Senate Commerce Committee holds hearing on Howard Lutnick nomination for commerce secretary

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on Jan. 25 held a confirmation hearing for Howard Lutnick, President Trump's nominee for secretary of commerce. Committee members questioned Lutnick on his personal background, plans to divest private business holdings and his approach to major department responsibilities including semiconductor policy, spectrum management, broadband deployment, NOAA operations and artificial intelligence.

Why this matters: The secretary of commerce oversees agencies and programs that shape trade, technology standards, broadband funding, ocean and weather services and export controls. Committee members from both parties pressed Lutnick on the practical effect of administration directives — including a temporary pause on federal assistance — and on how he would execute congressional appropriations if confirmed.

Lutnick opened the hearing with a personal account of rebuilding Cantor Fitzgerald after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks and said he would divest his business interests to avoid conflicts of interest. "I will divest, meaning I will sell all of my interests, all of my business interests, all of my assets, everything," Lutnick told the committee and added he expected to complete divestiture within 90 days of confirmation.

Sen. Ted Cruz, the committee chairman, asked the nominee a direct opening question: "Why do you wanna be the secretary of commerce?" Lutnick said he wanted to serve and help drive economic growth under the administration.

Members used the hearing to press Lutnick on multiple agency priorities, including administering the CHIPS and Science Act, reissuing NOAA biological opinions, expanding access to mid-band spectrum through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), and implementing the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program. Several senators sought commitments that the department would enforce previously finalized grant contracts and give Congress the "benefit of the bargain" where funds had been appropriated.

The nominee repeatedly said he would consult ethics officials and the department's lawyers to avoid conflicts and to follow the law. He also pledged to work with the committee if confirmed. "I do," he said when Chairman Cruz asked whether he would provide timely responses to the committee and appear when requested.

Several senators brought up administration actions outside the committee's work — notably a short-lived Office of Management and Budget memorandum pausing certain federal assistance — and sought written commitments that the department would carry out lawful appropriations. Lutnick said he would "try my best to give this committee and the Congress the benefit of the bargain that you have passed."

The hearing covered a wide array of policy areas in depth; committee members and witnesses pressed Lutnick on how he would implement existing laws and administer department programs if confirmed. The committee recessed at the close of questions to proceed with committee business and follow-up written questions.