Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) is set to take the helm as chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee following his reelection and the Republican Party’s successful bid to regain Senate control.

This influential role will place Cruz at the forefront of legislative debates on a range of key issues, including telecommunications, energy policy, and transportation.

The committee’s jurisdiction offers Cruz a platform to advocate for limited government and free-market principles.

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From shaping commercial space policy to scrutinizing big tech, Cruz is expected to use this position to push forward a bold legislative agenda.

“Being the chairman of the commerce committee comes with an incredible amount of power,” Kevin DeGood, director of infrastructure policy at the Center for American Progress, told the Houston Chronicle. “Their mandate is so wide, Sen. Cruz could hold hearings on almost any topic he likes and use that to advance his own conservative agenda.”

As the incoming Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, I will be able to drive an agenda that will help Texans.

On this important episode of Verdict, @benfergusonshow and I take you behind the scenes about how Senate committees work.https://t.co/0wZbCTUX2W pic.twitter.com/vUeUlGnijc

— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) November 16, 2024

“The Commerce Committee has jurisdiction over aviation, it has jurisdiction over communications, it has jurisdiction over railroads. It has jurisdiction over over space. It has jurisdiction over just a vast array. And I will say it is a force multiplier. When you have that team you’re able to engage on, you know, I would say 5x or 10x as many issues” – Ted Cruz

During his victory speech in Houston, Cruz emphasized his commitment to defending Americans’ constitutional rights. “We must defend our God-given rights—not some of them, not most of them, but all of them,” he declared.

He outlined key priorities, including border security, energy independence, and upholding individual freedoms.

Cruz’s focus on energy policy is expected to play a central role in his leadership.

A staunch advocate for Texas’ oil and gas industry, Cruz has consistently opposed federal climate regulations and has criticized efforts to curtail offshore drilling in the Gulf of Mexico.

He argues such measures threaten both national security and domestic energy production.

Cruz’s committee leadership will also involve tackling issues related to big tech, including antitrust concerns and consumer data privacy.

Cody Venzke, senior policy counsel at the ACLU, acknowledged Cruz’s focus on the tech industry’s influence. “Senator Cruz has brought a lot of attention to the power of the tech companies on our lives,” Venzke said. “But we don’t always see eye to eye. One of the things reinforcing tech’s power is how they’re abusing our data, and Sen. Cruz’s success as chair will hinge on addressing that.”

Cruz has already demonstrated his legislative acumen in the area of transportation.

He played a key role in advancing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act, a bipartisan measure aimed at improving air safety and modernizing travel.

The legislation, which passed the Senate with an 88-4 vote, included measures to expand the air traffic controller workforce, implement advanced runway safety technology, and improve cockpit voice recorders.

Additionally, Cruz has been critical of federal spending on infrastructure projects.

In June 2024, he called for an investigation into the Biden-Harris administration’s promotional signage for infrastructure initiatives, arguing that such actions may violate the Hatch Act by using taxpayer funds for political purposes.

Commercial space exploration is expected to be another major area of focus under Cruz’s leadership.

With Texas-based companies like SpaceX at the forefront of innovation, the committee will play a pivotal role in crafting policies on space debris, satellite operations, and lunar exploration.

The Department of Government Efficiency will bring much-needed reform to the bureaucracy.

It is not easy to take on the deep state in the swamp, but @elonmusk and @VivekGRamaswamy are the kind of bold thinkers who can do it. pic.twitter.com/wxoQ1UAgwd

— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) November 18, 2024

“His position will be incredibly important,” said Mike French, a consultant for space companies. “There’s belief it’s a good idea to have Congress more formally weigh in if we’re going to be on the moon. But there’s just a lot of different levels of what this framework could look like.”

As Cruz prepares to lead the Senate Commerce Committee, his agenda is expected to reflect his commitment to conservative values and free-market solutions.

From addressing energy independence to regulating emerging industries like commercial space, Cruz’s chairmanship will likely have a significant impact on the nation’s regulatory landscape.