedy
broadband deployment and an American manufacturing renaissance.
Question 3. Are you concerned that changes to the BEAD program,
such as by reducing the amount of fiber deployed, could negatively
impact investments made by U.S. companies in domestic manufacturing to
support the program?
Answer. If confirmed, I will do everything I can to support
American workers, manufacturers, businesses, consumers, and taxpayers
to deploy broadband expeditiously. I commit to looking into this issue
if confirmed and I look forward to supporting the twin goals of speedy
broadband deployment and an American manufacturing renaissance.
Question 4. Are you concerned that changes to the BEAD program,
such as by reducing the amount of fiber deployed, could result in job
losses or workforce reductions for U.S. companies that made investments
in domestic manufacturing to support the program?
Answer. If confirmed, I will do everything I can to support
American workers, manufacturers, businesses, consumers, and taxpayers
to deploy broadband expeditiously. I commit to looking into this issue
if confirmed and I look forward to supporting the twin goals of speedy
broadband deployment and an American manufacturing renaissance.
Secretary Lutnick and BEAD Commitments. During his confirmation
hearing before this Committee, now-Secretary Lutnick repeatedly failed
to commit not to claw back funding for infrastructure programs under
NTIA's jurisdiction, particularly the BEAD program. Now confirmed in
that role, Secretary Lutnick has made alarming statements indicating he
intends to overhaul the program and potentially delay states' work to
connect homes to high-speed internet.
Question 1. Will you commit not to claw back funding for NTIA
infrastructure programs, such as BEAD?
Answer. Connecting every American to broadband is my top priority,
and I support using every dollar allocated in the BEAD program to doing
just that. If confirmed, I look forward to working with Secretary
Lutnick and NTIA staff to expedite the BEAD program and get funding to
the states, consistent with the law.
Question 2. If Secretary Lutnick's ongoing ``review'' of the BEAD
program results in allocated funding being clawed back, will you oppose
such efforts, if confirmed?
Answer. Connecting every American to broadband is my top priority,
and I support using every dollar allocated in the BEAD program to doing
just that. If confirmed, I look forward to working with Secretary
Lutnick and NTIA staff to expedite the BEAD program and get allocated
funding to the states, consistent with the law.
Question 3. Have you discussed the ``review'' of the BEAD program
with Secretary Lutnick? If so, please detail the nature of these
conversations and when they took place.
Answer. No.
Secretary Lutnick and Congressional Testimony. During his
confirmation hearing, now-Secretary Lutnick testified that he would not
support the dismantling of the Minority Business Development Agency
(MBDA). Despite this clear testimony, the DOC, under Secretary
Lutnick's leadership, appears to be actively dismantling the MBDA.
Question 1. Will you adhere to the commitments and statements you
make to this Committee regarding the fulfillment of your duties and
responsibilities in this post, if confirmed?
Answer. Yes.
Question 2. During your hearing, you testified that you would
``follow the law.'' Do you agree that providing untruthful testimony to
Congress violates the law?
Answer. Yes.
Secretary Lutnick and Tesla. During an appearance on ``Jesse
Watters Primetime'' on March 19, 2025, Secretary Lutnick urged people
to ``buy Tesla'' stock and said, ``anybody that doesn't buy a Tesla
robot is going to be silly.'' As you know, Federal officers are
generally prohibited from using their public office for the endorsement
of any product, service, or enterprise. Federal officers are also
generally prohibited from using their position to imply the government
sanctions or endorses another individual's personal activities.
Question 1. Do you think Secretary's Lutnick's comments urging
people to purchase Tesla stock or a Tesla product were appropriate?
Answer. I am not familiar with Secretary Lutnick's comments, and I
look forward to performing the responsibilities of NTIA administrator
if I am fortunate enough to be confirmed.
Question 2. If confirmed, will you commit to not use your public
office to promote or otherwise endorse Elon Musk's products or
services, such as Starlink, or the products or services of any other
Trump Administration official?
Answer. Yes.
Tribal Connectivity. NTIA oversees the Tribal Broadband
Connectivity Program, which Congress appropriated $3 billion to support
Tribal governments for deployment projects, telehealth, and online
education opportunities. Roughly $1 billion in funding for this program
is currently frozen.
Question 1. Yes or no, will you commit to completing the Tribal
Broadband Connectivity Program as it currently exists?
Answer. If confirmed, I commit to implementing NTIA's statutory
requirements, including with respect to the Tribal Broadband
Connectivity Program.
Question 2. Yes or no, will you continue to proceed with Round 2 of
the Program, which is already in progress, and allow it to continue?
Answer. If confirmed, I commit to implementing NTIA's statutory
requirements, including with respect to the Tribal Broadband
Connectivity Program.
Broadband Infrastructure and Tribal Coordination. Through the
broadband deployment projects it oversees, NTIA must prioritize strong
coordination with Tribal communities in order to ensure that locations
located on Tribal lands are connected.
Question 1. Yes or no, do you agree that the Federal government
must recognize Tribal sovereignty?
Answer. I agree with your statement on the importance of
coordination with Tribal communities. If confirmed, I would not be in a
position to speak for the entire Federal government on the broad topic
of Tribal sovereignty.
Question 2. Yes or no, do you agree that it is the role of the
Federal government, and in particular NTIA, to coordinate with Tribal
governments on matters of broadband deployment that impacts Tribal
lands and families?
Answer. Yes, to the extent the coordination involves NTIA
responsibilities.
Question 3. Yes or no, will you commit to upholding requirements
for states and Internet service providers participating in BEAD to
consult with Tribal governments on broadband deployment to locations on
Tribal lands?
Answer. I commit to upholding statutory requirements for NTIA with
respect to Tribal governments and Tribal lands.
Question 4. Yes or no, will you continue to abide by the NTIA-FCC-
Department of the Interior Tribal Spectrum memorandum of understanding
(MOU)?
Answer. If confirmed, I commit to reviewing this matter, and
upholding NTIA's statutory requirements.
Middle Mile Infrastructure Program. To date, NTIA has awarded
nearly $980 million across 40 states and territories through the
Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program. This Program
funds projects to deploy future-proof fiber over nearly 12,500 miles,
connecting over 7,000 anchor institutions.
Question 1. Will you commit to completing the Enabling Middle Mile
Broadband Infrastructure Program as it currently exists?
Answer. If confirmed, I commit to implementing NTIA's statutory
requirements, including with respect to the Enabling Middle Mile
Broadband Infrastructure Program.
Question 2. Will you commit to working expeditiously to ensure that
funded projects are able to proceed to deploy fiber across the country?
Answer. If confirmed, I commit to implementing NTIA's statutory
requirements, including with respect to the Enabling Middle Mile
Broadband Infrastructure Program.
Innovation Fund. Authorized under the FY 2021 National Defense
Authorization Act and funded through the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022,
the Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund is a 10-year, $1.5
billion grant program will help drive wireless innovation, foster
competition, and strengthen supply chain resilience. Around $814
million remains unobligated. President Trump has recently called to
roll back the CHIPS and Science Act, which funded this program.
Question 1. Do you support the current funding opportunities
announced and underway?
Answer. I will uphold the law as enacted.
Question 2. Will you commit to implementing these programs and to
complete open funding rounds?
Answer. If confirmed, I commit to implementing NTIA's statutory
requirements, including with respect to the Public Wireless Supply
Chain Innovation Fund.
National Spectrum Strategy. In November 2023, the Biden
Administration released the National Spectrum Strategy (NSS) that
identifies over 2,700 megahertz of spectrum across five bands for study
to determine the possibility of new, commercial uses. The NSS includes
over 1,600 megahertz of midband spectrum, a range in high demand for
next-generation wireless services.
In the 118th Congress I led the effort to codify the NSS and a MOU
between the FCC and NTIA on spectrum coordination--the Spectrum and
National Security Act. The final version of this legislation reflected
a negotiated agreement between the DOC, DoD, and the Joint Chiefs of
Staff that preserved our national security, protected Federal
incumbents, and advanced studies which would create a sustainable
spectrum pipeline.
Question 1. Do you believe that the United States needs a national
spectrum strategy?
Answer. Yes.
Question 2. Will you stand by the negotiated agreement between the
DOC, DoD, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff?
Answer. I was not part of the negotiated agreement between the DOC,
DoD, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. However, if confirmed, I commit to
reviewing it and obtain any classified briefings necessary for purposes
of advising the Trump administration on this negotiated agreement among
Biden administration officials.
Question 3. What changes do you anticipate making to either the NSS
or MOU between the FCC and NTIA?
Answer. If confirmed, I commit to review both the NSS and MOU and
get any needed classified briefing to determine if there should be any
modification to agreements and strategy documents negotiated by the
Biden administration.
Question 4. Will you commit to adhering to the Memorandum on
Modernizing United States Spectrum Policy and establishing a national
spectrum strategy?
Answer. If confirmed, I commit to implementing NTIA's statutory
requirements. As I testified, spectrum will be a top priority of mine.
Spectrum Pipeline Act. Ms. Roth, Chair Cruz introduced the Spectrum
Pipeline Act last year, which would have required NTIA to identify 2500
megahertz of Federal spectrum for reallocation and auction. I
understand you worked on this bill.
That bill did not require that national security or public safety
be protected, nor did it require that any studies occur before the
spectrum be auctioned.
Question 1. Can you elaborate on why you believe requiring this
spectrum reallocation without the results of any studies does not risk
U.S. national security interests?
Answer. I support protecting national security and public safety.
If enacted, the Spectrum Pipeline Act would require NTIA to identify a
certain quantity of spectrum for reallocation. In order to make this
identification, consistent with current practice, NTIA would first
conduct studies and consult with other Federal agencies to protect
their critical missions.
International Spectrum Leadership. NTIA is tasked with representing
the United States' spectrum interests internationally. We have seen
China's growth in spectrum use not only threaten the U.S. economically,
but China also raises national security concerns. U.S. representation
at the International Telecommunications Union and World Radio
Conference are important fora to advance American interests in spectrum
management and combat national security threats from China.
Question 1. Will you commit to representing U.S. spectrum interests
on the international stage to address concerns about China's spectrum
use?
Answer. Yes.
Question 2. Do you support a modernized approach on Federal
spectrum policy that protects our communications networks against
foreign adversaries?
Answer. Yes.
FirstNet. Congress established FirstNet as an independent authority
within NTIA, which was tasked with managing and overseeing the
implementation and execution of agreements to build, deploy, and
operate a new nationwide broadband network dedicated for public safety
use.
FirstNet's statutory authority to operate expires in 2027 and will
be a question for Congress and this Committee to consider.
Question 1. How do you view the role of NTIA in managing and
overseeing the FirstNet Authority?
Answer. FirstNet is overseen by a board and has a unique position
within the Department of Commerce. If confirmed, I will work to ensure
that FirstNet delivers on the promise of enhancing public safety
communications and is subject to appropriate oversight.
Question 2. If confirmed, how will you address recommendations from
the Inspector General contained in three audit reports and one
management alert released in 2024?
Answer. I take Inspector General recommendations seriously, and I
look forward to reviewing those pertaining to FirstNet if confirmed.
Question 3. If confirmed, would you commit to brief Committee
members about the FirstNet contract and provisions, so that the
Committee can better understand the relationship between AT&T and
FirstNet in advance of the expiration of FirstNet authorization in
2027?
Answer. Yes.
Spectrum Interference. At the March 27, 2025, Commerce Committee
hearing with the National Transportation Safety Board, we heard that
the Secret Service and U.S. Navy operated a spectrum jamming system
that interfered with the terrain avoidance systems on aircraft landing
at DCA. Several aircraft that were jammed received false warnings to
take emergency action while landing--putting more people at risk.
Question 1. How would you ensure that Federal agencies properly
coordinate to prevent this kind of extremely dangerous activity from
happening in the future? What specific steps would take to address this
issue?
Answer. Coordination among Federal agencies on the use of spectrum
is critical for public safety. If confirmed, I will get briefings on
this event that Chairman Cruz raised, and that the Acting FAA
administrator confirmed, and will work with other Federal agencies to
coordinate Federal spectrum use, consistent with NTIA's statutory role.
Question 2. You have advocated for making vast amounts of Federal
spectrum available for private sector use. How can we be sure that the
Federal government can coordinate these kinds of complex activities
with the private sector when it seems like this Administration is
already struggling to coordinate within the government?
Answer. If confirmed, I look forward to working with the FCC and
other Federal agencies to coordinate Federal and non-federal use of
spectrum, consistent with NTIA's statutory role. I will work to not
only maintain but, where possible, improve NTIA's coordinating
relationship with all Federal agencies to protect critical Federal
missions.
Question 3. If confirmed, will you commit to brief this Committee
on the jamming incidents at DCA and any other jamming activity near
U.S. airports or that would put the public at risk?
Answer. Yes, if confirmed I will get briefings on this event and
will brief the Committee on what I learn.
Question 4. Do you believe that the FCC should have taken into
account concerns about aviation safety from the FAA regarding 5G
interference to airplane altimeters as part of the C-Band auction?
Going forward how would you prevent a similar situations from occurring
that could put aviation safety, national security, or public safety at
risk?
Answer. I agree that the FCC should take into account all harmful
interference concerns presented, including those about aviation safety,
before making a decision. If confirmed, I will uphold NTIA's statutory
role in representing the view of the Executive Branch on spectrum
matters before the FCC, including by maintaining clear and frequent
channels of communication with the FCC.
Question 5. What role do you believe NTIA has in coordinating with
the FCC on spectrum related items before the Commission that involves
commercial spectrum, but where there is a Federal interest or equity?
What do you think the FCC's responsibility is to take NTIA's concerns
into account in these proceedings?
Answer. NTIA is responsible for communicating the position of
Executive Branch agencies on spectrum matters before the FCC. The FCC
is responsible for managing and licensing non-federal spectrum,
consistent with its statutory requirements.
Conflicts of Interest_Starlink. Elon Musk is the founder and CEO of
Starlink and the richest man in the world. He is also playing a leading
role in the Trump White House and the so-called Department of
Government Efficiency (DOGE). I have serious concerns about the
alarming conflicts of interest that appear to be mounting between Mr.
Musk and the Trump Administration.
Question 1. Ms. Roth, you are a lawyer. Do you agree there would be
at least the appearance of a conflict of interest if the DOC changed
the BEAD program and additional funds were directed to Musk's Starlink
as a result?
Answer. If confirmed, I commit to act impartially in carrying out
the BEAD program, consistent with the IIJA as enacted.
Question 2. If confirmed, what specific actions above and beyond
the minimum requirements will you take to give Americans confidence
there are no conflicts of interest in the BEAD program and Musk's
Starlink?
Answer. If confirmed, I commit to acting impartially in carrying
out the BEAD program, consistent with the IIJA as enacted.
Question 3. Do you think it's appropriate to consign hardworking
families in rural and Tribal communities to worse service that is more
expensive, while Mr. Musk benefits financially?
Answer. No, this would be a bad outcome. If confirmed, I will work
to deliver the best broadband service possible to all Americans,
consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 4. Have you ever met, been on a call, or otherwise
interacted with Elon Musk? If so, please detail each such instance,
including the date and topic of the engagement.
Answer. No.
Question 5. Have you ever discussed Elon Musk's perspective on the
BEAD program with anyone associated with SpaceX or the Trump
Administration? If so, please detail each such instance, including the
date, individuals involved, and perspectives conveyed.
Answer. As the telecommunications policy director for Chairman Cruz
on the Senate Commerce Committee, I have taken meetings with numerous
stakeholders, including SpaceX, on the implementation of the BEAD
program. In the course of those meetings, Mr. Musk's perspective on the
BEAD program was never discussed.
Tariffs and Effect on BEAD. President Trump's tariffs are driving
up the cost of living for consumers and causing uncertainty for
American businesses. As you know, communications service providers
depend on a global supply chain for their network components. A recent
Price Waterhouse Coopers study found that proposed tariffs could raise
costs in the telecommunications and technology sectors by $126 billion.
Question 1. Yes or no. Do you agree that this administration's
proposed tariffs will increase the cost to deploy these networks as
well increase the cost consumers will pay for high-speed internet?
Answer. I am committed to carrying out the BEAD program in an
expeditious, efficient, and effective manner. As I am the NTIA nominee
and not being considered for a Senate-confirmed position on trade
policy, I am not in a position to speculate on this issue.
Question 2. If confirmed, you would be the President's principal
advisor on telecommunications policy. How would you advise the
President about this important issue?
Answer. I would want to confer with experts at NTIA before advising
the President on this issue.
Digital Equity Grants. Congress intended to not only establish a
once-in-a-generation investment in broadband infrastructure, but also
to ensure individuals and communities have the skills necessary to take
advantage of the digital opportunities created by high-speed Internet
connectivity. One example is how the State of Washington is developing
a cybersecurity literacy program to ensure Washingtonians have the
necessary skills to protect themselves from cyber criminals.
Question 1. Will you commit to fully and swiftly implementing the
Digital Equity Act and its focus on all of the core targets identified
in the statute, including rural Americans, seniors, and veterans?
Answer. If confirmed, I commit to implementing NTIA's statutory
requirements, including with respect to the Digital Equity Act.
Question 2. Can you commit not to leave any of the statutory
``covered populations'' outlined in the Digital Equity Act behind and
implement the Act fully, as intended by Congress?
Answer. If confirmed, I commit to implementing NTIA's statutory
requirements, including with respect to the Digital Equity Act.
Question 1. If the president ordered you to do something illegal,
would you refuse?
Answer. I would not violate the law, and I do not believe the
president would ever ask me to do so.
Question 2. Do you believe the Executive Branch must comply with
lawful court orders?
Answer. Yes.
Department of Government Efficiency. In March 2016, you wrote an
article titled, ``How the FCC Betrayed America's Faith in the Rule of
Law'' in which you asserted: ``We Americans generally have faith that
our government operates according to legal authority and predictable
rules. If a government-authorized camera records our car exceeding a
speed limit, we pay the penalty because we have faith that proper
procedures were followed. Our faith is tested when a government agency
is found to have operated outside of the rule of law.'' A Federal court
has ruled that DOGE likely acted in violation of the U.S. Constitution
``in multiple ways.''
Question 1. Given the views expressed in your March 2016 article
and the Federal court ruling that DOGE is likely violating the U.S.
Constitution, do you agree that Americans should not have faith in the
actions taken by DOGE? Why or why not?
Answer. I have been nominated to NTIA and have been focused on
NTIA's mission and responsibilities, not the work of DOGE.
Question 2. If confirmed, will you permit DOGE to access to the
NTIA's records, systems, and data, including those related to the BEAD
program?
Answer. If confirmed, I will comply with all records, systems, and
data requirements, including those related to the BEAD program.
Question 3. If DOGE recommended a reduction-in-force at NTIA, would
you refuse to carry one out, if confirmed?
Answer. NTIA has many talented career staff, some of whom I've had
the privilege to work with. As I have not yet been confirmed, it would
be inappropriate for me to opine on the staffing needs of the agency.
Independent Agencies. In the same March 2016 article, you also were
critical of President Obama, claiming he had ``undermined any pretense
of independence at the FCC'' when he posted a speech on YouTube
discussing the regulation of broadband service providers. You also
asserted ``[i]t is incumbent on our government to do better in
following basic administrative law and affirming the autonomy of
independent agencies.''
Question 1. Given these past statements, aren't you concerned by
the Trump Administration's unprecedented actions to undermine
independent agencies like the FCC? If not, please explain why your
position has changed since March 2016.
Answer. I have been nominated to NTIA, which is part of the
Executive Branch and not an independent agency. As such, I have been
focused on NTIA's mission and responsibilities, not those of the FCC.
First Amendment. You worked at the FCC as a legal advisor to
Commissioner Mike O'Rielly. As you know, his nomination was withdrawn
by President Trump in August 2020, five days after he gave a speech to
the Media Institute, in which he said: ``The First Amendment protects
us from limits on speech imposed by the government--not private
actors--and we should all reject demands, in the name of the First
Amendment, for private actors to curate or publish speech in a certain
way. Like it or not, the First Amendment's protections apply to
corporate entities, especially when they engage in editorial decision
making. I shudder to think of a day in which the Fairness Doctrine
could be reincarnated for the Internet, especially at the ironic behest
of so-called free speech `defenders.' It is time to stop allowing
purveyors of First Amendment gibberish to claim they support more
speech, when their actions make clear that they would actually curtail
it through government action. These individuals demean and denigrate
the values of our Constitution and must be held accountable for their
doublespeak and dishonesty. This institution and its members have long
been unwavering in defending the First Amendment, and it is the duty of
each of us to continue to uphold this precious protection.''
Question 1. Do you agree with Commissioner O'Rielly's statement
about what the First Amendment means?
Answer. I support upholding the First Amendment. I agree that
corporate entities have First Amendment rights, the extent and breadth
of which depends on the context.
Border Gateway Protocol. Ms. Roth, the Office of the National Cyber
Director released the Roadmap to Enhancing Internet Routing Security in
September of 2024. Among the recommendations in the report were
enhancements to Internet routing security and in particular,
enhancements to the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP).
Question 1. Ms. Roth, if confirmed would you commit to working with
the interagency to enhance Internet routing security, and addressing
vulnerabilities to BGP?
Answer. If confirmed, I look forward to studying the roadmap you
reference and consulting with NTIA's career staff on addressing such
vulnerabilities.
Question 2. Ms. Roth, do you think it's important for Federal
agencies to use Route Origin Authorizations (ROA)? Do you think
commercial websites should use ROAs? Please explain the importance of
ROAs in preventing BGP hijacking.
Answer. If confirmed, I look forward to studying this issue closely
and consulting with NTIA's career staff on this topic.
Management Experience. Ms. Roth, NTIA is a large agency with
complex programs. A key part of the position to which you are nominated
is being a leader and convener who builds consensus among diverse
viewpoints. I'd like to hear a bit more about your relevant management
experience.
Question 1. Please detail an example of a complex project you
managed successfully and explain how that experience positions you to
succeed leading NTIA, if confirmed.
Answer. Managing a household of seven and raising five young
children while working full-time in a high-pressure position has been a
complex project. It has also taught me about managing different
personalities and needs, which I believe will serve me well in leading
NTIA if confirmed. In the government context, I am also accustomed to
working on complex projects and building consensus among diverse
viewpoints. For example, I manage staff on a daily basis as the head of
telecommunications policy for the Majority. And at the Federal
Communications Commission, I worked in the front office of the Wireline
Competition Bureau and was responsible for ensuring career staff,
including attorneys, economists, and engineers, as well as staff in the
commissioners' offices could all share their perspective and agree on
how to resolve difficult issues.
Question 2. Please provide an example where you built consensus
among diverse viewpoints to achieve a beneficial outcome.
Answer. To pass the Blunt-Wyden Low Power Protection Act (PL 117-
344), I worked to build consensus among diverse viewpoints of
stakeholders in the telecom industry that have not traditionally been
aligned. These efforts paid off, as the bill was signed into law in
January 2023.
Question 3. What's the largest team you have managed? How many
people reported to you?
Answer. As Chairman Cruz's Policy Director for Telecommunications
on Senate Commerce, I manage a team of five staff. As a legal advisor
in the Wireline Competition Bureau of the Federal Communications
Commission, I was responsible for building consensus and ensuring
timely delivery of work across 155 full-time employees.
Question 4. Have you ever hired someone? If so, how many people?
Answer. Yes. In my career on the Hill, I have been involved in the
hiring decisions for numerous persons.
Question 5. Have you ever fired someone? If so, how many people?
Answer. Fortunately, I have never needed to fire anyone.
Cyber Security. Ms. Roth, the United States has been under
increasing cyber-attacks by hostile foreign powers, notably China and
Russia. Last year, Chinese hackers as part of the Salt Typhoon attack,
hacked into U.S. telecom networks and monitored phone calls and text
messages, targeting prominent figures including J.D. Vance.
Question 1. If confirmed you will be the President's lead advisor
on telecommunications policy. What is NTIA's role in mitigating attacks
like Salt Typhoon, and what should NTIA do to help prevent future
attacks?
Answer. Salt Typhoon was a massive penetration of our country's
communications networks, and it is important to plug any
vulnerabilities to prevent future attacks. Although NTIA does not have
regulatory authority, it can play a key role in policy development,
advocacy, and information sharing with respect to cybersecurity. NTIA
can also help mitigate future attacks through its work on supply chain
security and working with other agencies that develop cybersecurity
standards and best practices.
Question 2. What steps can U.S. telecommunication providers take to
harden their networks to make them more resistant to cyber-attacks in
the future?
Answer. Salt Typhoon was a massive penetration of our country's
communications networks, and it is important to plug any
vulnerabilities to prevent future attacks. If confirmed, I look forward
to working with NTIA's staff and other Federal agencies to develop and
promote standards and best practices for cybersecurity.
Question 3. How can NTIA enable the use of non-deployment funds
from the BEAD program, funds from the Digital Equity program capacity
and competitive programs, and the Tribal Broadband Connectivity program
to enhance cyber security skills to make our companies and communities
more resistant and resilient to these types of attacks?
Answer. If confirmed, I look forward to consulting with NTIA's
career staff to determine what authorities NTIA has under the law to
promote cybersecurity through these programs.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Brian Schatz to
Arielle Roth
The Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program (``Middle
Mile'') is enabling Hawaii to expand broadband infrastructure between
islands and across the state. The uninterrupted continuation of
projects funded by Middle Mile is critical to enhancing support for
critical infrastructure sectors--including defense, transportation,
energy, and telecommunications, among others--on time and efficiently.
Question 1. Will you commit to continued support for the Middle
Mile program, including ensuring the timely distribution of funds and
communications to project sponsors?
Answer. If confirmed, I commit to implementing NTIA's statutory
requirements, including with respect to the Enabling Middle Mile
Broadband Infrastructure Program.
The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program
represents a historic investment in broadband access, including for
Hawaii, which will see a total of $149.5 million under this program.
Earlier this month, Department of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick
announced that the agency will review the BEAD program with the
intention of potentially reforming certain requirements.
Question 2. What changes do you believe need to be made to the BEAD
program under your leadership?
Question 3. What metrics will you apply to assess the effectiveness
of the BEAD program?
Question 4. Will you commit to ensuring that any potential
modifications to the BEAD program will not impact state planning work,
including forcing states to re-do work that has already been completed
at this stage?
Question 5. Will you commit to ensuring that potential
modifications to the BEAD program will not delay state project
timelines?
Answer. Connecting every American to broadband is my top priority.
If confirmed, I look forward to working with Secretary Lutnick and NTIA
staff to expedite the BEAD program, get funding to the states, and
expand broadband buildout, consistent with the law. The best metric of
BEAD's effectiveness is its record of expeditiously increasing
broadband access in unserved communities. If confirmed, I look forward
to working with NTIA's career staff and state broadband offices to cut
red tape and unnecessary bureaucracy, to avoid further delays and
minimize work for states, consistent with the law.
In Department of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick's announcement
regarding review of the BEAD program, he stated the agency's interest
in cutting ``. . . government red tape that slows down infrastructure
construction.'' To that end, NTIA's waiver authority could be a tool
used in addressing the streamlining of certain approvals.
Question 6. How do you view the NTIA's waiver authority, and in
what circumstances would you feel it is appropriate to exercise this
authority with regard to the BEAD program?
Answer. I agree that issuing waivers where appropriate can be a
tool in streamlining the BEAD program and speeding the deployment of
broadband to Americans--the ultimate goal of the program. Although the
appropriate circumstances for issuing a waiver depends on the specific
context, as a general matter, I would look favorably on waivers that
would speed the deployment of broadband consistent with the law. If
confirmed, I look forward to consulting with NTIA's career staff and
legal counsel on this issue.
At the state level, we understand that some documentation
requirements could have an opportunity for streamlining. For example,
deployment requirements related to Letters of Credit for contractors
may not be appropriate in all situations, and updated guidance along
these lines could be helpful to increase the speed of deployment and
potentially reduce costs. For example, Letters of Credit may not always
be most effective in ensuring security due to funding being
reimbursable rather than provided in advance, and can make it harder
for smaller companies to compete.
Question 7. Will you commit to working with states to address and
integrate feedback for Letter of Credit guidance?
Yes, I look forward to working with states on this issue if
confirmed.
It is critical that the United States continues to uphold its trust
responsibility to Tribal and Native communities.
Question 8. Please provide a description of your understanding of
the Federal trust responsibility to American Indians, Alaska Natives,
and Native Hawaiians, and how that necessitates continuance of programs
that directly and indirectly serve these communities.
Question 9. As NTIA Director, will you commit to upholding this
trust responsibility?
Question 10. If confirmed, will you commit to maintaining the
Tribal Consent requirements under the BEAD program as a necessary
condition of state awards if projects implicate Tribal lands?
Question 11. Will you commit to maintaining the Tribal Advisory
Committee at NTIA?
Answer. I commit to upholding statutory requirements for NTIA with
respect to Tribal and Native communities and the United States' trust
responsibilities. I welcome the opportunity to work with your office on
the issue of NTIA's trust responsibility to Tribal and Native
communities, so I can learn more about these issues. If confirmed, I
commit to working with NTIA's staff on issues regarding the Tribal
Advisory Committee and do not intend or plan to dissolve the committee.
Many Tribes awarded 2.5 GHz spectra under the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) rural priority window over 4 years ago
are under tight buildout and service deadlines that must be met to keep
these licenses. NTIA's TBCP Round 2 awards are one of the sole sources
of funds directly available to Tribes to build the networks and
services needed to meet these deadlines and close the digital divide. I
am concerned that Tribes could lose these licenses if any awards you
will oversee are delayed or clawed back.
Question 12. Will you commit to getting TBCP Round 2 awards out the
door and prevent the fraud, waste, and abuse that will certainly happen
if these awards are delayed?
Question 13. Will you commit to proactively engaging with the FCC
to make the connection between these two programs and ensuring that
timelines for TBCP Round 2 funds do not negatively impact corresponding
timelines for recipients under the 2.5 GHz Rural Tribal Program?
Answer. If confirmed, I commit to implementing NTIA's statutory
requirements, including with respect to the Tribal Broadband
Connectivity Program, and coordinating with the FCC in a timely manner.
On December 5, 2024, the Department of Commerce Office of the
Inspector General released a report which included 11 recommendations
to NTIA for improvising FirstNet Authority's management of the
Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network. At the time, NTIA had
concurred with all 11 recommendations.
Question 14. Will you commit to the expeditious and complete
implementation of the 11 recommendations outlined in the report?
Question 15. Will you commit to ensuring that FirstNet continues
its progress toward ensuring that the unique disaster planning needs of
non-contiguous states, including Hawaii, are addressed?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work with the Inspector General to
ensure that FirstNet is subject to appropriate oversight and proper
management. I will also work to ensure FirstNet delivers on the promise
of enhancing public safety communications throughout the country,
including in non-contiguous states like Hawaii.
The NTIA played a critical role to work with the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration (NASA) to ensure their continued use of the 24 GHz
band to monitor water vapor. Simply put, this band allows observers
like NOAA, NASA, and their contractors to determine the amount of water
vapor in the atmosphere--which increases the reliability of weather
forecasts.
Question 16. What are your plans to work with NOAA, NASA, and other
government agencies to preserve their specific spectrum needs?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work with all Federal agencies to
ensure that their spectrum needs are addressed. I will work to not only
maintain but, where possible, improve NTIA's coordinating relationship
with all Federal agencies, including NOAA and NASA, to protect critical
Federal missions.
Unlicensed spectrum usage and the availability of Wi-Fi play
critical roles in enabling innovation and connectivity.
Question 17. As NTIA Director, how will you factor the value of Wi-
Fi when evaluating spectrum management decisions?
Answer. I agree that unlicensed spectrum usage and Wi-Fi play
critical roles in enabling innovation and connectivity. However, power
levels and licensing rules for commercial spectrum are generally
decisions within the FCC's domain, not NTIA's.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Edward Markey to
Arielle Roth
Artificial Intelligence:
Question 1. From AI accountability to data center growth to
auditing for trustworthy AI systems, NTIA has been investigating and
providing recommendations on some of the most complicated issues to
ensure that AI innovation does not come at the expense of our trust,
safety, and environment. If confirmed, what are your plans to address
issues related to emerging technologies and artificial intelligence?
Answer. AI is becoming an increasingly important part of the
Internet economy. While AI has the potential to deliver tremendous
benefits to consumers, it also comes with risks. If confirmed, I will
work to ensure that we lead the world on AI, and harness AI to promote
economic competitiveness, national security, and human flourishing.
Question 2. In September 2024, NTIA released a request for comments
on U.S. data center growth to meet the demand from artificial
intelligence and other emerging technologies. If confirmed, what is
your plan for NTIA to address the electricity demand for U.S. data
center growth?
Answer. I agree that AI has resulted in greater demand on data
centers. It is unclear to me what, if any, authority NTIA has over
electricity demand, but if confirmed, I welcome the opportunity to work
with NTIA's staff and your office on this important issue.
Question 3. NTIA recently released a report noting the benefits of
open-source AI and has also concluded that the Federal government
should invest in monitoring and testing AI for harms. Do you agree with
these recommendations?
Answer. I have not had an opportunity to familiarize myself with
this report but I look forward to reviewing it and hearing from career
staff at NTIA on how they came to their recommendations.
Question 4. In March 2024, NTIA released an extensive report on AI
accountability, risk, and trustworthiness. The report provided guidance
and multiple recommendations for the Federal government on how to
ensure the growth of an artificial intelligence accountability
framework and to address risks. Do you support this guidance and these
recommendations?
Answer. I have not had an opportunity to familiarize myself with
this report but I look forward to reviewing it and hearing from career
staff at NTIA on how they came to their guidance and recommendations.
Algorithmic Discrimination:
Question 5. Do you believe that bias and discriminatory artificial
intelligence is a problem?
Answer. Yes.
Question 6. If confirmed, what is your plan to address biased and
discriminatory artificial intelligence, especially in critical areas
such as health care, education, employment, and criminal justice?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to ensure that we harness AI to
promote human flourishing for all Americans.
Question 7. What guardrails should there be for the Federal
government's use of AI tools and other technologies, and what is NTIA's
role in the development of such guardrails?
Answer. As I have been nominated to NTIA, I cannot speak to the use
of AI tools and technologies across other government agencies. If
confirmed, I would consult with the expert staff at NTIA and legal
counsel on NTIA's role on this matter.
Question 8. Do you believe that a company has an obligation to
test, address, or measure its algorithms before deployment in order to
determine whether it discriminates or is biased against protected
characteristics?
Answer. This is not an issue that I have previously delved into. If
confirmed, I would be honored to work with your office to learn more.
Question 9. Do you believe that a company has an obligation to
monitor its algorithms after deployment in order to determine whether
it discriminates based on protected characteristics?
Answer. This is not an issue that I have previously delved into. If
confirmed, I would be honored to work with your office to learn more.
Question 10. Do you support the White House Office of Science and
Technology Policy's Blueprint for an AI Bills of Rights?
Answer. I have not had an opportunity to review the Blueprint but
look forward to looking into it.
Closing the Digital Divide:
Question 11. Do you support closing the digital divide for low-
income people?
Answer. Yes.
Question 12. Do you support closing the digital divide for elderly
individuals?
Answer. Yes.
Question 13. Do you support closing the digital divide for
incarcerated individuals?
Answer. Yes.
Question 14. Do you support closing the digital divide for
veterans?
Answer. Yes.
Question 15. Do you support closing the digital divide for
individuals with disabilities?
Answer. Yes.
Question 16. Do you support closing the digital divide for
individuals with a language barrier?
Answer. Yes.
Question 17. Do you support closing the digital divide for
individuals who are members of a racial or ethnic minority group?
Answer. Yes.
Question 18. Do you support closing the digital divide for people
who primarily reside in a rural area?
Answer. Yes.
Question 19. If confirmed, what is your plan to close the digital
divide in our country?
Answer. Congress has directed NTIA to play a role in promoting
broadband affordability by administering broadband programs like BEAD.
NTIA can also help to reduce unnecessary permitting burdens that can
increase the cost of providing broadband and expand commercial spectrum
access, which in turn increases both mobile and broadband competition,
driving down costs for consumers.
If confirmed, I will work to implement NTIA's broadband funding
programs consistent with the law and expand spectrum access consistent
with national security and the needs of other Federal agencies.
Question 20. If confirmed, what is your plan to close the digital
divide for Indigenous people?
Answer. If confirmed, I commit to implementing NTIA's statutory
requirements, including with respect to the Tribal Broadband
Connectivity Program and other broadband funding programs, and will
work to expand spectrum access consistent with national security and
the needs of other Federal agencies.
Question 21. If confirmed, what is your plan to close the digital
divide for students?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to implement NTIA's broadband
funding programs consistent with the law and expand spectrum access
consistent with national security and the needs of other Federal
agencies.
Digital Equity Act
Question 22. Do you believe that the Digital Equity Act is
constitutional?
Answer. Making sure Americans have the resources and skills they
need to participate in the digital economy was part of the IIJA and I
will follow the law.
If confirmed, I commit to implementing NTIA's statutory
requirements, including with respect to the Digital Equity Act.
I would defer to the Department of Justice on constitutional
matters.
Question 23. Will you commit to ensuring the projects already
recommended for a Digital Equity Act award can move forward and begin
their work to ensure residents in their communities can get and stay
connected to the Internet safely?
Answer. Making sure Americans have the resources and skills they
need to participate in the digital economy was part of the IIJA and I
will follow the law.
Free Speech and Technology:
Question 24. Do you believe it is constitutional to ban children
and/or teens from social media?
Answer. I would defer to the Department of Justice on this
constitutional matter. As the nominee to head NTIA, this is not an
issue that I would see within my remit.
Question 25. Do you believe that a social media platform's
algorithmic ranking of content constitutes the speech of the platform?
Answer. I would defer to the Department of Justice on this
constitutional matter. As the nominee to head NTIA, this is not an
issue that I would see within my remit.
Question 26. Do you believe that a social media platform's content
moderation decisions constitute the speech of the platform?
Answer. I would defer to the Department of Justice on this
constitutional matter. As the nominee to head NTIA, this is not an
issue that I would see within my remit.
Question 27. Do you believe that private communications between
employees of the Federal government and social media platforms related
to content moderation decisions or rules and the algorithmic ranking of
content can violate the rights of the platform's users? If so, please
describe the circumstances and/or conditions under which those
communications would be unconstitutional?
Answer. I would defer to the Department of Justice on this
constitutional matter. As the nominee to head NTIA, this is not an
issue that I would see within my remit.
Question 28. Do you believe that formal actions by Federal agencies
to investigate the content moderation decisions or rules or algorithmic
ranking of content on social media platforms could be unconstitutional?
If so, please describe the circumstances and/or conditions under which
those actions would be unconstitutional?
Answer. I would defer to the Department of Justice on this
constitutional matter. As the nominee to head NTIA, this is not an
issue that I would see within my remit.
Question 29. Do you support the repeal of Section 230 of the
Communications Decency Act?
Answer. That is a matter for Congress to decide. If confirmed, I
will abide by the law.
Question 30. Do you believe that the Federal Communications
Commission has authority to issue interpretative guidance or conduct a
rulemaking interpreting on Section 230 of the Communications Decency
Act?
Answer. This is a question that would be more appropriately
addressed to the FCC, not the NTIA nominee.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Gary Peters to
Arielle Roth
A key part of NTIA's role is coordinating and advocating on Federal
spectrum use. This goes beyond just key national security uses at the
Department of Defense--other agencies retain certain bands for public
safety applications that must be protected. One such band is 5.9, also
known as Auto Safety Spectrum, which is overseen by the Department of
Transportation.
This band allows for the deployment of safety technologies
including cellular vehicle-to-everything technology that enables
collision avoidance, faster emergency response times, school bus
alerts, freight efficiency improvement, and more. In 2020, some of this
spectrum was allocated away from these safety purposes, which will
reduce roadway safety long term. That can't happen again.
Question 1. If confirmed, will you commit to protecting the
remaining auto safety spectrum for roadway safety innovation like
cellular vehicle-to-everything technology?
Answer. If confirmed, I pledge to work with all Federal agencies on
their use of spectrum, including the Department of Transportation, to
protect public safety.
Michigan's High Speed Internet Office, also known as ``Mi-Hi,'' has
been one of the most effective state offices in carrying out the BEAD
program--beginning from a highly successful mapping and comprehensive
challenge process. They are on the cusp of closing their subgrantee
process wherein they will identify the companies who will build out
broadband connecting every single Michigander to reliable internet.
Question 2. Will you commit to meeting with ``Mi-Hi'' to understand
my state's needs if you are confirmed?
Answer. Yes.
As you know, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law authorized over $48
billion in total funding for NTIA's programs expanding broadband
access. Aside from the BEAD program, Michigan has already been awarded
$61 million through the Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure
Program and $38.7 million in expected funding through the Digital
Equity Act. Applicants for the DEA Competitive Grant have submitted
strong proposals that will increase economic opportunity in low-income
communities--like Human I-T's repurposing of used technology and Life
Remodeled's construction of Opportunity Hubs for Detroiters--but the
review process has been stalled.
Question 3. If confirmed, will you commit to releasing the full
amount of these congressionally-approved funds?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to release congressionally
authorized funds to all states, including Michigan, consistent with
NTIA's statutory authority.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Tammy Baldwin to
Arielle Roth
Question 1. Describe any proactive approach you will take at NTIA
to support American workers, manufacturers, and businesses, including
through broadband infrastructure implementation?
Answer. If confirmed, I will do everything I can to support
American workers, manufacturers, businesses, consumers, and taxpayers
to deploy broadband expeditiously. I commit to looking into this issue
if confirmed and I look forward to supporting the twin goals of speedy
broadband deployment and an American manufacturing renaissance.
Question 2. The Digital Equity Act Program, created in the
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was established to ensure every American
can have the skills and technology needed to participate in today's
digital economy. In January 2025, NTIA recommended 65 projects across
the country for competitive grant awards, including two for Wisconsin.
The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee was recommended an
award of nearly $10 million to improve accessibility to computers for
youth, provide technical training for students, establish adult digital
literacy classes, and more. The Boys and Girls Club of Greater
Milwaukee has yet to receive those funds, and my office's attempts to
receive more information from NTIA have been stonewalled.
If confirmed, will you commit to ensuring these committed dollars
get out the door without additional delay?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work to expeditiously release
congressionally authorized funds to all states, including Wisconsin,
consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Jacky Rosen to
Arielle Roth
Question 1. Digital Equity Competitive Grant: Clark County, Nevada,
is poised to receive $10.7 million through the Digital Equity Act
Competitive Grant program for a comprehensive project that will provide
critical job-related digital skills training, particularly for
underserved communities, youth, and small business owners. This
investment will directly translate to economic opportunities for Clark
County residents and businesses.
a. Will you commit to preserving and fully implementing programs
created under the Digital Equity Act, ensuring that communities like
Clark County can continue to benefit from these vital resources that
help small businesses and seniors?
b. Would you consider projects that teach seniors digital skills,
like how to avoid common scams online, an important use of funds under
this program?
c. Would you consider projects that teach small businesses how to
set up websites and engage on e-commerce an important use of funds
under this program?
d. Would you consider projects that teach AI skills, like how to
use AI tools safely and how to spot AI deepfakes, an important use of
funds under this program?
Answer. These are all relevant and important skills for seniors,
small businesses, and others to develop in the 21st century. I also
appreciate your voice and position on this topic given your experience
in computer programming. Making sure Americans have the resources and
skills they need to participate in the digital economy was part of the
IIJA and I will follow the law. If confirmed, I commit to implementing
NTIA's statutory requirements, including with respect to the Digital
Equity Act.
Question 2. National Spectrum Strategy Implementation: NTIA is
supposed to be the arm of the Executive Branch, that coordinates
spectrum for use by the Federal government, including the military.
NTIA's work is critical because it seeks to ensure the most efficient
use of spectrum for agency needs, and it should work in concert with
the Federal Communications Commission to assess whether re-allocating
Federal spectrum to non-Federal use is feasible. NTIA, under President
Biden, put forth a National Spectrum Strategy (NSS) that sought to
develop a ``spectrum pipeline to ensure U.S. leadership in advanced and
emerging technologies.'' I am concerned, though, this Administration
does not prioritize robust spectrum policy, considering that the
interagency process has broken down in recent years, reaching its nadir
during the first Trump Administration.
a. If confirmed, how will you advance NTIA's mission of
coordinating Federal use of this finite resource and ensure the Federal
government speaks with one voice?
b Will you commit to advancing the work of the NSS and developing a
spectrum pipeline?
c. Will you commit to updating this Committee every three months on
your progress in supporting efforts to balance spectrum needs and
optimize Federal uses?
Answer. I agree that advancing a spectrum pipeline to promote U.S.
leadership in advanced and emerging technologies, as intended by the
NSS, must remain a key priority for our country. I also agree that this
requires a robust and successful interagency coordination process. As
mandated in its enabling statute, NTIA is the coordinator of Federal
spectrum and is in charge of coordinating the executive branch's
position on spectrum issues. If confirmed, I pledge to abide by NTIA's
statutory role on spectrum and making Federal spectrum use as efficient
as possible, consistent with national security and public safety. Upon
confirmation, I will confer with NTIA staff on the status of the
agency's spectrum studies. I also pledge to maintain open channels with
Congress on NTIA's spectrum work and to update this Committee on the
agency's progress on a quarterly basis.
Question 3. NTIA Coordination and Commercial Certainty: Under the
previous Trump Administration, we saw NTIA fail to properly coordinate
Federal use of spectrum, with the Federal Communications Commission
auctioning off multiple bands over the objections of key agencies like
the Department of Defense, Federal Aviation Administration, and NASA.
The lack of coordination and communication between Federal agencies,
the NTIA, and the FCC led to billions in lawsuits, unusable licenses,
and delays in deployment of commercial networks.
a. If confirmed, how will you ensure the NTIA coordinates across
Federal agencies and works with the FCC to provide certainty to
commercial spectrum users that if there is an auction of licenses or
current licenses are approved for new uses, the decision has been
through a robust consultation process with Federal agencies with
impacted equities?
Answer. There should always be a robust coordination process with
impacted Federal agencies. As mandated in its enabling statute, NTIA is
the coordinator of Federal spectrum and is in charge of communicating
the executive branch's position on spectrum issues. If confirmed, I
pledge to abide by NTIA's statutory role on spectrum, work closely with
other Federal agencies to ensure critical Federal missions are
protected, and maintain clear and frequent communications with the FCC
in communicating the views of the executive branch.
Question 4. Nevada's Approved BEAD Final Proposal: Over two months
ago, NTIA approved Nevada's Final BEAD Proposal, and the NIST grants
officer who administers the funding also signed off on the proposal
weeks ago.
a. Given that Nevada's Final Proposal has been fully approved, when
can we expect Nevada's BEAD funding to be disbursed?
b. Is it the Administration's intention to require states with
approved final proposals, like Nevada and Louisiana, to restart their
entire BEAD process, and would you support this?
c. Is it the Administration's intention to make states with
approved final proposals, like Nevada and Louisiana, re-bid or re-do
their entire selection process, and would you support this?
Answer. As I have not yet been confirmed, I have not been made
privy to the Administration's intention on BEAD for states with
approved proposals. However, connecting every American to broadband
expeditiously is my top priority, and I agree that the Department must
move quickly to disburse funding to Nevada, consistent with the law. If
confirmed, I look forward to working with Secretary Lutnick and NTIA
staff to expedite the BEAD program, get funding to the states, and
expand broadband buildout, consistent with the law. I look forward to
working with NTIA's career staff and state broadband offices to cut red
tape and unnecessary bureaucracy, to avoid further delays and minimize
work for states, consistent with the law.
Question 5. NTIA Approvals under the IIJA: As you stated in your
confirmation hearing, you are committed to following the law. Are you
aware of any part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law--which I helped
write, along with other members of this Committee--that gives the NTIA
the authority to withdraw approval for a plan or require a resubmission
AFTER it has already approved the proposal?
Answer. If confirmed and the issue of withdrawing an already
approved proposal were to come up, I would consult with legal counsel
and NTIA's career staff. I am not currently aware of a specific
provision in the IIJA on this point.
Question 6. BEAD Delays under this Administration: Secretary
Lutnick has said that the Trump Administration wants to ``get rid of
the delays'' in the BEAD program. And in Nevada, we have providers
ready to build tomorrow and can have people connected by the end of the
summer, but are waiting for Nevada's funding to be released. Last week,
Chairman Cruz, along with 12 Republican members of this Committee sent
a letter, calling for moving this program forward ``without any more
delay caused by unnecessary government interference.'' Requiring states
to re-bid with new guidance would delay buildout in Nevada, at minimum,
another 15-18 months.
a. How does delaying Nevada's BEAD funding and buildout align with
the Administration's purported goal to eliminate delays?
b. Across the country, states have collectively spent over $100
million on planning, working with providers, bidding projects, and
selecting final projects. Ms. Roth, would it be FAST or EFFICIENT to
require states like Nevada and Louisiana to scrap that work and restart
the bidding process under completely different rules?
Answer. It seemingly would not be ``fast or efficient'' to throw
away that work and restart the process from scratch. Connecting every
American to broadband expeditiously is my top priority. I understand
the frustration with the delay in getting funding to your state. It is
unfortunate that the previous Administration spent three years on
administrative tasks instead of focusing on getting shovels into the
ground. However, I believe the short-term delay that is needed to
correct these missteps will enable NTIA to oversee a more efficient,
effective broadband loan program in the long run. If confirmed, I look
forward to working with Secretary Lutnick, NTIA staff, and state
broadband offices to expedite the BEAD program, get funding to the
states, and expand broadband buildout, consistent with the law. I look
forward to working with NTIA's career staff and state broadband offices
to cut red tape and unnecessary bureaucracy, to avoid further delays
and minimize work for states, consistent with the law.
Question 7. Priority Broadband Projects under IIJA: In Nevada, we
have an all-of-the-above approach to technology that aligns with the
intent of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The statute is tech
neutral, in that it prioritizes the necessary technology to meet
certain speed and scalability outcomes. Specifically, the statute
defines a priority broadband project as one that satisfies quality,
reliability, and speed requirements and can easily scale for future
connectivity needs and 5G technologies. This is important, because
while the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is tech neutral, it also has
standards for such technology, and scalability for 5G technology is one
of them.
a. Does satellite technology currently support the scalability of
5G services?
b. Could satellite broadband services be considered under the
statutory definition of a ``priority broadband project'' under the
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law?
Answer. Satellite technology is changing fast enough that I would
want to consult with NTIA's engineers before making a determination on
its current capabilities. If confirmed, I will consult with NTIA's
engineers and attorneys to determine which specific products, services,
and technologies meet the criteria in the law for ``priority broadband
project'' per the IIJA.
Question 8. Cost of Internet: Secretary Lutnick has announced that
he is ``revamping'' BEAD to make it tech neutral--which it already is--
and the ``lowest cost''. But costs for Elon Musk's Starlink right now
are over $120 a month, while Internet service providers in Nevada offer
higher speeds for less than half of that. What benefits will Americans
receive if the NTIA changes the rules for BEAD to give rural areas
slower, less reliable Internet that costs consumers more money?
Answer. Such a scenario would not be a desirable result. If
confirmed, I will work to deliver the best broadband service possible
to all Americans, consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
Question 9. High Cost Locations: Some in this Administration have
questioned why we are building in high cost locations, calling for some
sort of cap on the costs of building out broadband to certain
locations. Not only would this be misguided and inject uncertainty into
the program, but it is in direct contradiction with the purpose of the
BEAD program: to close the digital divide. If the private sector could
easily build out to these hard-to-serve locations, they would have
already. Providing high-speed, reliable broadband to all Americans who
have been left behind is the explicit purpose of the law. In Nevada,
many of the high cost awards in Nevada were awarded to the sole bidder
of that project. Satellite couldn't serve those areas technologically--
and fixed wireless bids often ended up being even more expensive. A
national per location cap disregards complex factors that vary state by
state and could prevent states from being able to connect 100 percent
of unserved locations with the money allocated to the state under the
program.
a. Would you support instituting an arbitrary national cap on costs
per location?
b. Would you support instituting an arbitrary national cap on costs
per location, even if that provider was the sole bidder of that
location?
Answer. I do not support taking any arbitrary actions. If confirmed
and the issue of a per-location cap were to come up, I would consult
with legal counsel, NTIA's career staff, state broadband offices,
industry stakeholders, and this Committee as appropriate. Moreover, a
per-location cap, should it come up, would need to account for
consideration of high-cost areas, including high-cost Tribal areas.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Ben Ray Lujan to
Arielle Roth
Question 1. Sec. Lutnick is calling on states to use the lowest
cost option when building out broadband under the BEAD Program.
Although satellite is cheaper and quicker to deploy in the short-term,
it will be more expensive in the long-term. Fiber is considered the
gold standard in Internet connection.
Yes or no, do you support deprioritizing fiber in favor of fixed
wireless or LEO satellites?
Answer. I support an all-of-the-above solution, including fiber as
well as alternative technologies where appropriate. If confirmed, I
will work to deliver the best broadband service possible to all
Americans, consistent with NTIA's statutory authority.
a. Are you aware of any small LEO operators that satisfy IIJA's
100/20 mbps speeds and low latency conditions?
Answer. I am not, but satellite technology is changing fast enough
that I would want to consult with NTIA's engineers before making a
determination on its current capabilities. If confirmed, I will consult
with NTIA's engineers and attorneys to determine which specific
products, services, and technologies meet these criteria.
Question 2. Earlier this month, Secretary Lutnick put out a
statement saying that the Commerce Department is ``revamping the BEAD
program to take a tech-neutral approach that is rigorously driven by
outcomes, so states can provide Internet access for the lowest cost.''
Yes or no, do you support requiring states to overhaul and resubmit
their BEAD plans?
a. If yes: How does that comport with your goal of deploying the
money ``expeditiously''?
Answer. Connecting every American to broadband expeditiously is my
top priority. If confirmed, I look forward to working with Secretary
Lutnick and NTIA staff to expedite the BEAD program, get funding to the
states, and expand broadband buildout, consistent with the law. I look
forward to working with NTIA's career staff and state broadband offices
to cut red tape and unnecessary bureaucracy, to avoid further delays
and minimize work for states, consistent with the law.
Question 3. During a June 2024 Federalist Society event you stated,
``Instead of prioritizing connecting all Americans who are currently
unserved to Broadband, the NTIA has just been preoccupied with
attaching all kinds of extra-legal requirements on BEAD, and to be
honest, a woke social agenda.'' What provisions or requirements of BEAD
constitute a ``woke social agenda''? Please be specific.
Answer. At this panel, I was speaking in my capacity as the
telecommunications policy director reflecting the views of Chairman
Cruz who has expressed concern around extra-legal BEAD requirements.
The concern over unnecessary requirements was notably discussed a few
weeks ago by Ezra Klein and Jon Stewart on a podcast and flagged by the
prior Administration's own BEAD director. If confirmed, I look forward
to working with NTIA's career staff and state broadband offices to cut
red tape and unnecessary bureaucracy, to avoid further delays and
minimize work for states, consistent with the law.
Question 4. You previously stated that ACP had a failed record in
connecting unserved Americans. However, by the time the program ended,
more than 23 million households had accessed the ACP, which totals
nearly 40 percent of eligible households. There is also strong evidence
that the program provided vastly more economic benefits than it cost.
Yes or no, do you stand by your statement that ACP had a ``failed
record''?
a. If yes, what evidence do you have to back up your statement?
Answer. I was speaking in my capacity as the telecommunications
policy director reflecting the views of Chairman Cruz who has
documented concerns about ACP's record. Some of those were addressed in
the language you offered to reform ACP. I support ensuring that
broadband is affordable for low-income Americans. Of course, ensuring
that low-income broadband programs are effective and targeted can be
challenging, but it is something I am willing to put significant effort
into to get right. I would welcome the opportunity to work with your
office on this important, bipartisan issue.
Question 5. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021
requires Internet service providers participating in the BEAD program
to offer a low-cost service option. NTIA gives states flexibility about
how they implement the low-cost requirement, with offerings ranging
from $15 a month in New York to up to $150 in Alaska. Yes or no, do you
commit to follow the law and require all BEAD subgrantees to offer at
least one low-cost broadband service option, as required under the
statute?
Answer. Yes, I commit to following the law.
Question 6. As you know, the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program
allocates $3 billion to support Tribal governments deployment projects,
telehealth, and online educational opportunities. The last
administration announced several awards at the end of 2024 but $1
billion remains to be distributed. Will you commit to administer the
remaining funds?
Answer. If confirmed, I commit to implementing NTIA's statutory
requirements, including with respect to the Tribal Broadband
Connectivity Program.
Question 7. As Administrator, you have a critical role in ensuring
that Federal incumbents are using their spectrum resources efficiently.
In some cases, reallocating the spectrum for nonfederal use may not be
an option yet there may be opportunities to share spectrum to ensure
its maximum benefit for the Federal government and consumers alike.
Would you commit to requiring NTIA to publish clear timelines and
stakeholder engagement opportunities as part of any spectrum studies
aiming to commercialize Federal spectrum?
Answer. As mandated in its enabling statute, NTIA is the
coordinator of Federal spectrum and is in charge of coordinating the
executive branch's position on spectrum issues. If confirmed, I pledge
to abide by NTIA's statutory role on spectrum and making Federal
spectrum use as efficient as possible, consistent with national
security and public safety. Upon confirmation, I will confer with NTIA
staff on the status of the agency's spectrum studies. I also pledge to
maintain open channels with stakeholders on NTIA's spectrum work.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. John Hickenlooper to
Arielle Roth
The NTIA is responsible for advocating for Federal agencies in key
spectrum policy deliberations. In recent years, certain agency views
have been raised to highlight potential impacts to Federal missions as
a result of harmful interference to NOAA satellites that help predict
weather; impacts to our GPS systems; and after a commercial ``C-Band''
auction, concerns were raised about impacts to aircraft altimeters
which required a voluntary pause for licensees to use new C-Band
licenses to preserve aviation safety.
Question 1. With specificity, what instances or scenarios do you
consider to be ``harmful interference'' between Federal agencies and a
range of unlicensed users using spectrum? Do you believe past spectrum
policy decisions were hurried or created ``harmful interference'' to
Federal missions? Why or why not?
Answer. I have great respect for the engineers at NTIA, the FCC,
and the various Federal agencies that rely on spectrum. It would be my
top priority to protect national security and public safety in any
spectrum decisions I make if confirmed. Harmful interference to
critical Federal operations is unacceptable.
One prominent instance of harmful interference between Federal and
unlicensed users was an episode in 2009, in which the Federal Aviation
Administration became aware of interference to Terminal Doppler Weather
Radars that operate in the 5600-5650 MHz band and provide measurements
of weather hazards for improved safety of operations in and around
airports. According to a report written by NTIA with the assistance of
FAA engineers, the interference was caused by unlicensed devices
operating in the same band. This incident underscores the need for
proper coordination between Federal and commercial users.
I look forward to working to protect against harmful interference
in any spectrum decisions I make if confirmed.
International standards are key to all forms of emerging
technologies-including communications. The upcoming World
Radiocommunications Conference (WRC) in 2027 is a key date where global
decisions will be made on the future of 6G, space-based communications,
and expanding Wi-Fi capabilities.
Question 2. What is your specific plan to help prepare and develop
consensus priorities for the United States delegation to pursue at the
WRC-27 convening?
Answer. It is critically important for the United States to be
prepared for WRC-27, and we need to establish our international policy
positions on spectrum as quickly as possible. I believe NTIA has a very
important role in that and, if confirmed, will work expeditiously to
ensure that the delegation has what it needs to be successful. Central
to being prepared for the WRC is convening relevant Federal agencies
and stakeholders beforehand so that our country enters the WRC with
unified positions.
The State of Colorado has recently finalized its second application
window to expand broadband to roughly 171,000 locations. If our State's
Final Proposal is approved by the NTIA, Coloradans will finally see
broadband expansion using a diverse mix of technologies, including
fiber, fixed wireless, and satellite. With our state's complex
geography, ensuring every household has high-speed connectivity is our
North Star.
Question 3. As the Department of Commerce considers reforms to the
BEAD Program, will you commit to allowing States to continue with their
project planning and award process without unnecessary delay?
Answer. I agree that we should avoid unnecessary delay. Connecting
every American to broadband expeditiously is my top priority. If
confirmed, I look forward to working with Secretary Lutnick and NTIA
staff to expedite the BEAD program, get funding to the states, and
expand broadband buildout, consistent with the law. I look forward to
working with NTIA's career staff and state broadband offices to cut red
tape and unnecessary bureaucracy, to avoid further delays and minimize
work for states, consistent with the law.
______
Response to Written Question Submitted by Hon. Lisa Blunt Rochester to
Arielle Roth
Question. Ms. Roth, cybersecurity in our Nation's broadband
networks is such an important part of our digital ecosystem.
Additionally, with the rise of AI systems and Internet of Things
applications, broadband users will have more potential vectors of
attack for bad actors to target.
With the recent Salt Typhoon hack proving the necessity of
cybersecurity programs, can you tell me, given the NTIA's advisory role
to the President, your concrete plans in your first 100 days if
approved for this role, to address safely integrating these emerging
technologies into our country's broadband networks?
Answer. Salt Typhoon was a massive penetration of our country's
communications networks, and it is important to plug any
vulnerabilities to prevent future attacks. If confirmed, I look forward
to working with NTIA's staff and other Federal agencies to develop and
promote standards and best practices for cybersecurity. Although NTIA
does not have regulatory authority, it can play a key role in policy
development, advocacy, and information sharing with respect to
cybersecurity.