Senate Commerce committee questions Paul DeBarr on trade, spectrum and tech as he seeks deputy secretary slot
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Summary
Paul DeBarr, nominated to be deputy secretary of commerce, told the Senate Commerce Committee his private‑sector and Department of Energy background would guide oversight of trade, spectrum and technology bureaus; senators pressed him on tariffs, CHIPS funding, spectrum policy, AI and quantum research.
Paul DeBarr, nominated by President Trump to be deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce, defended his record and outlined priorities in a confirmation hearing before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
The committee’s chairman, Sen. Ted Cruz, said the deputy secretary ‘‘will oversee daily operations’’ at Commerce and cited issues DeBarr might face, from BEAD broadband deployment to NOAA science; DeBarr emphasized his management experience in government and the private sector and asked for senators’ support. ‘‘If my nomination is confirmed by this body, it will be the fourth time I will have sworn to support and defend the Constitution of the United States,’’ DeBarr said in his opening remarks.
Why it matters: the deputy secretary is the department’s second‑in‑command and helps shape implementation of trade policy, spectrum allocations through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), technology programs such as CHIPS and research priorities at NIST and NOAA.
DeBarr highlighted his background at the U.S. Naval Academy, service in the submarine force, an MBA from Columbia, nearly two decades at JPMorgan overseeing energy investments and his prior service as Under Secretary for Science at the Department of Energy. He told senators he led the National Quantum Initiative while at DOE and has cofounded a quantum communications company, Bohr Quantum Technology.
Senators across the committee pressed DeBarr on administration trade strategy and tariffs, asking whether he would advocate using tariffs as leverage to secure lower foreign barriers rather than locking in high tariffs. DeBarr said the administration has several trade objectives, including lowering barriers and reindustrialization, and described tariffs as one of several tools. ‘‘The president has been very clear on support of the president’s positions on the different drivers of trade,’’ he said.
DeBarr also expressed support for making additional spectrum available for commercial use while protecting Defense Department systems. Asked about the CHIPS and Science Act, he said he had testified in support of that legislation and would seek to implement its subsidies to obtain the most benefit for taxpayers. On AI and NIST’s role, DeBarr said he favors NIST focusing on its traditional standards role and accelerating technology deployment where appropriate. He told senators he would ‘‘support S and T, and investment’’ and work with the committee on quantum reauthorization and related programs.
Committee administration notes: senators may submit questions for the record and DeBarr pledged to respond. The hearing record lists deadlines for written questions and responses.