▶ 0:29:31Chair Cruz: I know that everyone's calendar is tight. Since we have a quorum, we will gavel in. Good. We will start with a mark up briefly and then moved to a hearing. The senate committee on commerce,, and transportation will come to order. Today we consider the nomination of arielle roth to lead the national telecommunications and information administration, ntia.
▶ 0:30:03Chair Cruz: She is an exceptional candidate for the position at an exceptional person. She is currently serving as my policy director for telecommunications on this committee. As I have directly observed, she knows telecommunications law and policy as well as anyone else in this town.
▶ 0:30:23Chair Cruz: She has served as the wireline advisor to the former fcc commissioner, michael o'rielly, detail lead to the house energy and commerce committee, and in the senate as legislative council to former member roy blunt. She will bring energy and enthusiasm to an tia, where she will pursue a win-win solution on spectrum that addresses both commercial and national security concerns.
▶ 0:30:50Chair Cruz: I know the question that many of you are wondering is -- has the baby come? The answer is yes. As of 12:10 a.m., arielle gave birth to a beautiful baby girl who was seven pounds, 10 ounces. She joins her three sisters and two brothers. I have to commend her timing of giving birth on the day of the voting committee on her confirmation. >> congratulations. [applause]
▶ 0:31:22Chair Cruz: I don't know if her daughter has been named yet, but I'm sure that the little bean will be a beautiful young girl. [laughter] I'm going to get in trouble with ariel for that one. During her confirmation hearing, she promised to administer the been program to the benefit of the american people, not single individual or company.
▶ 0:31:54Chair Cruz: Bead definitely needs a revamp. It has yet to connect a single american to high-speed internet after 1200 block 41 days. A major barrier is is laborious 14 step process that ezra klein painstakingly outlined to a nonplussed jon stewart the other week.
▶ 0:32:21Chair Cruz: To quote john stuart, "I'm speechless, ezra. Honestly, it's far worse than I could have imagined. There is something I don't say often, I agree with jon stewart. Arielle fully understands these challenges and knows what it takes to finish the job. That is why she has the backing of dozens of stakeholders from across the country.
▶ 0:32:49Chair Cruz: To my democratic colleagues, I understand you may have strenuous objections to the overall direction of the trumpet administration, you should know that arielle is thoughtful, honest, and receptive to the concerns of your side of the aisle as any nominee before us. We all know the importance of knowing a person in the executive branch whom we can call on and trust to listen to our views.
▶ 0:33:16Chair Cruz: On the day of the birth of her sixth child, I hope that you will join me in supporting her in a strong bipartisan showing in her home committee. I now turn to ranking member cantwell for her opening remarks.
▶ 0:33:30Sen. Cantwell: Thank you for making that wonderful announcement about arielle. Her family, it was a delight to have her, her husband, and her children in the audience, probably one of the most delightful moments the committee has had, in watching them, and we certainly congratulate her and her family worried I also want to recognize the astronauts that I'm sure you will probably recognize later.
▶ 0:33:58Sen. Cantwell: Reid wiseman, victor clo bar, christina cox, and jeremy hansen , the artemis team who are here, thank you very much. Very proud of you. [applause] we are very proud in the state of washington. Commander mclean, who is leading the crude expedition right now, you all know her.
▶ 0:34:26Sen. Cantwell: It is amazing what you are all doing and we look forward to this hearing with Mr. isaacson and miss trusty. Let me address the nomination this morning for sec. Of communications and information at the department of commerce. When miss roth was before the committee and gave opening remarks, I thought we would get more than nti commitment on critical issues for U.S.
▶ 0:34:52Sen. Cantwell: Leadership and for interagency rank length. Interagency wrinkling is definitely a big part of the end tia mission to give us a clear spectrum policy. Unfortunately, at the hearing I didn't hear a commitment explicitly or even theoretically to the investments that this committee has already made.
▶ 0:35:14Sen. Cantwell: I know that this is probably a frustration to many of my colleagues, but this is what we are asking of nominees throughout the congress now because we have a very clear idea about what is getting cut. I have long advocated for a more evidence-based approach to the spectra management policy. The first trump administration rushed to bring spectrum to the market without the studies and interagency coordination.
▶ 0:35:41Sen. Cantwell: This approach would put federal capabilities at risk, like aviation safety, weather forecasting, 5g deployment on water droplets, gps systems, vehicles, safety, and our military readiness and capabilities. I believe that the next end tia administrator -- ntia administrator must not repeat those mistakes of the past.
▶ 0:36:07Sen. Cantwell: It's the ability to offset tax cuts for the complexities of the system, but also critical to safeguard national security. Beyond domestic concerns, american leadership in spectrum is key to protecting our national security, our ability to innovate. To maintain that position in the world's cutting edge technology, we need a fully coordinated national strategy balancing domestic projects, U.S.
▶ 0:36:37Sen. Cantwell: Leadership in the international world radio conference and telecommunications union. I agree that we need to bring more spectrum to market, but independent studies need to be completed so that we have the full understanding of the potential impacts to our national security and public safety.
▶ 0:36:53Sen. Cantwell: Miss roth was not clear about this or whether she would wait for the results of an evidence-based spectrum band with public safety issues before making those decisions on spectrum reallocation. Specifically, when I asked her about repeating the process for the ongoing studies of the lower 3g, seven, and gigahertz bands that have been heavily discussed in recent years, she did not commit, so I am concerned about these national security issues.
▶ 0:37:26Sen. Cantwell: Spectrum management is just one of the issues where I felt we could have more clarity. Obviously, Mr. chairman, you are bringing up the federal grant programs. Asked by many committee members about preserving the 42 billion dollar lawfully allocated to states, tribes -- tribes, and territories under the program enacted by congress to connect all underserved and unserved households, she refused to commit to honor the agreements ntia has already made with
▶ 0:37:57Sen. Cantwell: States and tribes. So, these are great concerns on the investments that our congress has already decided. She had the opportunity to continue to answer those questions for the record. We do not see the evidence of that commitment. On the issue of elon musk and conflicts of interest and making sure that even potential conflicts were clear, I also have concerns. Mr.
▶ 0:38:27Sen. Cantwell: Chairman, at this point in time I cannot support her nomination to be the director of ntia.
▶ 0:38:32Chair Cruz: I recognize senator wicker for emotion.
▶ 0:38:38Senator Wicker: Thank you, Mr. chairman. Let me just add a comment on to the announcement that you made. The chairman said that arielle had given birth to a beautiful baby girl. He knows what he's talking about. He's got a picture appear. Actually, on the first morning of her life, she flashed a nice, big smile.
▶ 0:39:09Senator Wicker: He's got that proof. In an effort to wait until the day of her vote here in committee, arielle saved that final push until 10 minutes after midnight. So, her timing is impeccable. Based on that and other reasons,
▶ 0:39:33I Move That Mr. Isaacman: , nomination of ariel roth to be assistant secretary of commerce be favorable in its reporting.
▶ 0:39:43Chair Cruz: Is there a second? Is there any discussion? The clerk will call the roll. >> Mr. thune? >> aye by proxy. >> Mr. wicker? >> aye. >> Mrs. fisher? >> aye. >> Mr. moran? >> aye. >> Mr. blackburn? >> aye. Mr. young? >> aye. Mr. schmitt? >> aye. Mr. curtis? >> aye.
▶ 0:40:14Chair Cruz: Mr. sheehy? >> aye. Mrs. o? >> aye. Miss lou mo? >> no by proxy. >> Mr. shots? >> no by proxy. Mr. markey? >> no. >> Ms. baldwin? >> no. >> miss duckworth? >> no by proxy. >> Ms. rosen? >> no. Mr. lujan? >> no.
▶ 0:40:46Chair Cruz: Miss hickenlooper? >> no by proxy. >> Mr. kim? >> no. >> miss blunt rochester? >> no by proxy. Mr. cruz? >> aye by proxy. -->> aye. >> the yeses are 13, -- 15, the nose or 13.
▶ 0:41:10Chair Cruz: I will not recognize any members of the committee wishing to make any remarks. That concludes our markup. We will now move in to our hearing.
▶ 0:42:06Chair Cruz: Today we will hear from jared isaacman, nominated to lead the national aeronautics and space administration, nasa, and from olivia trusty, nominated to the fcc. Nasa has always been at the forefront of american leadership . In 1969, that meant putting a man on the moon. Today, it means returning there. This time to stay.
▶ 0:42:34Chair Cruz: Our nominee has been active in the commercialization of space exploration. In 2021 he commanded the first all civilian spaceflight, inspiration4, and in 2024 he flew a second commercial mission, going further into space than any other manned mission since apollo 17. He brings a unique perspective to the challenges facing nasa and the space industry.
▶ 0:43:05Chair Cruz: Today, nasa is at a crossroads. The explosive growth of the commercial space sector from hardware manufacturers to space tourism has transformed the celestial and economic landscape . Space is no longer the exclusive domain of sovereign nations and a handful of legacy defense contractors.
▶ 0:43:26Chair Cruz: The democratization of space has spurred growth, reduced launch and satellite costs, and foster the curiosity of the next generation. At the same time, the future of the final frontier has never been more uncertain. In military terms, space is the ultimate high ground.
▶ 0:43:51Chair Cruz: A nation that dominates in space can deprive others not only of intelligence capabilities, but modern conveniences, like gps and satellite internet. Make no mistake, the chinese communist party has been explicit in its desire to dominate space. Putting a fully functional space station in low-earth orbit and robotic rovers on the far side of the moon.
▶ 0:44:20Chair Cruz: We are not headed for the next space race, it is already here. The president alluded to this in his inaugural address when he envisioned american astronauts on mars. I strongly support the presidential vision.
▶ 0:44:42Chair Cruz: In fact, my 2017 nasa authorization act was one of the very first pieces of legislation the president signed in his first term, explicitly enshrining this goal into law. With the pursuit of the next horizon, it cannot mean abandoning american dominance where it is already established.
▶ 0:45:06Chair Cruz: The international space station has been continuously manned for 20 years, serving as a hub for research and testing together with our international partners in space exploration.
▶ 0:45:21Chair Cruz: But we will eventually have to retire the iss, before that happens we must put the necessary systems in place to support and command american astronauts continually in low-earth orbit. We cannot surrender low-earth orbit to the chinese or to the russians.
▶ 0:45:45Chair Cruz: Likewise, the artemis mission, launched during the first trump term, is set to return american astronauts to the moon and establish a sustained human presence there. Joining us in the audience today, as we heard earlier this morning, are the four artemis ii astronauts, reid wiseman, victor glover, christina cook, jeremy hansen.
▶ 0:46:14Chair Cruz: [applause] in the next year, they will fly to and orbit the moon, setting a course for the artemis three return to the lunar surface in 2027.
▶ 0:46:36Chair Cruz: The artemis missions and the entire moon to mars program, which have enjoyed consistent bipartisan support, serve as a stepping stone to landing american astronauts on mars. In fact, this steppingstone approach is explicitly in the law as enacted by congress. We must stay the course.
▶ 0:47:04Chair Cruz: An extreme shift in priorities at this stage would almost certainly mean a red moon. Seating ground to china for generations to come. I am hard-pressed to think of a more catastrophic mistake we could make in space than saying to communist china, the moon is yours. America will not lead.
▶ 0:47:33Chair Cruz: So, I look forward to hearing from Mr. isaac meant about his goals for nasa, his commitment to artemis, how he intends to refocus and reinvigorate the agency and its core mission, and how he will ensure that america continues to lead the world in space exploration. Let me now turn to the fcc, which faces its own set of challenges.
▶ 0:48:00Chair Cruz: Their universal service fund was recently challenged in the supreme court. The broadcast ownership rules are not well adapted to the modern media environment. Most significantly, in march of 2023 the fcc lost its authority to conduct spectrum auctions for the first time ever. This ongoing lapse in authority has caused jobs and has weakened america's global standing.
▶ 0:48:32Chair Cruz: Increasing the amount of spectrum available for commercial use will unlock billions of dollars for domestic investment, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs. Olivia trusty has nearly 20 years of relevant experience. Currently she is a staff member at the armed services committee, chaired by our colleague, senator wicker, who will be introducing her this morning.
▶ 0:49:01Chair Cruz: She has also worked as a policy director here at the commerce committee, giving her well-rounded views of the interests of both the department of defense and the commercial industry when it comes to mid band and spectrum. I am confident she will be an asset at the fcc, where she will champion a spectrum pipeline, protect free speech, and ensure access to fast and affordable internet.
▶ 0:49:29Chair Cruz: I look forward to hearing from both of today's nominees and hearing how they hope to advance american greatness within their institutions. I now turn to ranking member cantwell for her opening remarks.
▶ 0:49:42Sen. Cantwell: Thank you, Mr. chairman good morning to our two nominees. Congratulations on this nomination. Mr. isaac men, for nasa, miss trusty for the federal communications agency. First, Mr.
▶ 0:49:59Sen. Cantwell: Isaacman, nomination for the administrator of nasa, as my colleague just said, the space race is heating up and he will have the critical task of delivering mission-critical on-time time and on budget challenges for the united states of america over the next four years to make sure that we don't lose in that space race, including successful execution of the artemis program that will take the united states back to the moon and the ultimate goal,
▶ 0:50:30Sen. Cantwell: Mars, then at that -- nasa authorization bill that senator cruz and I cosponsored strongly backs the artemis program, including a lunar lander, redundancy, space launch system, and critical to getting americans back to the moon. The state of washington has long been a home to aviation.
▶ 0:50:56Sen. Cantwell: Now with over 40 companies across the state of washington producing space related products, we have over two thousand employees just on the artemis program. So, we are invested. They supply components for the gateway, the orion crew capsule, the two lunar landers, the sls heavylift rocket, and the ground system.
▶ 0:51:23Sen. Cantwell: Beyond that space exploration, nasa's also one of the top r&d organizations in the world. We had a chance to talk about that in my office, about their discoveries in science helping us with the aerospace industry overall.
▶ 0:51:41Sen. Cantwell: Nasa scientists and engineers provide crucial evidence and information to government and industry on issues like ai, quantum, advanced aerospace materials and advanced nexgen manufacturing. I know that a consortium in my state has been an applicant that nasa has been supportive of. I do have concerns moving forward about reports in the press about where the administration will come down on investments.
▶ 0:52:08Sen. Cantwell: I hope we can talk about this today and clarify your position as it relates to these priorities. In march of last month, it was reported that the trump administration was considering major changes to the artemis program. You two have also made past statements about changes to the program.
▶ 0:52:33Sen. Cantwell: If nasa does terminate the program and relies only on commercial rockets like spacex and origin, experts say americans won't get to the moon before the end of the decade. So, a lot of scientific analysis. And then the budget capabilities to convince our colleagues to make these investments. Like the chairman, I want to win the race.
▶ 0:52:59Sen. Cantwell: I want to make sure that china does not beat us to mars and I hope that even with these recent announcements of theirs, that we beat them to the moon. I strongly believe that safety and resiliency built through redundancy and innovation through competition is key. I would like to hear your son that this morning.
▶ 0:53:22Sen. Cantwell: We are also seeing the administration and doge specifically cancel research grants to fund a science agencies and layout highly skilled technical experts across the federal government. According to the news reports, nasa confirmed the doge -- confirmed the announcement by doge that 420 million dollars in seven cancel. This is a concern, sorting out how it impacts the different organizations.
▶ 0:53:52Sen. Cantwell: Meanwhile, tomorrow is the last day of work for several top nasa advisors, including the chief technologist and chief scientists. Their positions were eliminated because of the doge agenda. The fy 2026 budget request might cut the nasa science funding by half. Mr. isaacman, all of these are in the news.
▶ 0:54:16Sen. Cantwell: We will want to understand your commitment to these issues or understanding your strategy about how you see us making these commitments to invest in science for the future. Now, Ms. trusty. Welcome to you and your family, who is here. I think you definitely outnumber the astronauts in the room. We very much appreciate you. [applause] it's good to have that support.
▶ 0:54:47Sen. Cantwell: Your nomination comes at a critical time for the fcc. We want to have a communications system admired by the world. And we know you are no stranger to this issue, working very diligently for senator wicker on this committee and now on the armed services committee.
▶ 0:55:07Sen. Cantwell: The fcc plays a vital role in spectrum policy management of commercial airwaves and I have long advocated, as I said in my earlier statement, for a system, and in the first administration of trump, the auction involved selling the c band without proper authorization around the impact of altimeters creating problems that almost caused flights to be grounded, slowing down the implementation of 5g.
▶ 0:55:36Sen. Cantwell: I hope we will hear about that issue, how you see us getting a more balanced approach to communication. Because of the influence of the fcc over our most important institutions, like the media and the internet, the fcc is independent and not subject to direct presidential control. This tradition is under attack. The trump administration is seeking to bring independent agencies like the fcc under direct presidential control.
▶ 0:56:06Sen. Cantwell: Recently he fired two democratic commissioners at the end -- independent federal trade commission without cause. Based on a party affiliation, it sets a dangerous precedent. I expect this administration to maintain a full staff of five commissioners, including two democrats. Meanwhile, the trump administration share has launched a series of investigations into media companies the president doesn't like.
▶ 0:56:34Sen. Cantwell: I was happy to see this recent decision on holding up the ap. It's very important to have a very, very competitive landscape when it comes to media and news production. The fcc should return to its long-standing role of neutral independent regulator and I look forward to asking you questions about that again today. Again, congratulations on your nomination. Thank you, Mr. chairman.
▶ 0:57:02Chair Cruz: In a moment I will recognize senator wicker, but in addition to the four artemis ii astronauts here, we actually have a total of 10 astronauts in the world -- the room. Six more, the astronauts of polaris don, scott, sarah, and anna, and the astronauts of inspiration 4, kaylee, chris, and Dr. proctor.
▶ 0:57:31Chair Cruz: To the six of you as well, thank you for your service. [applause] I have to say, any time you have 10 astronauts in the room, this may be the most badass assemblage in a commerce hearing I've ever seen. With that, I recognize senator wicker to make an introduction.
▶ 0:57:57Sen. Wicker: Thank you, Mr. chairman. Yes, thank you for introducing all of our astronauts. As you can see, senator fischer and I are engaged in a little hero worship for you at the gavel. We started this.
▶ 0:58:15Sen. Wicker: I am absolutely delighted to introduce and recommend to the committee and to the senate olivia trusty as the next member of the fcc. I'm unqualified, actually, to, to tell what a great nominee she is. Also, I hope there is some work being done back at my office.
▶ 0:58:46Sen. Wicker: We have a number of staffers who slipped away. I think there are probably a number of people watching on the telephone. I am appreciative for this honor and appreciative to the president for, for, for making this nomination. Frankly, I cannot conceive of a more qualified nominee.
▶ 0:59:15Sen. Wicker: Olivia trusty performs work at the highest level of excellence. She does it for the right reasons. For seven years now, I have been the beneficiary of her expertise. Frankly, this committee and the armed services committee in the full senate have also been the beneficiary of her expertise.
▶ 0:59:40Sen. Wicker: When I became chairman of the commerce committee, I was fortunate that olivia agreed to join my committee staff. A few years later, I was, I became a ranking member of the armed services committee. I knew that there were 100 member -- one member of the committee staff I wanted to bring over to handle the portfolio there.
▶ 1:00:08Sen. Wicker: Olivia trusty has helped all of the said advance initiatives that made america more connected and secure. Missions that fall squarely within the federal communications commission pasta jurisdiction.
▶ 1:00:22Sen. Wicker: On technology, she has helped us pass legislation to improve maps , to ensure that broadband funds are directed to where they are most needed, and has brought us closer to getting more and more americans connected to high speed internet. Of course, we are not quite where we need to be. I think she will help us in this new position get there quicker.
▶ 1:00:51Sen. Wicker: Her work has contributed to the national security. She was instrumental in securing legislation to free domestic networks from communications equipment manufactured by foreign adversaries. She has been a leader on spectrum policy, an area that bridges technology and national security.
▶ 1:01:13Sen. Wicker: She has collaborated with members and staff across the commerce and armed services committees to find common ground between commercial and other interests. Olivia trusty wants to help our country maintain our leadership without risking national security. She has worked to make that happen. I could go on, but olivia does like brevity.
▶ 1:01:44Sen. Wicker: She chooses her words carefully and concisely. Let me just say, she plays chess, not checkers. She sees around the corners. She soon -- she shoots straight and she will shoot straight with members of this committee and the senate. She uses common sense. She uses adherence to the law. She will do so as a commissioner.
▶ 1:02:14Sen. Wicker: On a personal basis, she is serious about her faith. She is an ncaa gymnast at unc chapel hill. She is a mormon republican from maryland, for heaven's sake. [laughter] those of us who know her know that she'll do a magnificent job.
▶ 1:02:44Sen. Wicker: We are very fortunate that she has chosen to work in the public sector with the taxpayers and I could not give a more resounding endorsement to her nomination. Thank you, Mr. share.
▶ 1:02:57Chair Cruz: I will say that that is very impressive that she shoots straight. Shooting is a novel strategy in chess, but whatever works and gives you the check mate. There's more than one way to defeat the king. With that, I recognize the junior senator from montana, senator sheehy, to introduce Mr. isaacman. >> you had to be a junior in front of it?
▶ 1:03:25Chair Cruz: Still junior. >> I could stick around a long time.
▶ 1:03:31Sen. Cantwell: On the longest-serving junior member. [laughter] yeah, 20 four years, you can still be the junior member. I wear it with a badge of honor. >> thank you, chairman and ranking member. For 70 years, the united states has been at the forefront of space exploration. The president shows exactly the right man for the job, jared isaacman.
▶ 1:04:01Sen. Cantwell: I've known him personally for several years, cooperating with him on the educational experience for the next generation of explorers, astronauts, engineers, and pilots who attend space camp in huntsville, alabama. Both jared and I attended space camp, and arduous five day program for small children, lighting a spark in of us the dream of aviation and aerospace.
▶ 1:04:25Sen. Cantwell: We both dreamed of being astronauts, difference being that he actually is one where I had to settle for being the decidedly less cool title of senator. America has been pushing the boundaries of intellect and science. American should be deeply proud of the accomplishments of heroes like john glenn, many others. The sacrifice of these brave astronauts is what most americans know well.
▶ 1:04:55Sen. Cantwell: What they don't know is that behind each and every one of these heroes is a massive team of dedicated engineers, program managers, test pilots, welders, electricians, families who are the true heroes of the space program. To lead this team requires a leader who not only understands and believes in the mission but has the interdisciplinary skill sets to coordinate these teams to achieve critical outcomes.
▶ 1:05:22Sen. Cantwell: As we have unfortunately seen, nasa is struggling and has been for the last couple of decades. Since the columbia tragedy in 2003, which I remember like it was yesterday, nasa has been a struggling organization full of great people, searching for revival. For 10 years the united states of america was paying the russian government to send our own astronauts into space. This would make jfk and ronald reagan turn in their graves.
▶ 1:05:54Sen. Cantwell: And that recent mission that left astronauts stuck in space, we are reminded that much work still remains. The president and elon musk, one of our greatest outer space entrepreneurs, knew it was time for change. Enter jared isaacman.
▶ 1:06:10Sen. Cantwell: Despite his childhood desire, he found it he was smarter than most and started a disruptive software company in his garage which grew to be a tremendous multibillion-dollar success, which fueled his ascension into the hall of fame as a record-setting jet pilot, aggressive fighter pilot, and recently the first civilian asked her not conduct a spacewalk. On top of all of that, we share another passion, pediatric philanthropy.
▶ 1:06:39Sen. Cantwell: Jared has personally donated millions to improve health care for at risk children all over america, a cause that brought us together. Nasa is a point of pride for a generation, and it deserves strong leadership. Jared is an articulate leader, great father and husband, one of the smartest people in america, understanding not only how to manage complex organizations but how to design and engineer critical systems.
▶ 1:07:08Sen. Cantwell: To top it off, he knows how to fly spaceships. America has given us a mandate and nasa is in need of spiritual and organizational rejuvenation that takes fresh and bold leadership. I look forward to adding nasa administrator to his already remarkable resume. Thank you.
▶ 1:07:28Chair Cruz: Thank you. I now recognize Mr. isaacman for his opening statement.
▶ 1:07:33Mr. Isaacman: Thank you, senator, for the very generous introduction. Thank you chairman, ranking member, the distinguished members of the committee. I'm honored and grateful to be before you here today as the donald trump nominee for the national aeronautic aerospace administration. I have lived the american dream and of this nation a great debt.
▶ 1:07:59Mr. Isaacman: To work alongside the people who expanded humanity and brought us closer to the stars would be the privilege of a lifetime. Before I begin, I would like to acknowledge my crewmates, as you did earlier, senator, along with my wife, monica, had made two wonderful daughters sitting behind me, mila and liv. I'm a newcomer, so I thought I would share a bit about my story along with my understanding of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
▶ 1:08:29Mr. Isaacman: I'm an entrepreneur and my journey began when I took a risk and left school to build a company in my parents basement at age 16. I found success early in life and let my company into a multibillion dollar enterprise that employs thousands. I'm a pilot with an aeronautics degree in over 20 years I have flown 7000 hours in jets and military aircraft, performing an air shows.
▶ 1:08:54Mr. Isaacman: My passion for aviation led me to start another company, this time a defense aerospace business that operated the world's largest private air force. Our job is to fly fighter jets as adversaries, training american war fighters. We managed hundreds of millions in defense contracts and saved taxpayers billions along the way. I'm also an astronaut.
▶ 1:09:18Mr. Isaacman: I led two record-breaking missions to space with my talented team and we tested a spacesuit when orbiting farther away from the earth than any human since the last time america walked on the moon. Along the way, my two -- two crewmates became the women who have journeyed the farthest from earth ever. I am an advocate for science. In these missions we performed approximately 50 science and research experiments.
▶ 1:09:46Mr. Isaacman: I have publicly supported the observatory of the chandra acts and supported the hubble space telescope. Myspace career do not burden the taxpayers. They were privately funded and aimed at inspiring people all over the world.
▶ 1:10:05Mr. Isaacman: One example is the over $250 million that we raised to support saint jude research hospital in their critical work to make sure no child dies in the dawn of life and alongside these efforts I have donated hundreds of millions to charitable endeavors. I share all of this because I'm not a typical nominee for this position. I'm not a scientist. Relatively apolitical. Never worked at nasa. I do not think that these are weaknesses. The president found them to be strengths.
▶ 1:10:35Mr. Isaacman: If confirmed I will bring all of my experience to the quest to discover the secrets of the universe. On that note, nasa is the most accomplished and respective -- respected space agency in the world, but it is not without challenges. Presidents have been calling for a return to the moon since 1989 and $100 billion have been spent without the intended results. Most programs an entire spaceships are over budget and behind schedule. This is discouraging.
▶ 1:11:06Mr. Isaacman: When people look at the stars and wonder what is out there, they want the answers today and not decades down the road. I know it's not lost on members of this committee that we have geopolitical rivals moving at impressive speeds. It's imperative for our pride, our national security, and everything we stand to that we never come in second place. If confirmed and with the support and guidance of the president and members of congress, we will reinvigorate a mission first culture at nasa.
▶ 1:11:36Mr. Isaacman: First, american astronauts will lead the way in the ultimate high ground to space, prioritizing sending american astronauts to mars, along the way inevitably gaining the capabilities to return to the moon and determine the scientific, economic, and national security benefits of maintaining a presence on the lunar surface, focusing on the world's greatest engineering challenges, like the practical application of propulsion so that we can unlock the ability to explore among the stars.
▶ 1:12:09Mr. Isaacman: Second, igniting a thriving economy in low-earth orbit in order to unlock the true economic potential of space and deliver meaningful benefits to the american people, potentially charting a course for nasa to become a financially self-sustaining agency. Number three, nasa will be a force multiplier for science, we will leverage those capabilities to allow institutions and industry to increase the rate of world changing discussions.
▶ 1:12:39Mr. Isaacman: We will endeavor to better understand our planet and the universe beyond. If confirmed, I will look alongside of recruiting the most talented binds the nation has to offer and we will concentrate resources to achieving the near impossible, the objectives that no other agency, company, or institution is capable of. We will do so knowing the risks and groundbreaking opportunities lying ahead, because some risks like exploring the worlds beyond hours, are worth taking.
▶ 1:13:14Mr. Isaacman: Inspiring the next generation to reach even further. This is why america needs nasa, the world needs nasa. There is no more important investment than inspiring our children to build a better and more excited future. The best way that nasa can do that by delivering on the mission and ushering in a golden age of science and discovery. We will not fail. Thank you.
▶ 1:13:37Chair Cruz: Thank you. Ms. trusty?
▶ 1:13:42Ms. Trusty: Thank you. Chairman, ranking member, thank you for convening this hearing. Senator wicker, thank you so much for your very kind introduction. It has been a privilege to work with you on your staff for nearly eight years, serving the people of mississippi and all americans. Thank you for the opportunity. I also think the president for the incredible honor of this nomination to be a commissioner at the fcc.
▶ 1:14:11Ms. Trusty: Last but not least, thank you to my family for their love and support. I will briefly introduce those who are here today and watching. My parents, my sisters, my brother my brother and sister-in-law, to my precious nieces and nephews.
▶ 1:14:37Ms. Trusty: Ella, jack, caroline, kay, is about -- isabel, I love you so much. Growing up with five sisters and one brother I was taught about the value of service. Through my parents' daily actions they emphasized helping others, whether through small acts or larger commitments. I have credited my parents' example for the example set by my paternal and maternal grandfathers, george and ernest.
▶ 1:15:10Ms. Trusty: Both of whom served our country in world war ii and the korean war respectively. Although my grandfathers came from different backgrounds, they shared a commitment to defending the country and protecting the values we all hold dear. What brings me here today is my desire to continue the shared commitment to public service and love of country that has been in my family for generations. When I first moved to washington, D.C.
▶ 1:15:33Ms. Trusty: After graduating from the university of north carolina at chapel hill, I begin my career in the public policy office of a telecommunications company. I was introduced to service pencils in the critical mission of the fcc. I saw firsthand how access to moderate communication services for americans living in rural and remote areas could change lives. I learned the value of simple internet connection.
▶ 1:16:02Ms. Trusty: It not only gives people the ability to stay connected with loved ones, but opens the job for economic opportunities and so much more. That allows americans to participate in society and an ever expanding digital economy. Following my time in the private sector, I worked in the house of representatives and in this hallowed chamber on communications, technology, consumer protection and national security.
▶ 1:16:31Ms. Trusty: All these policy areas are core to the fcc's mission to make available secure communication services. In carrying out the mission it is not lost on me the problem set facing the commission is vast and diverse. The agency must contend with geographic landscapes to achieve universal connectivity. , stay ahead of sophisticated -- it must ahead of sophisticated robo callers who are scamming youth and seniors.
▶ 1:17:02Ms. Trusty: We must work with partners to defend the security of argument occasions networks from the attacks of nationstate act. It must work collaboratively with public and private sector interests to ensure the net it states leads the world in next-generation communications. Notwithstanding these issues, it's been my unique experience working on this committee and the armed services committee has was the dedication and expertise of fcc staff, I believe the challenges can be overcome.
▶ 1:17:29Ms. Trusty: I would like to offer a short list of commitments how much I hope there is bipartisan consensus if confirmed. I will work with congress and the administration to expand access to high-speed internet services for all americans, protect consumers from illegal robo calls, strengthen the telecommunications networks, and strengthen communications technologies. Thank you for holding this hearing and I look forward to entering any questions.
▶ 1:18:00Chair Cruz: Thank you to you both. Mr. isaacman, let's start. You will oversee nasa's various field centers, mission directives, and affiliated activities. This includes artemis and the moon to mars program which aims to keep us one step ahead of nations like china and the fight for supremacy in space. The threat from china is very real.
▶ 1:18:25Chair Cruz: Just last week general salzman, chiefoperations for the space force, testified before the U.S.-china economic and security review commission that beijing has been explicit as recently as october of last year and stating that china intends to surpass the united states and become the world's preeminent space power.
▶ 1:18:49Chair Cruz: As general salzman put it, "chinas'advancement -- china's advancement and desire to dominate and beijing's disregard for international norms for the responsible use of space make them an incredible danger to U.S. prosperity and security." china said they will put a man on the moon by 2030.
▶ 1:19:14Chair Cruz: They will build a permanent lunar base there along with russia by 2035. Based on how quickly they have already progressed I think it is quite possible china reaches those milestones sooner than those dates and china reaches the moon before the end of president trump's current term. Mr.
▶ 1:19:38Chair Cruz: Isaacman, if china beats us to the moon, what consequences might america face?
▶ 1:19:46Mr. Isaacman: I really appreciate that question. I could not agree more with all of your commentary, including your opening remarks. We certainly cannot lose. If we do not lead the way and we are following, we might be following forever and the consequences could be extraordinary.
▶ 1:20:08Mr. Isaacman: Even if you are talking about things that have a low probability, for example on the lunar surface, helium 3 becomes a source of fusion power, it could shift the balance of power on earth. I don't think we could afford to find that out the hard way. Space is the ultimate high ground. We cannot afford to see that ground -- seed that ground.
▶ 1:20:33Chair Cruz: My to did a visual representation of the stakes. It's a simple question. What does the future look like in 2030? I will note my team used chatgpt to make this poster. [laughter] my immediate comment on seeing it is the american flag is too damn small. I was told it was difficult to be a bigger american flag with ai.
▶ 1:21:05Chair Cruz: It does give a sense of exactly what the choice is we are facing now. When we met in my office, you said beating china back to the moon was "critical for our national interest." you also said if president trump turns on the television and sees chinese astronauts on the surface of the moon before americans, you said you would be fired that day.
▶ 1:21:32Chair Cruz: In your written testimony, you said, "we will prioritize sending american astronauts to mars." there seems to be a bit of tension between the commitment you made in my office and your testimony. What is your view? Will you maintain course with the artemis program so that we can return american astronauts to the moon before president trump leaves office?
▶ 1:21:59Mr. Isaacman: Mr. chairman, I really appreciate the statement. I cannot agree more with the president and his inspiring and ambitious goal to send american astronauts to plant the stars & stripes on mars. He didn't say we shouldn't go to the moon. I suspect the president, and probably a lot of americans feel is what is taking us along to get back to the moon and why is it costing so much money? I want to see us return to the moon, as I mentioned in my prepared remarks.
▶ 1:22:30Mr. Isaacman: Determine the economic, scientific, and national security value while we are also proceeding towards mars. I don't think we have to make any tough traits here, senator. If we can concentrate our resources at the world's greatest space agency, we don't have to make a binary decision. I think we can be parallel in these efforts and doing the near impossible which is why the american taxpayers funded nasa in the first place.
▶ 1:22:57Chair Cruz: I will say on the question of whether nasa has to implement moon and then mars, the united states law is explicit and unequivocal on that. 51 usc section 20302, which senator cantwell and I wrote, says vision for space expiration.
▶ 1:23:19Chair Cruz: The administrators the administrator shall develop a sustained human presence in cis lunar space around the moon is a stepping stone to future expiration of mars and other destinations. The notion of the moon is a steppingstone is explicitly in U.S. law. You acknowledge that?
▶ 1:23:39Mr. Isaacman: Yes, I do.
▶ 1:23:41Chair Cruz: Given the current nasa budget, if we assume we are not going to see a dramatic shift in nasa's budget doubled tomorrow, do you believe it is possible to stand up a full mission to the moon and a full mission to mars simultaneously?
▶ 1:24:02Mr. Isaacman: As I mentioned in my prepared remarks, we can absolutely do that. We can figure out the space economy and low earth orbit. This is the agency that went from sending alan shepard on a sub-orbital mission in eight years later we saw neil armstrong and buzz aldrin on the surface of the moon. Do I think we can get back to the moon and chart a course for mars and do the other things? Absolutely.
▶ 1:24:29Chair Cruz: Do we have your commitment you will not allow the scenario on this poster to happen? China will not beat us to the moon? One of these heroes sitting in this room will set his or her -- as a father of daughters have excited artemis is committed it will be a her, the first woman on the moon and she will be an american astronaut -- do we have your commitment that we will win the race to the moon and china will not beat us?
▶ 1:25:00Mr. Isaacman: I only see the left end portion of that poster.
▶ 1:25:03Chair Cruz: Next time we will make the making five bigger. -- the american flag bigger.
▶ 1:25:10Sen. Cantwell: Unanimous consent that the post be placed in the record.
▶ 1:25:15Chair Cruz: Without objection.
▶ 1:25:18Sen. Cantwell: And continuing on the same point, I have no doubt of your capabilities at the technical side of this and the expertise on the aviation and space side. It's a question of a long-term challenge of different administrations to deliver on the goal and how each administration and each congress does or does not support it.
▶ 1:25:45Sen. Cantwell: I view your job as wrangling the powers that be to support the mission and understand what it will take to support the mission. Like senator cruz, I want to understand more about your commitments. The most recent economic impact report highlighted in fiscal year 2023, nasa project to generate more than $75 billion in economic output.
▶ 1:26:11Sen. Cantwell: The national academy studies chaired by norm augustine found nasa's budget office often incompatible with the scope, complexity, and difficulty of the mission work. We end up shortchanging it to certain degrees. I want to understand what your commitment is. There has been so much in the press. You commit not to closing any of the nasa 10 centers or critical infrastructure about the express authorization of congress?
▶ 1:26:40Mr. Isaacman: Senator, you have my commitment to work alongside congress. I think nasa will require the best and brightest from across the nation and all of our critical infrastructure to achieve its mission to do the near impossible for all humankind.
▶ 1:26:56Sen. Cantwell: D.C. reasons to close the centers?
▶ 1:27:00Mr. Isaacman: There's only so much I can be briefed on in advance of this opportunity. I fully spec to roll up my sleeves and determine where all our best resources are so we can get back to achieving the mission as quickly as possible.
▶ 1:27:15Sen. Cantwell: The 2024 national academies report noted the use of service and fixed contracted early stage of technology develop it can jeopardize mission success integrate nasa's technical capabilities -- and degrade nasa's in-house technical capabilities. Do you agree with that statement?
▶ 1:27:46Sen. Cantwell: They could be dilatory us -- deleterious?
▶ 1:27:50Mr. Isaacman: First, having run a defense aerospace company for more than a decade I am a fan of fixed price contracts and being held accountable to what we bid. In terms of the difference between nasa's in-house expertise in what commercial industry is able to provide, I believe nasa should be working on the near impossible that no one else is capable of doing. When they figure it out, commercial industry brings the rest of the world to follow.
▶ 1:28:21Sen. Cantwell: You might be one heck of an algebra nor in relation to science -- entrepreneur in relation to science but it will not matter if we make bad decisions based on somebody's arbitrary budget analysis instead of the long term mission. How do you think we are going to accomplish this so we have -- listen, the more we can ask plainest everybody, the more my colleagues will support it at a budget.
▶ 1:28:48Sen. Cantwell: The markets s -- the more gets slashed and burned by doge, the more harmful it can be for undermining people supporting the mission. The challenge is to move us forward at a critical moment. Where are you -- do you believe we should have a reduction of workforce or the science budget?
▶ 1:29:09Mr. Isaacman: Senator, I read what is on nasa watch and in the news like anybody else. If I'm confirmed, I'm eager to understand all the considerations and discussions made about a reorganization. I believe we are going to need the best and brightest to do the near impossible and we should be concentrating all resources on the most critical objectives I outlined in my opening remarks.
▶ 1:29:34Sen. Cantwell: Do you support the continued artemis mission with the space launch system?
▶ 1:29:42Mr. Isaacman: I believe that is currently the plan. I would like to see nothing more than artemis ii go around the moon and then watching her friends walking among. The question is why has it taken so long? Why is the cost of much money?
▶ 1:29:55Sen. Cantwell: Are we going to commitment this -- in the issue of committing to this, the lender redundancy are like people see that as a we are going to the moon and going to get this done, not this discussion if we will skip these things, shortchange this, and then focus on mars in a different route. That is what I'm trying to get from you. I get the you are saying it is the current plan. I'm asking is a nominee to run the organization do you have a different view of that?
▶ 1:30:24Sen. Cantwell: You think right now there's a different way to do this?
▶ 1:30:27Mr. Isaacman: Not just as a nominee but as a space enthusiast to once my daughters to see american astronauts walking on the moon, it was the left-hand side of the poster on fully supportive of. I would like nothing more than the D.C. artemis ii -- fantasy artemis -- than to see artemis ii get around the moon.
▶ 1:30:50Mr. Isaacman: We can chart a course for mars in line with the president's vision to return to the moon before the chinese can get there and figure out the space economy and do the other things.
▶ 1:30:59Sen. Cantwell: The program on thermoplastic composites, do support that program at nasa?
▶ 1:31:05Mr. Isaacman: Nasa has the best engineers and scientists and we should be working on cutting edge technology.
▶ 1:31:11Sen. Cantwell: I will want for the record if you support that. In clarity. Not just I like cutting edge technology. These are really big decisions that lots of us have already weighed in on. We want to know if they will get slashed monday because the president wakes up one day and says he doesn't want to do it. It will take all of us working together. Ms. trusty, I don't want you to be ignored in the conversation. My time is expired.
▶ 1:31:43Sen. Cantwell: I will want to come back to you on the mvd, to broadcasters getting more ability in the marketplace. You want a vibrant news competition when it comes to local journalism. Pre-that case at the fcc. I will take that for -- reopening that case for the fcc. I will take that in the second round. We need a lot more chess playing at the fcc. Thank you.
▶ 1:32:13Chair Cruz: Grand master wicker.
▶ 1:32:17Sen. Wicker: You can go out and shoot skeet and then come back and play chess. Thank you very much. Let me direct my first question to Mr. -- to Mr. isaacman. Nasa has eight field centers. One is the john c stennis space center in mississippi. It is home to nasa's largest rocket propulsion test site.
▶ 1:32:48Sen. Wicker: If we did not have that, we would have to build another one. The space center hosts a number of companies working on commercial space programs. The infrastructure represents substantial government investment, as well as private investments. The day after you are confirmed, will you visit me in mississippi at the stennis space center?
▶ 1:33:17Mr. Isaacman: I will get there as soon as I possibly can, senator.
▶ 1:33:22Sen. Wicker: I think that's a fair answer. Ms. trusty, let's talk about the plan for broadband bill. We finally got that reported a few weeks ago.
▶ 1:33:40Sen. Wicker: You worked with members of this committee, even as a staff member for the armed services committee in getting compromised language on the plan for broadband. Do we need it? What accommodations did we make to get everybody on the same page?
▶ 1:34:05Ms. Trusty: Thank you so much.
▶ 1:34:07Sen. Wicker: Take about a minute and a half.
▶ 1:34:10Ms. Trusty: Thank you for your leadership on this issue. Interagency coronation is critical to closing the divide. There are about 100 30 broadband programs across 15 different agencies. The programs are fragmented and duplicate if.
▶ 1:34:30Ms. Trusty: There's an opportunity to streamline, consolidate, and coalesce these programs so the resources are better targeted to underserved areas to get communication services to rural remote areas that lack connectivity right now and close the digital divide. I think the plan for broadband act is the key to the solution.
▶ 1:34:54Ms. Trusty: He creates a strategy that will help us to target resources better to underserved community so everybody can lead participate in the global digital economy.
▶ 1:35:03Sen. Wicker: We had to accommodate high cost areas and also do some compromising on the spending cap. I do appreciate that.
▶ 1:35:18Sen. Wicker: Let me ask in the last two minutes, during covid-19, the broadband across europe suffered several disruptions. Did we have the kind of disruption in the united states? Was there a difference? Why do you think things may have turned out differently in europe as opposed to here in the united states?
▶ 1:35:49Ms. Trusty: Thank you so much. The reason why we did not face the same issues here during the pandemic is because competition and innovation and light regulatory framework worked well. We have not seen the predicted harms materialize in the absence of more prescriptive legacy regulations.
▶ 1:36:13Ms. Trusty: Under your leadership, when I was on this committee, to ensure consumers were protected you set up a bipartisan child he working group to put -- neutrality working group to ensure consumers were protected regardless, but we had a modern framework. I thought that was a great example of how to move forward with our next-generation networks to ensure consumers continued to have access to critical services.
▶ 1:36:42Sen. Wicker: Has there been any throttling or blocking in the united states in recent years?
▶ 1:36:48Ms. Trusty: I'm not aware of any predicted harms materializing that were projected during the debate a couple of years ago.
▶ 1:36:56Sen. Wicker: Thank you very much. Thank you, Mr. chairman.
▶ 1:37:00Chair Cruz: Senator kim.
▶ 1:37:03Sen. Kim: Mr. isaacman, I would like more clarity about are you committed to having a permanent presence on the moon.
▶ 1:37:13Mr. Isaacman: Senator, the biggest thing is getting back there. It has been taking a very long time. The american taxpayers have invested a lot.
▶ 1:37:23Sen. Kim: I agree on that front. We can take that for granted. The chairman laid this out in the poster was not just about getting back to the moon. It was about sustaining a presence on the moon. I feel like I don't have a good understanding of what your actual position now is on that.
▶ 1:37:42Mr. Isaacman: The first step is to return to the moon and determine its economic and scientific and national security value.
▶ 1:37:51Sen. Kim: I saw that in your statement. I was confused. In your response to the chairman you talked about how -- helium 3 could shift the balance of power here on earth. What else are you looking at? What is in your mind beyond helium 3 and the impacts when you're talking about scientific, economic, and national security?
▶ 1:38:16Mr. Isaacman: That is what we need to get there to find out. All the best science fiction movies have something like helium 3 has the economic justification for an enduring presence not just on the moon but throughout space expiration.
▶ 1:38:32Sen. Kim: We are talking about the moon and mars priorities, you are more definitive about saying we need to get to mars. I want to ask you the same question. Port of the scientific, economic, and national security priorities you see more clearly when it comes to going to mars right now then in terms of having a permanent presence on the moon?
▶ 1:38:51Mr. Isaacman: To be clear, I hope in the future we have lots of space stations, a full lunar outpost to mars outpost in pushing beyond that. I'm saying we need to get back to the moon and figure out why we need to be there.
▶ 1:39:04Sen. Kim: Why do we need to be -- you seem more definitive about getting to mars and putting resources towards that effort. What are the specific economic, scientific, and national security interest you see there? I get a sense you have greater clarity than you do when it comes to the moon.
▶ 1:39:24Mr. Isaacman: I would hope you are getting a sincere answer for me that we should be doing both and the other things.
▶ 1:39:31Sen. Kim: Moon and mars on the current national budget? --nasa budget?
▶ 1:39:37Mr. Isaacman: I hope so. Nasa was built to do the economy and continue extraordinary science missions to honor the secrets of the universe. -- unlock the secrets of the universe.
▶ 1:39:50Sen. Kim: We need more clarity in how we talk about our objectives when it comes to the moon. We have more clarity about what china's objectives are. I hope that is something you can clarify quickly if confirmed. When it comes to the international space station, what is your perceived timeline in terms of when we should be starting to bring that down?
▶ 1:40:12Mr. Isaacman: I don't know if any reason we should bring it down before what is currently scheduled. What we need to do is maximize its remaining life, get as much of the high potential science and research to the station, figure out what the space economy is so when the date has come to handed off to the commercial destinations they are in a financially self-sustaining type way.
▶ 1:40:34Sen. Kim: You talked about the space economy. In terms of what should succeed the space station, should it be commercial only or do you see prospects of the U.S. government or government run space station to succeed the international space station?
▶ 1:40:49Mr. Isaacman: If we don't figure out the space economy, whether it is commercially operated or not, it will be financially sustained by the government.
▶ 1:40:58Sen. Kim: I'm asking do you have a preference in terms of seeing a sense of -- the need for a government-run -- what is it that nasa can do that commercial efforts can't do?
▶ 1:41:14Mr. Isaacman: That's a fantastic question. The line should be drawn in terms of nasa undertaking the near impossible challenges that no company or organization or agency anywhere in the world would be able to undertake. I gave a very good example in my opening remarks on nuclear propulsion. That is something no company would ever embarked upon. There's no obvious economic return. There are regulatory challenges. That is the thing that nasa should be concentrating its resources on.
▶ 1:41:43Sen. Kim: I know I'm running out of time. It is hard to see. We are very proud of the astronauts that are here in the room. I think I can speak for them and say we also recognize the importance of the civil servants playing so many different roles for the safety and innovation that is out there. As I expressed, I'm concerned about how the administration has approached what I believe are indiscriminate cuts at different agencies.
▶ 1:42:11Sen. Kim: If confirmed, I hope you stand up against and discriminate cuts. We are recognizing their places for efficiencies but we need to protecting the expertise out there. I will yield back.
▶ 1:42:25Chair Cruz: Senator fischer.
▶ 1:42:27Sen. Fischer: Thank you to our nominees today for your commitment to public service. I appreciated meeting with you to learn more about your experience and goals. If confirmed -- as you know, one of my top goals is to maintain a steady and predictable universal service fund. Congress' intent has been clear. We must keep all americans connected.
▶ 1:42:55Sen. Fischer: I look forward to cochairing the universal service fund working group was senator lujan to advance the priority. Ms. trusty, how do you view the universal service fund and his mission to universal service?
▶ 1:43:10Ms. Trusty: Thank you for the question and thank you for the time. It was great to meet with you and discuss your priorities. The universal service is the cornerstone of the fcc's mission. The fund itself has connected millions of americans across the country.
▶ 1:43:30Ms. Trusty: There somewhat of an uncertain future in the universal service fund as a constitutional challenge before the supreme court and the contribution base is shrinking as more americans shift to internet-based giving occasions. It is incumbent upon the fcc to work closely with congress and interested stakeholders to identify a specific predictable insufficient form of support is required in the committee occasions act to continue meeting the needs of americans across the country -- communications act.
▶ 1:44:00Sen. Cantwell: From my --
▶ 1:44:02Sen. Fischer: From my experiences on this committee I appreciate the differing cultures, missions, and priorities of the various spectrum stakeholders. I have seen the consequences when they conflict. I worry that federal missions, including national security, can be undermined because of these frictions. Particularly when collaboration amongst stakeholders is strained and consists cannot be reached. Ms.
▶ 1:44:31Sen. Fischer: Trusty, what do you think the appropriate role is for the fcc in its engagement with the department of defense?
▶ 1:44:39Ms. Trusty: I appreciate this question because I know this is such an important topic and a sensitive one. As you noted, I worked in both the armed services and commerce committee's, both great expenses. During my time on the armed services committee I developed a greater appreciation for dod's national security mission and how critical spectrum is in carrying out that mission.
▶ 1:45:04Ms. Trusty: I also know from my time on the commerce committee that spectrum is the lifeblood of wireless communications. It is essential to leading our economic objectives to mystically and abroad. Given these experiences I can certainly help find solutions where there is common ground, where we don't have to sacrifice our spectrum for war fighting needs and create opportunities to create spectrum for commercial use.
▶ 1:45:31Ms. Trusty: Everybody in the same room at the same time, hearing the same things, otherwise there's information that gets lost in translation, contribute into misalignment. It can further promote transparency and accountability in these processes.
▶ 1:45:47Sen. Fischer: How do you think the dialogue can become more constructive? Do you have any suggestions on how to do that? As a member of the staff on the armed services committee you had access to classified briefings that others do not have access to. You have a fuller understanding of what is at stake here. How can we have a constructive dialogue?
▶ 1:46:14Ms. Trusty: That is the issue. When I was on the commerce committee I did not have full clearance so I was not privy to many of dod's assets and capabilities. When I was on the armed services committee I could understand better why some of the assets and systems were so essential. I will say I think we have to find a way to accommodate national security and economic interests.
▶ 1:46:43Ms. Trusty: If either side fails, global competitors win and that would have a devastating consequence to our economic and national security.
▶ 1:46:50Sen. Fischer: I think we are beginning to achieve that. Looking at the international role on telecommunications, how can a more unified position among federal agencies boost the united states' global leadership? How can we ensure national security perspectives are included in an overall position we have for this country?
▶ 1:47:16Ms. Trusty: I have the opportunity to attend the last wrc in dubai. The take away was that america did not put our best foot forward because we did not have a unified approach to our spectrum policy. If we have a unified strategy where we highlight key U.S.
▶ 1:47:38Ms. Trusty: Interests with respect to both our economic and national security, it gives us more time and space to work with our international partners and allies to develop coalitions where they have a lot of similar interests. That way we can preempt those attempting to undermine U.S. values among other things.
▶ 1:47:56Sen. Fischer: If confirmed as an fcc commissioner, the commission as a whole would definitely have a leadership role in that process, correct?
▶ 1:48:06Ms. Trusty: Absolutely. The department of typically runs the wrc process. Fcc certainly contributes to that.
▶ 1:48:18Chair Cruz: Senator klobuchar.
▶ 1:48:21Sen. Klobuchar: . You win the prize for best name, Ms. roth Ms. r trust. -- Ms. trusty. How do you think the fcc should modernize the usf to ensure long-term sustainability?
▶ 1:48:44Ms. Trusty: I know there are a number of proposals on the table, whether it comes from identifying a specific predictable or sufficient funding resource to ensure the universal service fund can continue to meet connectivity needs across the country.
▶ 1:49:06Ms. Trusty: I think all those things should be discussed between the fcc and congress to ensure we can meet connectivity needs across the country.
▶ 1:49:15Sen. Klobuchar: I work with senator wicker on the data act to improve the accuracy of the fcc's broadband availability maps. More work needs to be done. How will you continue to work to ensure the accuracy of the maps?
▶ 1:49:29Ms. Trusty: I was on this committee when the broadband data act was passed with the goal of making sure we knew where broadband was available and not to better target resources to underserved areas. As a part of that law there is opportunity for a challenge process where folks can challenge the accuracy of the data to help improve the accuracy of the maps.
▶ 1:49:52Ms. Trusty: I think the fcc should work with the private sector stakeholders who produce their own maps to inform the accuracy of the maps so we can better target resources to areas who remain underserved.
▶ 1:50:07Sen. Klobuchar: Very good. As you know, I care about getting the broadband funding out. I will ask you a question. Thank you. Mr. isaacman, welcome. We had a good talk over the phone. I mentioned stan was important to me. I was looking back in 2017.
▶ 1:50:34Sen. Klobuchar: President trump signed into law -- senator fischer called me from the white house. She said what is this bill of years he is signing in the law? They did an event. It was the bill authorizing the nasa administrator to encourage women to study stem.
▶ 1:50:55Sen. Klobuchar: Could you talk about promoting the stem workforce and your role are confirmed as nasa administrator how you can inspire more people to go into stem in general? Just coming up the robotics competition in minnesota on saturday.
▶ 1:51:12Mr. Isaacman: The first step is I'm still working on getting my two daughters to grow up and enter into the stem fields. I have tried with spaceflight and I will get there. I would love to answer that in two parts. The first thing is a fundamental obligation of nasa to inspire the next generation to be scientists, engineers, astronauts, pilots, doctors, researchers.
▶ 1:51:40Mr. Isaacman: The best way nasa can do that is by executing on its mission. That is what is going to have children dressing up as astronauts and scientists for halloween, to get back to the men, get to mars, to inspire the world with whatever the replacement is someday for james webb that gives us 100 times the resolution. The next part is about nasa being a force multiplier for science.
▶ 1:52:06Mr. Isaacman: Once we inspire them in their youth they grew up and join this grand endeavor, we want to get them hands-on in their various academic institutions. I think nasa can lend its expertise, its talent, its bulk buying of rockets, standard bus architecture and get academic institutions to contribute whether it is building probes or sensors. Get them hands-on so they want to join the greatest space agency in the world.
▶ 1:52:31Sen. Klobuchar: Very good. Not just with space but also with medical development because of a combination of mapping of the human genome, the home of the mayo clinic in minnesota, and the potential of ai when it comes to things like rare diseases. We are just on the cusp of scientific development bursting out. I get concerned about some of these cuts to science-based research and agencies across the government. Not just space related.
▶ 1:53:05Sen. Klobuchar: Will you be an advocate for science within the administration?
▶ 1:53:08Mr. Isaacman: Yes ma'am. I believe the president is looking to usher in a golden age of science and discovery. I spent the day with 50 researchers sharing results for my most recent mission to space. I would love to continue to see nasa try to unlock the secrets of the universe.
▶ 1:53:27Sen. Klobuchar: Thank you. >> phenomenal plug for minnesota.
▶ 1:53:32Sen. Klobuchar: I always find a way. You will learn that soon, Mr. mareno.
▶ 1:53:43Sen. Moran: Certainly to Mr. isaacman, wichita and particular, the air capital the world. These astronauts, when I have a conversation with them by phone they asked me, do you know you have the greatest space museum in the world in kansas? What is said I know that. I'm just pleased you know that. Can I tell the rest of the world you are saying those things? I think you for the opportunity.
▶ 1:54:11Sen. Moran: The cosmos f the cosmos phere in hutchinson, kansas. I appreciate the friendship we've had over a long time of my office at dirksen. We've had conversations in the hall for a long time. I have great faith in you. Let me ask -- on that topic, it's been my disappointment over time to watch the fcc become much more partisan and incapable of reaching decisions.
▶ 1:54:41Sen. Moran: It has changed in the time I have been in the senate, as the senate has changed in the time I have been in the senate. I encourage you to use every effort to find ways to find solutions to problems and bring the commission together to serve the american people. I don't know I need to ask you but I assume you would say you will do so.
▶ 1:54:59Ms. Trusty: Absolutely, senator.
▶ 1:55:02Sen. Moran: I want to mention spectrum policy. Looking at congress' options about authorities to the fcc, when it comes to reauthorizing the spectrum auction authority, what would your recommendations be?
▶ 1:55:20Ms. Trusty: I think this is very important. I would recommend congress restore authority as soon as possible. It can be a catalyst to investment and innovation as it relates to expanding broadband infrastructure across the country. I think it serves as a signal to the rest of the world about how we are prioritizing our telecommunications policy and where we are going. This is underpinning every application we can think of.
▶ 1:55:49Ms. Trusty: Artificial intelligence, quantum computing and more. By showing we have confidence in our regulatory processes and frameworks to have auction authority restored, to support that innovation, that will go a long way.
▶ 1:56:02Sen. Moran: Ms. trusty, media ownership is in the news again. Do you believe it's important for the fcc to rid us of rules that are no longer necessary?
▶ 1:56:17Ms. Trusty: I definitely think we need a modern regulatory framework that reflects the realities of today's video media marketplace. The media marketplace has changed dramatically over the last two decades, driven largely by technology advancements and changes in consumer preferences. Consumers have access to all sorts of things.
▶ 1:56:39Ms. Trusty: Your traditional broadcast and cable and flight video and social media, all things that make for a great personalized television viewing experience and things the fcc should continue to promote that allows broadcasters to effectively compete against technology companies for ad revenues, consumer viewers, and programming.
▶ 1:56:59Sen. Moran: It is true in rural america where the options are fewer than they used to be. Local programming is a difficult task to accomplish. I encourage you to pursue those changes. One more. Bead implementation.
▶ 1:57:16Sen. Moran: One thing we are worried about is the timing of the fcc's efforts in deploying broadband funds when bead is not completed. One goal is to make sure we don't overbuild and that you're not providing dollars to the same opportunities to provide broadband and internet services.
▶ 1:57:40Sen. Moran: Would you consider -- how would you consider the fcc holding off moving forward on allocating 5g funding until bead allocation decisions have been made to maximize that deficiency of the 5g funds?
▶ 1:57:56Ms. Trusty: This ghost of the heart of interagency coronation. Fcc and ntia need to be in constant contact so we can be better stewards of taxpayer dollars and ensure there is no duplication or overbuilding. There could be a possibility where bead infrastructure can be leveraged for usf funds but he goes to interagency coordination and making sure we are the best words of taxpayer dollars.
▶ 1:58:27Ms. Trusty: I would do that, senator.
▶ 1:58:28Sen. Moran: Mr. isaacman, I now have concerned about your leadership capabilities. You indicated you were working on getting your daughters to pursue stem education, both were shaking their heads this way. [laughter] I hope you can fare better at nasa.
▶ 1:58:47Mr. Isaacman: We are going to fix this, senator. [laughter]
▶ 1:58:54Sen. Moran: I will ask one question. Do you believe the current artemis architecture featuring sls rocket or orion spacecraft is the best and fastest way to beat china to the moon?
▶ 1:59:10Mr. Isaacman: This is the current plan. I believe it is the best and fastest way to get there. I don't think it is a long-term way to get to and from the moon and mars with great frequency. This is the plan we have now and we have got to get this crew around the moon and the following crew to land on the moon.
▶ 1:59:27Sen. Moran: Thank you. >> I recognize the senator from michigan.
▶ 1:59:34Sen. Peters: Congratulations to both nominees on your nomination. We had a great opportunity to talk yesterday in my office about a variety of issues. Artemis came up frequently, as it has come up with the frequently -- hearing freak the as well. -- the hearing frequently as well.
▶ 1:59:56Sen. Peters: Nasa can pursue the artemis program, a mission to the moon and a potential mars mission in parallel tracks is how you have been describing it. I'm concerned about the possibility of achieving that while we expect budget cuts to nasa. We have seen cuts and significant cuts I would argue to staff at nasa.
▶ 2:00:21Sen. Peters: My question for you is, do you agree that budget cuts would undermine that vision you are expressing?
▶ 2:00:28Mr. Isaacman: Senator, I think right now nasa has a pretty sure dairy budget -- extra near budget -- extraordinary budget. I do believe we can do the near impossible and have multiple flagship scientific missions at once. We can have multiple space exploration missions at once and try to solve the space economy in low-earth orbit.
▶ 2:00:55Sen. Peters: Even with budget cuts you will do that?
▶ 2:00:58Mr. Isaacman: I'm not familiar with what is being contemplated. I will absolutely do the most with the resources available to try to deliver on nasa's world changing mission.
▶ 2:01:09Sen. Peters: I think it is clear we will likely see constrained budget. How do you envision speeding up our timeline for the mars mission you talked about while also ensuring the artemis is properly resourced and protected from any future cuts that may come their way?
▶ 2:01:25Mr. Isaacman: Across-the-board we have to acknowledge our opening remarks. We have problems here. The president has called for a return to the moon and passed the mars since 1989. We have spent a lot of money and have not even gotten around the moon, let alone landing on it. I will roll up my sleeves and get in the trenches with the best and brightest and figure out where we have our program challenges, what is impeding progress, clear the obstacles and get back to delivering on the mission.
▶ 2:01:55Mr. Isaacman: If we do that, we will get the inspirational side of nasa going, the stem side growing, and the next generation but want to reach even further. -- will want to reach even further.
▶ 2:02:06Sen. Peters: Public private partnerships is a critical part of space expiration efforts. You know that firsthand from your flight to space twice with spacex. I understand you have business ties with spacex previous to your nomination as well.
▶ 2:02:26Sen. Peters: My question for you, given the fact elon musk serves as the ceo of spacex and a white house employee and leader over doge, which has significant influence over spending and contracts, at least that is what we have been seeing, I was happy to hear you say to me that you are not beholden to elon musk anyway. I want an opportunity to say that on the record.
▶ 2:02:53Sen. Peters: Have you had any communication, emails, text, or calls with elon musk regarding how your plan to manage nasa since you were nominated?
▶ 2:03:02Mr. Isaacman: Not at all.
▶ 2:03:03Sen. Peters: What steps please take two make sure he's not allowed undue influence given the extensive contracts he has with nasa to make sure he has no undue influence over the awarding or implementation of the contract?
▶ 2:03:21Mr. Isaacman: I absolutely want to be clear that my loyalty is to the nation, the space agency, and their world changing mission. I have to imagine in the 1960's, administrator webb would have welcomed the input from various contractors that were contrary to the endeavor. They are the contractors. Nasa is the customer. They work for us, not the other way around.
▶ 2:03:44Sen. Peters: Ms. trusty, you have a deep history working on defense-related spectrum issues that are absolutely critical to our security apparatus. Agencies other than the dod use spectrum for key public safety applications. I believe they need to be protected as well. One such band is 5.9, overseen by the department transportation.
▶ 2:04:13Sen. Peters: It allows the deployment of safety technologies including cellular, vehicle, to everything technology that enables collision avoidance, freight efficiency movements, and a lot more. In 2020, some spectrum was allocated away from the auto safety purposes which will reduce roadway safety in the long-term. I believe we cannot let that happen again. The senator from ohio will agree we have to make sure auto safety is always put at the forefront of considerations when it comes to the spectrum.
▶ 2:04:45Sen. Peters: If confirmed, will you commit to protecting the remaining auto safety spectrum from roadway safety innovation like the cellular vehicle to everything technology?
▶ 2:04:55Ms. Trusty: It is really important to me. I worked closely with vehicle safety issues. I'm very familiar with the safe -- lifesaving potential of cvx. If confirmed, my responsibility is to put spectrum to its highest and best use, maximizing its economic and societal benefits.
▶ 2:05:21Ms. Trusty: When it comes to vehicle safety that is a part of the information record and I'm happy to work with you to ensure it can be deployed with the resources it needs so it is readily available to all americans.
▶ 2:05:34Sen. Peters: I hope it is a priority and we will work closely with you.
▶ 2:05:40Ms. Trusty: Ms. trusty: thank you, senator. >> senator blackburn.
▶ 2:05:43Sen. Blackburn: Thank you to each of you forgetting the testimony in and being here today. We appreciate the opportunity to visit with you. Mr. isaacman, I was pleased to hear you talk about nuclear propulsion. We have oak ridge. We have arnold air which is the only place to do hypersonic testing. And of course, huntsville and marshall space flight is very close to our tennessee border.
▶ 2:06:14Sen. Blackburn: We have a lot of tennesseans that are there. He puts an emphasis on that. We agree with you that emphasis needs to be placed there. I want you to just give me a synopsis of what you think is the most important area of competition as we look at what is happening with china, russia, great power competition. North korea, iran. What they are doing.
▶ 2:06:43Mr. Isaacman: Thank you very much for the question. For starters, competition can work really well. I think competition from a commercial perspective is doing great. We have gone from a world where the nation have to depend on one loss provider and foreign technology. Now we have several providers able to help us accelerate people and astronauts into orbit.
▶ 2:07:11Mr. Isaacman: Competition works well on the global stage as long as we don't lose. Right now that could not be more important in the ultimate high ground of space. That is a critically important domain. Nasa will continue to press. I will lead the way but we need our partners in the department of defense, the space force, making sure they are watching him for us.
▶ 2:07:34Sen. Blackburn: Ms. trusty, welcome. I am pleased to see some many of your family numbers here to support you. To all of the nieces and nephews that are here.
▶ 2:07:48Mr. Isaacman: --
▶ 2:07:50Ms. Trusty: And siblings and friends. [laughter]
▶ 2:07:53Sen. Blackburn: She is really smart. She is working hard. We talked a little bit about spectrum. As you know, it concerns me that 60% of the mid-band spectrum was held by federal agencies. Much of that is sitting and not being used. We cannot afford that. We are commercializing only 5% of that.
▶ 2:08:19Sen. Blackburn: Talk to me about the importance of the ntia conducting an inventory, the importance of fcc supporting the inventory, the importance of congress restoring the ability to have spectrum auction authority.
▶ 2:08:40Ms. Trusty: Thank you for the question. I will start from the first part about restoring options. I think this is incredibly important to our economic and national security. Auction authority serves as a catalyst to investment and innovation. Not just for broadband across the country but for emerging technologies and applications that will allow us to be a global leader in technological innovation.
▶ 2:09:08Ms. Trusty: As far supporting an inventory, it can tell us what spectrum is being used and how. There may be some things that are classified and they will not be available to the public, but never so the committee can have access to the information -- but members of the committee can have access to the information. We need to have a full view of what is available, what is being used, so we can properly put spectrum to its highest and best use for economical --
▶ 2:09:37Sen. Blackburn: And maybe even share some of that spectrum?
▶ 2:09:41Ms. Trusty: As the studies indicate, yes ma'am.
▶ 2:09:46Sen. Blackburn: Talk about usf. They asked you about that. I think usf has outlived its usefulness. Did needs to be replaced with something different. We will see with the court has to say about it. Articulate reforms. If they say you can keep usf and replacement if they say you cannot.
▶ 2:10:10Ms. Trusty: I appreciate this question. Universal service is the cornerstone of the fcc's mission. It is part of the communications act to preserve universal service generally. There could be distribution reforms depending on what the facts tell us. There's an opportunity to have performance metrics for each of the programs to understand what the efficacy of each program in addressing the needs.
▶ 2:10:42Ms. Trusty: There can be oversight over eligibility requirements. There could also be better oversight over participating providers' compliance with programs to ensure the dollars are being targeted to those who need them.
▶ 2:10:55Sen. Blackburn: Thank you so much. I will send you one question on payola. That is so important to our artists in tennessee. To all the children, they deserve ice cream. They have been awesome today.
▶ 2:11:10Ms. Trusty: Thank you, senator.
▶ 2:11:15Chair Cruz: I would ask senator blackburn if the eye scheme limited to the children. -- ice cream is limited to the children.
▶ 2:11:23Sen. Blackburn: You showed up on time so you too deserve ice cream. I will make sure that lunch I serve you ice cream.
▶ 2:11:33Chair Cruz: Senator lujan.
▶ 2:11:36Sen. Lujan: , I will be joining you for lunch. It is good to see you both here and with family support. That means something. Ms. trusty, the supreme court oral arguments in the usf case, the solicitor general noted the fcc commissioner's do not have statutory and removal protections.
▶ 2:11:58Sen. Lujan: You stated the issue of removal was subject to pending litigation and that you would not waken. It appears president trump believes he can fire you it will, when confirmed. How you maintain your independence of the president can fire you simply because he may not like the position you take?
▶ 2:12:20Ms. Trusty: Thank you senator. I appreciate the question and understand the importance of the issue. My job, if confirmed, is to focus on upholding and enforcing the law. Whatever happens with pending litigation, my first obligation is to the facts, the law, and with respect to the proceeding before the commission. The fcc has a transparent and open process.
▶ 2:12:48Ms. Trusty: My commitment would be to making sure -- I have no fear -- without fear favor I would make a decision with respect to any individual or entity that comes up for the commission.
▶ 2:13:06Sen. Lujan: Yesterday I shared with you I was a former utility commissioner. The importance of the training I received as an administrative law judge. While we may be able to gather information elsewhere, it the importance of the record. The decisions made that are in front of you are based on the record that is established. Is that something you agree with?
▶ 2:13:30Ms. Trusty: Yes.
▶ 2:13:32Sen. Lujan: I have been very disturbed by the actions taken by chair carr to investigate broadcast companies for editorial decision-making. Chair carr restored complaint against abc about the debate between trump and harris. Come complaint it was rigged and they ought to take away their license for the way they did that.
▶ 2:13:59Sen. Lujan: Do you think it is appropriate for the president to call for the reload -- revocation of broadcast licenses?
▶ 2:14:04Ms. Trusty: I think president trump has first amendment rights to express his views. My responsibility is confirmed is to focus on the facts and the law in carrying out whatever the decision-making process is for
▶ 2:14:20Sen. Lujan: In march of 2025 chair carr gave an interview to bloomberg news in which he said any business is looking for fcc approval I would encourage them to get busy ending any forms of d.e.I. Discrimination. Chair carr said editorial decisions regarding an interview with vice president harris would factor into the review.
▶ 2:14:46Sen. Lujan: Do you think it is appropriate to consider a broadcaster's editorial decisions when reviewing a merger?
▶ 2:14:52Ms. Trusty: With respect to transactions I would look at them through the lens of what advances the public interest. These are facts-specific cases that require a thoughtful review. I would be guided by the statute.
▶ 2:15:07Sen. Lujan: Let me ask the question very clearly -- do you believe the fcc should be weaponized against media organizations?
▶ 2:15:16Ms. Trusty: No, senator.
▶ 2:15:18Sen. Lujan: I appreciate that. Mr. isaacman, I have questions for you. I am always aware of my colleagues' time as well. I will submit your questions to the record. I want to conclude sharing with you you have an ethical record, a strong reputation on capitol hill. Protect it. You have a bright future.
▶ 2:15:48Sen. Lujan: We need good democrats, republicans. I do not agree with all of your positions or my democratic colleagues' positions but the fcc should be a strong, independent body. We need good people there and I appreciate you being here today. >> before we continue, for the record, senator fetterman would like to be recorded as aye by proxy on the roth nomination.
▶ 2:16:18Sen. Lujan: >> the record will be corrected to reflect.
▶ 2:16:25Sen. Sullivan: To our nominees, congratulations. Good to see so many families here. Ms. trusty, I want to get your commitment about the many challenges in alaska.
▶ 2:16:44Sen. Sullivan: You can bring your whole family, you can do it during the summer and go fishing but I need you to get up to my state and see the challenges as it relates to communications, broadband, internet connectivity. People talk about rural, and then there is alaska. Can I get your commitment to do that?
▶ 2:17:05Ms. Trusty: Absolutely, senator.
▶ 2:17:08Sen. Sullivan: The fcc commissioners have come to our state and they realize in terms of the fcc, there is the need for importance on flexible policies as it relates to alaska. They have referred to that as the fcc's alaska connect fund. Will you commit to me to working with -- on any future changes?
▶ 2:17:41Sen. Sullivan: There is a midpoint pause in the 2029 related to the pause that gives the fcc the opportunity to look at different flexibilities. Can I get your commitment to work on what was the alaska plan and now the alaska connect fund?
▶ 2:17:58Ms. Trusty: I would be happy to.
▶ 2:18:00Sen. Sullivan: It has strong bipartisan support in the fcc. Pretty much all of the commissioners have supported it. Can I get your commitment on that?
▶ 2:18:11Ms. Trusty: Yes, senator.
▶ 2:18:13Sen. Sullivan: Media ownership, Mr. isaacman, have you seen the movie "the martian?"
▶ 2:18:27Mr. Isaacman: Yes.
▶ 2:18:28Sen. Sullivan: When I took my daughters to see that, they were inspired. You have that hollywood version with all these smart, good-looking astronauts in our hearing room today. Can you give me your ideas on how to promote better through media, even maybe through hollywood, these upcoming missions to the moon, missions to mars.
▶ 2:18:59Sen. Sullivan: To inspire our young people? . I think it is a great opportunity. I do not think nasa has always embraced that opportunity. We have so many exciting things. How inspiring they can be two young americans to serve their country, to study science. Give me your thoughts on that, on what it opportunity we have.
▶ 2:19:25Mr. Isaacman: I completely agree. As I mentioned before it is a fundamental application of nasa to inspire the next generation to want to grow up and be scientists, engineers, researchers and set the bar even higher. The first step on that journey is to execute on a mission.
▶ 2:19:45Mr. Isaacman: Nothing will create more future scientists and engineers than seeing american astronauts on the moon, on mars in line with president trump's vision planning of the stars & stripes on mars. I think that is a fundamental obligation. We can do a better job if confirmed on emphasizing quality content over quantity. I think there are 300 different nasa social channels. They are awesome and put a lot of good things out.
▶ 2:20:16Mr. Isaacman: We can narrow that down and make sure we are capturing the really inspirational footage that inspires them to want to reach even higher.
▶ 2:20:22Sen. Sullivan: I think you will have strong bipartisan support for doing that. I want to get your commitment if confirmed to come to alaska.
▶ 2:20:29Mr. Isaacman: I have been fortunate to fly around alaska quite a bit and I would point out on aircraft off the assembly line in wichita. I am looking forward to returning.
▶ 2:20:41Sen. Sullivan: As you know -- you have helped pioneer commercial spaceflight, you know better than most that the future of space access is not just cape canaveral or vandenberg, it is spread across our entire country, including places like alaska. The official spaceport complex on kodiak island is the only spaceport in the united states.
▶ 2:21:13Sen. Sullivan: There is rising demand for facilities like that in kodiak in terms of both government and commercial launches. They have done both. I would like to take you out to kodiak island not just to see the largest brown bears in the world, of which we have thousands, but a really up-and-coming spaceport complex. Have you ever spent time at the kodiak spaceport complex?
▶ 2:21:38Mr. Isaacman: Senator, I have been there. I did not see any bears but I would love to return.
▶ 2:21:44Sen. Sullivan: You and I will return and get an eye on some bears, maybe do some fishing when Ms. trusty when she brings her family. That is a spaceport complex that has enormous potential.
▶ 2:22:00Mr. Isaacman: As mentioned before space is the ultimate high ground. It is a vitally important domain for national security. Frankly, we need more spaceports we need to ensure our exorcist to low-earth orbit and ensure security.
▶ 2:22:16Sen. Sullivan: Thank you. >> by the way, if anything, senator sullivan is underselling the fishing in alaska. It is phenomenal. It is not quite as big as texas.
▶ 2:22:33Sen. Sullivan: You do not want to do the size stuff with me. [laughter]
▶ 2:22:38Chair Cruz: Another massive state. >> that is correct. Delaware. We are the first estate. That is the most important thing. Welcome. I would like to start my questions with Ms. trusty. As an avid tech person myself, I love this stuff.
▶ 2:23:09Chair Cruz: Based on predictions, I have seen that 6g is coming sometime in the early 20 30's. I have heard exciting things about how 6g networks will be integrated with ai. In the house I lead bills on technology. It helped us train our workforce. Ai literacy is something I focused on.
▶ 2:23:40Chair Cruz: Being able to do things in real-time. Real-time adaptive changes. It also presents challenges. There were some issues that delayed the initial five you rollout, including huawei. I view the 6g rollout as crucial in our competition against china in the national security realm.
▶ 2:24:13Chair Cruz: If confirmed, what specifically do you think that fcc can do to ensure the 6g rollout is smoother than the 5g rollout was?
▶ 2:24:23Ms. Trusty: Thank you for the question and I agree with so much of what you said. I will start with cybersecurity and making sure networks are deployed in a secure way. I have been interested to see the creation of the national security council at the fcc and I think it is an opportunity for the fcc to leverage its authorities in the communications networks act to ban other vendors from our communications networks.
▶ 2:24:52Ms. Trusty: I think the fcc can promote the adoption of access network technology that can help diversify and strengthen our domestic supply chain so we are not overly reliant on one or two vendors. It can help security, competition and reduce the cost of providing networks in the first place.
▶ 2:25:11Sen. Blunt Rochester: I am a big supporter on strengthening our supply chain's. We have a cantwell blackburn rochester bill where we come together on these issues that will affect all of us. I want to discuss potential security concerns about 6g, given the flaws of 4g and 5g networks.
▶ 2:25:38Sen. Blunt Rochester: 100% of 4g networks were susceptible to denial of service attacks and 5g being vulnerable to network attacks. I know this is an easy one so maybe yes or no. Will you prioritize cybersecurity for 60 networks?
▶ 2:25:57Ms. Trusty: Yes, senator.
▶ 2:25:59Sen. Blunt Rochester: What other potential do you think the fcc can take to secure 60 networks?
▶ 2:26:07Ms. Trusty: A lot of this can be done through ai. I am excited about the development of the technology. Securing the network itself. If I am confirmed I would look to leverage artificial intelligence.
▶ 2:26:25Sen. Blunt Rochester: You preempted my next question which deals with -- a 400 million -- 4 billion robocalls are made per month. Delaware, we are the first state what I do not like the fact we are the first date in robocall complaints. I have received four of them while I am sitting here. There is now an ai power grandparent scam.
▶ 2:26:54Sen. Blunt Rochester: When I was in the house, I mention some legislation I introduced, but we had one on the font and scam reduction act. I encouraged the fcc -- I am encouraged that they now cover ai voice calls under the tcpa. Now, chair carr supported requiring callers to disclose up front to consumers when they receive an ai generated call.
▶ 2:27:25Sen. Blunt Rochester: Do you support requiring callers to disclose what it is an ai generated call?
▶ 2:27:32Ms. Trusty: I think that would be helpful in protecting consumers from illegal robocallers.
▶ 2:27:40Sen. Blunt Rochester: Should you be confirmed, I would like to continue to work with you. Mr. isaacman, we had a very good conversation, as well. I will be submitting questions for the record because I respect the chairman's time, so I yelled back.
▶ 2:27:57Chair Cruz: Thank you.
▶ 2:27:59Sen. Young: Thank you for being here today. Mr. isaacman, U.S. economy, national defense, infrastructure, they all rely on satellites these days for gps, weather, communications purposes, surveillance and much more.
▶ 2:28:23Sen. Young: A collision or a loss of key satellites could result in catastrophic national security and economic costs. As you know, the traffic, coordination system for space was launched in 2024. It is being developed to provide situational awareness data across civil, military and commercial sectors.
▶ 2:28:53Sen. Young: Mr. isaacman, if confirmed, how would you can -- ensure nasa works with dod on space situational awareness and space traffic management efforts?
▶ 2:29:05Mr. Isaacman: Senator, thank you for the question. This is a subject I am pretty passionate about. My two missions to space, the number one challenge we face was orbital debris.
▶ 2:29:20Mr. Isaacman: Nasa will play a role as this new front your cricketers to open and ideally we have a lot of space -- I believe all of the information we can gather from our assets on space debris should be funneled into a single mission control that has the ultimate situational awareness. The biggest threat is what we cannot track.
▶ 2:29:48Mr. Isaacman: The millimeter-sized objects at orbital velocity that could shred a spacecraft. We have to stop adding to the problem. The U.S. is very good at not adding to the problem. I cannot say the same for some of our geopolitical rivals, sir.
▶ 2:30:02Sen. Young: Maybe you could speak with a little more specificity about the gravity of the problem. Paint the picture for those watching the proceedings about how extensive this challenge has become and I will let you take it from there.
▶ 2:30:21Mr. Isaacman: Senator, absolutely. A lot of people think of, whether a discarded second stage in orbit or a defunct satellite as the problem. We know where they are and we can have trajectories that avoid them.
▶ 2:30:37Mr. Isaacman: The issue is the speck of paint falling out that satellite that is now traveling at 17,500 miles per hour that can collide with another object going 17,500 miles per hour. I saw what a one or two millimeter piece of aluminum does. It is eye-opening to say the least.
▶ 2:31:04Mr. Isaacman: It is an issue and we need to do what we can to avoid any conflict in low earth orbit to add to the problem. I think the U.S. does a fantastic job of doing this. We need to work to make sure less responsible actors do not add to the problem.
▶ 2:31:20Sen. Young: I would like to work with you on this challenge if you are confirmed. It sounds like you will be prioritizing this. Ms. trusty, the fcc's international bureau and telecom analysis bureau issues licenses to own and operate submarine cables and associated landing stations in the united states.
▶ 2:31:49Sen. Young: Commercial undersea telecom cables carry approximately 99% of transoceanic digital communication services, serving as a digital backbone for internet. Since 2022, russia has stepped up attacks on this infrastructure. In 2023, a chinese tanker previously departing a russian port cut two baltic sea cables.
▶ 2:32:16Sen. Young: Incidents like this, we are reading about them on a regular basis. Ms. trusty, what steps is the fcc taking to protect undersea cable infrastructure in the sense of data transmitted via undersea cables every day?
▶ 2:32:33Ms. Trusty: Thank you for the question. This is an important issue. I focused on it with the armed services committee. We need to do more to secure it. The fcc works closely with team telecom to review and improve undersea cable applications. We can promote more transparency so we have a better sense of what the risk might be. We should promote more U.S.
▶ 2:33:05Ms. Trusty: Projects and eliminate the risk entirely. In addition to that I think exploring the diversification of undersea cable routes to ensure there is no single point of failure to the extent an undersea cable is disrupted. As a protective measure we should work on strengthening our disaster recovery and emergency response plans given some cables are vulnerable to exploitation. If confirmed it would be a priority of mine.
▶ 2:33:32Sen. Young: My office will follow-up on you about some of your answers for further elaboration but I get the sense you are very much dialed into this. I will make one last comment. Setting standards, Ms. trusty, at the fcc through of -- international governing bodies is important.
▶ 2:33:58Sen. Young: We have been outflanked over the years by the chinese and others and we need to develop a unified position at the federal level between the fcc and state and ntia and various other entities so we can prioritize this moving forward. We will follow-up with a question for the record as well.
▶ 2:34:19Chair Cruz: Thank you. Senator duckworth.
▶ 2:34:24Sen. Duckworth: Thank you. I am looking forward to getting a bipartisan nasa authorization done to make sure nasa is able to execute its mission with congressional support, free of undue influence from any temporary government employees.
▶ 2:34:44Sen. Duckworth: According to a report, the prc is rapidly advancing a broad spectrum of capabilities as part of a sustained push to secure military power and expand presence in space. The prc has started building a second satellite internet constellation in low-earth orbit with a human presence at a space station.
▶ 2:35:06Sen. Duckworth: More than ever nasa's missions need to be consistent and laser focused and avoid major sub versions and divergence of funds not only for leadership but national security. I will ask you a couple of yes or no questions. First I want to say a human presence is crucial for research, testing technologies for future missions.
▶ 2:35:36Sen. Duckworth: A unique environment for research, development and training due to microgravity environment. Nasa contest exploration systems, conduct research and maintain exploration vital for missions on the moon and to mars. These are not things that can be done by machine alone. It will likely result in seating leadership to the prc. Do you support maintaining continuous human presence in low-earth orbit?
▶ 2:36:03Mr. Isaacman: I do, senator. If her usability has given us anything it is an affordable path to send american astronauts to low-earth orbit.
▶ 2:36:13Sen. Duckworth: Thank you. Elon musk suggested the strategic vae has run its course and should be de-orbited to focus on a mission to mars. For the last 26 years the strategic value of the international space station has been invaluable, serving as a beacon of the U.S. global leadership and a symbol of what we can accomplish.
▶ 2:36:39Sen. Duckworth: Funny enough, although I do not think it is funny at all, spacex has been awarded the contract to de-orbit the space station. Is there still utility for maintaining the U.S. presence on the iss through at least 2030?
▶ 2:36:55Mr. Isaacman: I think we need to use up every bit of life remaining on the international space station so we can crack the code on the space economy and better handoff responsibilities to commercial industry. I am familiar with Mr. musk's remarks. I think he is an accomplished entrepreneur and would like to understand his rationale just as administrator webb would like to hear from contractors during the 1960's.
▶ 2:37:24Sen. Duckworth: You do not think we should de-orbit the iss now?
▶ 2:37:30Mr. Isaacman: I do not. I think we need to make the most of the space station while we have it and see what we can accomplish in microgravity.
▶ 2:37:38Sen. Duckworth: Thank you. The artemis program is critical in reaching the moon. It is seen a stepping stone for broader exploration. And as a necessary preparation for eventually progressing to human mission to mars. I know a few of my colleagues have tried to get a specific answer out of you but you have afforded directly answering them. I ask again, Mr.
▶ 2:38:07Sen. Duckworth: Isaacman, do you support maintaining nasa's long-term mission to maintaining nasa's long-term mission to maintaining human activity on the moon?
▶ 2:38:16Mr. Isaacman: Senator, I am sorry if I am not sounding clear, I think it is imperative that we do both. That is what nasa was created to do. I would love to see this crew land on the moon, figure out security value what we are also charting a course in line with president trump's vision for president's stars & stripes on mars.
▶ 2:38:44Sen. Duckworth: You think we can do both simultaneously?
▶ 2:38:45Mr. Isaacman: We maintain a presence with dozens of scientific experiments.
▶ 2:38:52Sen. Duckworth: You think we can maintain a presence on the moon at a bar simultaneously?
▶ 2:38:56Mr. Isaacman: I think we can do the moon, the mars and beyond.
▶ 2:39:01Sen. Duckworth: Whatever we can do to support the space program, I am on board. I have one final question. If given an illegal or unconstitutional order by president trump or your superiors, would you oppose it?
▶ 2:39:17Mr. Isaacman: I do not think president trump would give an illegal order but I would follow the law.
▶ 2:39:22Sen. Duckworth: You would oppose it?
▶ 2:39:25Mr. Isaacman: I do not think president trump would give me an illegal order.
▶ 2:39:29Sen. Duckworth: You would oppose it?
▶ 2:39:32Mr. Isaacman: I will always follow the law.
▶ 2:39:35Sen. Duckworth: Is that a yes?
▶ 2:39:37Mr. Isaacman: Senator, I will always follow the law.
▶ 2:39:41Sen. Duckworth: I am out of time, Mr. chairman.
▶ 2:39:47Sen. Moreno: Thank you for taking the time in my office. We did not know each other before meeting with you. Your parents are beaming with pride. Which I love to see. With good reason. You are someone who has a great temperament, incredible intellect and I cannot think of someone more qualified to do your job. The only question I have for you, there is a scorch of robocalls that creates enormous amounts of scammers.
▶ 2:40:19Sen. Moreno: Seniors are losing their life savings. How would you use advanced technologies to put an end to this?
▶ 2:40:25Ms. Trusty: I really appreciate this question. I worry about the susceptibility of seniors to robocall scams. Leveraging artificial intelligence to get around call authentication measures. Generally the fcc could benefit from stronger penalties to go after illegal robo callers.
▶ 2:40:50Ms. Trusty: I think the fcc can continue working with international counterparts and states attorneys general's to go after these fraudsters. We need to discuss more proactive call blocking measures of the calls never reach end users. Artificial intelligence is the key.
▶ 2:41:09Sen. Moreno: Thank you. I cannot wait to have you in the agency. Mr. isaacman, I am sure with your deep intellect that you know the aircraft engine research laboratory in cleveland, ohio was created 17 years before nasa was created. There is a sign when you drive into the center that says for the benefit of all. What does that mean to you?
▶ 2:41:37Mr. Isaacman: I do believe nasa's mission is to undertake the near impossible, to solve the most demanding complex engineering challenges so commercial industry can follow and bring the rest of the world along the way.
▶ 2:41:51Sen. Moreno: That is something I am sure you have a deep passion to make sure we are always the leaders, is that correct?
▶ 2:41:59Mr. Isaacman: 100%, senator.
▶ 2:42:05Sen. Moreno: Can you give me a sense of the scale of difficulty it was for you as a kid, as a teenager, give me a scale of difficulty. The one example of a deep challenge you face that you thought maybe was impossible.
▶ 2:42:22Mr. Isaacman: There were a lot of ups and downs over the last 26 years. Some of the earliest challenges. As a company that went through the.com, the great recession, we had our fair share of obstacles. Some of the hardest were the days where we tried to grow through our own cash flows, which is a challenge.
▶ 2:42:47Mr. Isaacman: I was 16 years old to make sure I had to hid myself from meetings. Occasionally someone would show up at the house for the meeting and my father fortunately took that for me.
▶ 2:42:58Sen. Moreno: It is hard to meet underachievers. [laughter] congratulations. How would you use the skill set?
▶ 2:43:08Mr. Isaacman: Nasa is an extraordinary agency and they are the most accomplished space agency in the world. I want to do whatever I can and work alongside the best and brightest. I suspect there are some things I have learned from running two successful businesses over the last two decades and I can help bring to the agency.
▶ 2:43:30Mr. Isaacman: I would love to roll up my sleeves and figure out the challenges we have learned from a program management perspective so everything takes longer than it shouldn't cost more than it should. I would like to put in a mission first attitude at the agency. If we can get to the moon and the mars and all the other things, the inspiration and stem education will take care of itself.
▶ 2:43:55Mr. Isaacman: Culture of accountability to when we make mistakes we own them, fix them and get back to delivering on important objectives.
▶ 2:44:01Sen. Moreno: I have one last question. Ms. trusty, 100%, unequivocal support for you. I would like to see my democratic colleagues joined me and get as many votes for you as possible. Mr. isaacman. Who is the most important character in the movie armageddon?
▶ 2:44:25Mr. Isaacman: Clearly bruce willis for the important self-sacrifice for all of mankind.
▶ 2:44:31Sen. Moreno: Let the record show he did not say truman, which makes me wonder about his judgment.
▶ 2:44:40Chair Cruz: Thank you, senator mooreno. I thought you were going to reference the phrase "t' serve man," that ends with the episode, "it's a cookbook!" >>
▶ 2:45:08Sen. Markey: I alter the --other the e-rate program because I believe that and I believe now that it should not depend under zip code. Thanks to the e-rate thousands of schools have high-speed internet access, students can research and learn and grow with the tools they need to succeed in the 21st-century economy.
▶ 2:45:36Sen. Markey: Can you agree that the e-rate program has been a success?
▶ 2:45:41Ms. Trusty: I agree that it is an important part of making sure students are connected across the country.
▶ 2:45:48Sen. Markey: It has changed a lot since I created the program 30 years ago. Learning extends outside the school house including low income and rural students who lack internet access at home at a serious disadvantage. Do you agree that having access to high-speed broadband at home is important for students and educators in our modern educational environment?
▶ 2:46:10Ms. Trusty: Certainly, senator, having access to broadband at home and school is important.
▶ 2:46:17Sen. Markey: Do you agree that a predictable funding source for e-rate is critical for schools and libraries to stay connected?
▶ 2:46:28Ms. Trusty: The communications act requires a predictable funding source.
▶ 2:46:29Sen. Markey: Thank you. Let's turn to a different issue. Over the past months chairman carr has taken a series of steps to attack broadcasters over news content. He pressured cbs to release a transcript of an interview with vice president harris that supposedly contain evidence of deceptive editing. When the transcript cruelly refuted that allegation, chairman -- clearly refuted that allegation, chairman carr still open to public comments on it.
▶ 2:47:00Sen. Markey: He has taken similar steps against abc and nbc and an investigation into the underwriting practices of public broadcasters without citing any evidence of wrongdoing. Taken together, these actions indicate a chairman intent on weaponizing the fcc's legal authorities for ideological and partisan purposes. Ms.
▶ 2:47:18Sen. Markey: Trusty, I understand you cannot comment on open cases, so I will ask, do you agree that the fcc should not open or conduct investigations for political purposes?
▶ 2:47:31Ms. Trusty: Yes, senator, I agree with that.
▶ 2:47:35Sen. Markey: If asked to vote on an enforcement matter that violates the first amendment, will you vote against that matter?
▶ 2:47:40Ms. Trusty: Senator, I don't want to speak of it on something that hasn't happened yet --
▶ 2:47:46Sen. Markey: If it is a violation of the first amendment, will you vote against it?
▶ 2:47:49Ms. Trusty: I firmly believe in the first amendment and I won't do anything to violate it.
▶ 2:47:54Sen. Markey: I'm glad to hear that you will take that position , and I'm going to be closely monitoring the commission's work to ensure that it complies with the first amendment. Thank you. Mr. isaacman, you have deep personal and financial ties to elon musk. You have invested tens of millions of dollars in spacex. You have paid millions of dollars to spacex for two private spaceflights.
▶ 2:48:22Sen. Markey: Your payments company has an ongoing global strategic partnership worth millions each year. According to a recent "wall street journal" report, musk personally asked you to lead nasa. Given spacex's significant interest before nasa computer can understand why the public would be concerned about conflict of interest. Let's try to set a few things straight.
▶ 2:48:50Sen. Markey: I understand you met with elon musk at mar-a-lago in late 2024, is that correct?
▶ 2:48:54Mr. Isaacman: No, senator, I was in mar-a-lago to be interviewed by the president of the united states.
▶ 2:49:00Sen. Markey: So you did not meet with elon musk and mar-a-lago?
▶ 2:49:03Mr. Isaacman: I went to mar-a-lago to be interviewed by the president of the united states --
▶ 2:49:08Sen. Markey: I didn't ask you that. Did you meet with elon musk and mar-a-lago?
▶ 2:49:14Mr. Isaacman: I believe he was one of dozens of people around mar-a-lago at the time.
▶ 2:49:17Sen. Markey: Did you meet him?
▶ 2:49:18Mr. Isaacman: I would not say we had a meeting. We probably had a conversation in passing.
▶ 2:49:26Sen. Markey: President trump offered you the administrator job, is that correct?
▶ 2:49:31Mr. Isaacman: At the conclusion of the meeting he did.
▶ 2:49:33Sen. Markey: Was elon musk in the meeting went trump offered you the position of mar-a-lago?
▶ 2:49:39Mr. Isaacman: Sir, I was interviewed by the president of the united states.
▶ 2:49:43Sen. Markey: Was elon musk in the meeting?
▶ 2:49:44Mr. Isaacman: My meeting was with the president of the united states --
▶ 2:49:48Sen. Markey: So elon musk was not present?
▶ 2:49:52Mr. Isaacman: I was being interviewed by the president of the united.
▶ 2:49:55Sen. Markey: Was he in the meeting or not in the meeting?
▶ 2:50:00Mr. Isaacman: I'm trying to be as transparent as I can. I was interviewed by the president of united.
▶ 2:50:03Sen. Markey: It's not a difficult question. Was elon musk in the room?
▶ 2:50:07Mr. Isaacman: Senator, my meeting was with the president of the united states.
▶ 2:50:13Sen. Markey: I'm assuming that you don't want to answer the question directly because elon musk was in the room. That is the only conclusion and when listening to this could reach. Unless you wanted to dispel the notion.
▶ 2:50:29Mr. Isaacman: Again, I was being interviewed by the president of the united states. May I also say I have no --
▶ 2:50:36Sen. Markey: I appreciate that, I'm just trying to determine elon musk's role in this. Have you discussed your plans for nasa with elon musk?
▶ 2:50:49Mr. Isaacman: I have not.
▶ 2:50:49Sen. Markey: So those persons obviously raised serious questions. I want to turn to one with specific question. Monitoring sea level to polarize loss to wildfires, nasa satellites are the backbone of climate research used by scientists, policymakers, and the public across the globe. Nasa's earth-observing system archives terabytes of data each day.
▶ 2:51:16Sen. Markey: This data underpins climate actions at every level of the government and it drives global research collaborations and informs lifesaving disasters. It is a public good. Yet the trump administration is seeking to undermine that. A recent investigation found that large swaths of climate data sets, visualizations once publicly accessible have been altered or taken down.
▶ 2:51:44Sen. Markey: This unprecedented rollback of public information compromise s scientific transparency at a time of accelerating climate threats and extreme weather events. If confirmed, will you commit to fully restoring and maintaining access to data as well as resisting any political pressure to sideline climate research I nasa?
▶ 2:52:03Mr. Isaacman: Senator, I can tell you I'm passionate about the earth sciences division inside of nasa, especially with respect to anything that has impact on human life and the financial repercussions for remediating things such as wildfires, landslides, flooding . Earth sciences plays a big role --
▶ 2:52:23Sen. Markey: Will you make a commitment to restore all of that information and make it available to the public?
▶ 2:52:32Mr. Isaacman: Senator, I'm not been made aware of any information that is not been provided. I'm just not familiar with any of these, senator.
▶ 2:52:41Sen. Markey: I'm very disappointed. All of this information is vital to getting information to nasa scientists and citizens.
▶ 2:52:50Chair Cruz: Thank you, senator markey.
▶ 2:52:52Sen. Markey: I prescient your indulgence, Mr. chairman.
▶ 2:52:56Chair Cruz: Mr. isaacman, in response to senator duckworth you said several times he will follow the law. I appreciate that commitment. I want to go back and revisit the exchange you had with senator kim. Under your leadership america will beat china back to the moon. That is important. But the law is clear beyond simple going to the moon.
▶ 2:53:26Chair Cruz: Going to the moon will be a steppingstone for further explosion to mars. The ultimate objective is mars, but going to the moon is critical. The law specifies explicitly the administrators shall, and when legislation uses the word "shall," it denotes a mandatory obligation -- the administrator shall establish a program to develop sustained human present in sisler on the moon. -- lunar space and on the moon.
▶ 2:53:59Chair Cruz: With respect to senator kim, you were reluctant to commit to a human presence on the moon. Could you clarify your view on that to this committee?
▶ 2:54:06Mr. Isaacman: Well, senator, as a space enthusiast, I would like nothing more as I've said before to see a number of lunar outposts and mars outposts and for us to progress further out into the solar system. If we are in a budgetary environment we can maintain an ongoing presence on the lunar surface, I am more than supportive of it.
▶ 2:54:29Mr. Isaacman: I think it is imperative that we have to get back to the moon first as quickly as we possibly can, figure out the scientific, economic, national security value of being there, which I'm very hopeful we are going to find in order to support the ongoing presence on the lunar surface, sir.
▶ 2:54:43Chair Cruz: The statute is written commit gives the choice of either the surface of the moon or cislunar orbit. What is your view on the gateway project?
▶ 2:54:55Mr. Isaacman: That is an area that if I'm confirmed I would love to roll up my sleeves and get further understanding what is working right and what are the opportunities the gateway presents to us and where are some of the challenges. I think the gateway is a component of many programs that are over budget and behind schedule, sir.
▶ 2:55:12Chair Cruz: So you're describing gateway is over budget and behind schedule. There was a long history in a nasa of the administrations coming in and canceling programs and causing massive delays. Barack obama did that with constellation, and nasa struggled for years as a consequence. As administrator, are you going to cancel the gateway program?
▶ 2:55:38Mr. Isaacman: Senator, I have no intention as of now to say that I would cancel any program. If I'm confirmed I need to get in the job and understand where things are at. I want to assure you and this committee that I want to see america win and succeed and lead in space whether that be the moon, mars, low-earth orbit, and beyond.
▶ 2:56:04Mr. Isaacman: I do not want to see us come in second base and I do not want to see the right-hand side of the poster you put up.
▶ 2:56:10Chair Cruz: I will ask you again because you said you would follow the law, are you committed to assisting human presence in cislunar on the moon, and that his federal statute?
▶ 2:56:20Mr. Isaacman: If that is the law, I'm committed to it.
▶ 2:56:22Chair Cruz: Ok. Let's talk leo. International space station is managed out of johnson space center in houston, texas for texas f nasa is planning to replace the iss in replace the iss I by 20 and replace it partially by nasa and partly by outside customers for . Unfortunately nasa and commercial replacement are behind schedule.
▶ 2:56:50Chair Cruz: Do you agree that we cannot have a gap period between the iss and its successor when there would be zero human U.S. presence in low-earth orbit?
▶ 2:57:02Mr. Isaacman: I do agree, senator, we cannot cede low-earth orbit to the chinese.
▶ 2:57:07Chair Cruz: I would know in the first trump administration there were those pushing to deorbit the international space station prematurely. Given that we have invested $100 billion in the station, I think I would be profoundly foolish to give up on that investment as long as it is safe to continue using it.
▶ 2:57:27Chair Cruz: After the administration floated this idea multiple times, the united states senate passed legislation that I authored, 100-0 come every republican and every senator came through committing that we would maintain the international space station at least until 2030 as long as it is safe and scientifically feasible.
▶ 2:57:47Chair Cruz: What you commit to follow the law and not -- will you commit to follow the law and not deorbit this playstation before 2030--the space station before 2030?
▶ 2:57:58Mr. Isaacman: I will commit and I will commit that we use every bit of time we have to crack the code on the space economy and give initial leo destinations a fighting chance when they inevitably take over, sir.
▶ 2:58:09Chair Cruz: Ms. trusty, it's been two years since the fcc lost a general auction authority and three years since the last meaningful auction of spectrum. The spectrum pipeline act, which I introduced with leader thune and senator blackburn last year, would restore the fcc's auction authority and establish a clear headlight of mid band spectrum for commercial use. Ms. trusty, should congress restore the fcc's general auction authority with a clear pipeline of mid band spectrum?
▶ 2:58:41Ms. Trusty: Yes, senator, and to the extent it accommodates our economic and a national security interests, I believe it can.
▶ 2:58:49Chair Cruz: So what would be the benefits of restoring the auction authority with a clear pipeline of mid band spectrum?
▶ 2:58:57Ms. Trusty: Thank you, senator. I think it would be tremendous economic benefits, job creation, workforce productivity, expansion of broadband services across the country. I think it is foundational to our leadership internationally on global technologies.
▶ 2:59:11Chair Cruz: As you know, the department of defense has been highly resistant to giving up any spectrum. And for a long time they have given a per 80 -- a parade of horribles as to what would occur if any specter moved to the commercial sector. I find that parade of horribles highly incredible. And the result of bureaucratic intransigence.
▶ 2:59:41Chair Cruz: It is an intransigence that began when general milley was the chairman of the joint chiefs and dod chose a strategy of absolutely resisting and refusing to work on freeing up spectrum. I recently had a classified briefing, of which you are aware, where I asked two questions to the senior leadership at dod and senior leadership of the intelligence committee.
▶ 3:00:11Chair Cruz: The first question I asked was over 50 countries across the planet have moved substantial portions of the spectrum in question to the commercial sector and they are being used presently for commercial purposes. Is it dod's position that our navy does not operate in the pacific, that we can only defend topeka, kansas, and the rest of the world, our military is unable to defend the united states?
▶ 3:00:39Chair Cruz: You have unique expertise having worked both on the commerce committee and the senate armed services committee. In your opinion, are we able to defend ourselves across the globe even in areas where other countries have moved significant portions of spectrum to be available for the commercial sector?
▶ 3:00:57Ms. Trusty: Senator, I create this question. I am not privy to all of dod's spectrum assets I spectrum assets and give abilities, but I do think there is an opportunity to move forward on spectrum policy that protects our national security and advances our economic interests. I think what that really requires is, like you said, having classified briefings or briefings in public where multiple stakeholder perspectives are represented to challenge positions on various matters.
▶ 3:01:27Ms. Trusty: I think it promotes transparency and it ensures there's more cohesion on specter matters going forward.
▶ 3:01:33Chair Cruz: The second question I asked dod that they had totally insufficient answer to was what would be the national security consequences, and I would add the economic security consequences, if america loses the race for 6g and the global telecom architecture is built by huawei and controlled by the chinese communists in every active duty servicemen and women who has their own cell phone is communicating over chinese telecom infrastructure?
▶ 3:02:03Chair Cruz: In your judgment, but would be the economic interest and the national security interest if that occurred, we lose the race to 6g. I hope--
▶ 3:02:13Ms. Trusty: I hope we could all agree that it would be devastating to our security interest if we were reliant on chinese technologies.
▶ 3:02:22Chair Cruz: Senator cantwell.
▶ 3:02:24Sen. Cantwell: Thank you --
▶ 3:02:27Chair Cruz: I did filibuster a little bit.
▶ 3:02:29Sen. Cantwell: Thank you, thank you. I wanted to go back to the virtual multichannel video programming distribution issue at the fcc. I want to understand whether you think the fcc should re-examine and negotiate with online platforms that carriage of local news content.
▶ 3:02:50Sen. Cantwell: I'm concerned that these large platforms, because of the way things have evolved with affiliates leaving the broadcasters to themselves, and yet they could have some ability -- right now I believe local broadcasting is holding us together in a lot of ways. It is a trusted source of content that people believe in. They believe their local news organization.
▶ 3:03:19Sen. Cantwell: That model probably wouldn't exist if the community didn't believe in the product. We don't want to lose that. But as the digital age continues to evolve and these products and services continue to evolve, like youtube now being a dominant content distributor, then the ability to negotiate directly with them is a big revenue opportunity. How do you look at that issue?
▶ 3:03:49Sen. Cantwell: Do you think this should be looked at by the fcc and help level the playing field for local journalists?
▶ 3:03:57Ms. Trusty: Senator, I do. To your point about localism, I think it is extremely important. Broadcasters provide vital information about cultural events and informational programming and disasters.
▶ 3:04:13Ms. Trusty: It is incumbent upon the fcc to work with congress to ensure we have a modern regulatory framework that reflects the realities of today's media market place, that enables broadcasters to better compete against technology companies for viewers, for ad revenues, for programming, all think that they can generate resources by to reinvest into their newsgathering operations and increase the availability of local news.
▶ 3:04:36Sen. Cantwell: Ok. What do you think the best way for that I think they opened that case many years ago and then haven't reopened it. Technically I'm not sure about that. You probably know the answer. It is probably in quasi-land where you could usually reopen it.
▶ 3:04:56Ms. Trusty: I think it is still open before the commission. I'm happy to take a look at it if confirmed. It's been undermined for the last couple fcc nominations humans --on your mind for the last couple fcc nominations hearings.
▶ 3:05:11Sen. Cantwell: But you think it should be relooked at?
▶ 3:05:15Ms. Trusty: I'm certainly happy to take a look at it.
▶ 3:05:19Sen. Cantwell: I can't even -- ok, I'm sure you believe in the first amendment, I'm sure you believe in it not weaponizing -- making sure we have a free press. Back to this broadband issue, as we continue to allocate resources and look to the fcc.
▶ 3:05:42Sen. Cantwell: What do you think the best thing the fcc could do now to put more clarity behind the shortfall in broadband inequities?
▶ 3:05:54Ms. Trusty: I think when we talk about broadband inequities, I think about affordability and adoption. With respect to affordability, we can promote more competition, in basement technologies. When you have more choice in the market place, -- embrace more technologies. When you have more choice in the marketplace, that reduces cost and the service. We can remove regulatory barriers that might impede or raise the cost of deployment.
▶ 3:06:23Ms. Trusty: If those regulatory barriers are out of the way, that can reduce costs for consumers. We have the lifeline program as well so as the committee are looking at reforms, there is an opportunity to make adjustments to better target services for communities in need. I would also speak to digital literacy programs. I know that the private industry and public interest groups have programs of that's sorta help people understand how to maximize the benefit of this technology in their lives.
▶ 3:06:52Sen. Cantwell: What about the mapping? We might even share with you that microsoft data that they came up with which can tell you by household who doesn't have broadband.
▶ 3:07:02Ms. Trusty: Absolutely. Maps are foundational to closing the digital divide. We have the broadband act. There is room for improvement. If confirmed, I welcome the opportunity to work with private sector stakeholders like your own constituents to better improve the maps.
▶ 3:07:17Sen. Cantwell: I think I could help us elevate the conversation into what are the choices that we have if we understood that people have $40,000 of income, they probably aren't buying broadband, which means their kids from a school perspective and other things might not be getting access we want. And obviously the impact it has on community.
▶ 3:07:39Sen. Cantwell: And then back to the spectrum, I listen to what you said earlier even though I've been running in and out for various votes come that you believe the dod side of this equation needs to be thought through, that your experience here and your experience there gave you two different viewpoints on this. How do you think the fcc could best help in resolving this issue? How do we -- let me say differently.
▶ 3:08:09Sen. Cantwell: 10 or 15 years ago we probably would have said the fcc is the undisputed scientific leader -- you would go to your scientist and he would say this is what they say about interference. But now the world has changed. We have so much more on the technology front. And now we have agencies disputing each other. Dod and faa, various things.
▶ 3:08:36Sen. Cantwell: How do you think you can reassert the fcc's scientific leadership on this issue when so much of the conversation ends up having downstairs -- having downstairs in a secure briefing room?
▶ 3:08:49Ms. Trusty: I appreciate this question and I think this is the heart of the issue, that engineers don't agree on interference metrics among other things. This is where I think the fcc, ntia, mou, memorandum of understanding, could come into play --
▶ 3:09:02Sen. Cantwell: The one they tested? --just did? Or maybe a new one?
▶ 3:09:10Ms. Trusty: Maybe a new one that reflects some of these other considerations. Maybe we need to hire more engineers and technical people to address this issue who have experience in both camps as well. There is evidence I some ideas to address this.
▶ 3:09:25Sen. Cantwell: What about the secure nature -- and producer, Mr. isaacman -- interesting you are here together, it has made it harder for all of us because there is ample questions to ask both of you. But you are in intersection of a very important -- what is not just a communications system, but what is a vulnerability for national security if we don't get it right. I think Mr.
▶ 3:09:44Sen. Cantwell: Isaacman can tell you how broad he think this is going to go in the future, the constellation not just of the leos, but how much more of this communication is going to happen through the satellite system and why we have to have this layer of security.
▶ 3:10:01Sen. Cantwell: Do you have ideas that you think the fcc could do in listening more to the framework by which the private sector and agencies could have more conversations about what the future looks like and thereby finding more common ground?
▶ 3:10:21Ms. Trusty: I think this goes back to a conversation we had earlier about folks having clearances because much of the information is classified or in a special access program and it is very sensitive. You know that some people in the industry do have clearances, but to the extent we can bring those folks into the same room with federal agencies to have these robust conversations about what the needs and interests are and what the objectives are to try to find common ground, I think that is the most important thing here.
▶ 3:10:48Sen. Cantwell: I didn't mean to engage on this, but Mr. isaacman , do you understand my point, there is so much to still happen here? How do we get the dialogue towards the advancements that could happen when everybody needs a national security clearance command yet at the same time get people and understanding of where we could come together? Ms.
▶ 3:11:09Sen. Cantwell: Trusty, you do support the effort -- the ntia's report that dod and nt I-8 should look at --n tia should look at dynamic spectrum sharing?
▶ 3:11:22Ms. Trusty: Yes, we should be investing in dynamic spectrum sharing technologies.
▶ 3:11:26Sen. Cantwell: Ok. Esther isaacman esther isaa-- Mr. isaacman, any thoughts here?
▶ 3:11:32Mr. Isaacman: Senator, I would not want to encroach on my nominee's clear command over the spectrum here. At least through the lens of nasa, I'm excited about what commercial industry is working on in terms of next-generation technology. We tested out spending an awful lot of data securely over a laser link beam of light. That is a great way at least from nasa's perspective to not added to the demand problem with respect to the spectrum.
▶ 3:11:58Sen. Cantwell: I do think this will be one of the big challenges we face, how do we think ahead, how do we get this conversation with the private sector who is doing a lot of the thinking, but also get the dod part of it and then get the dynamic spectrum part of it done quickly. Ok, thank you both very much. Mr. isaacman and Ms. trusty, I'm going to ask you a final question required of all nominees.
▶ 3:12:25Sen. Cantwell: If confirmed, do you pledge to work collaboratively with the committee to provide thorough and timely responses to the committee's request and appear before the committee when requested?
▶ 3:12:34Ms. Trusty: Yes, senator.
▶ 3:12:37Mr. Isaacman: I do, senator.
▶ 3:12:40Sen. Cantwell: I have letters of support from various organizations for Mr. isaacman and Ms. trusty's nomination that I would ask for unanimous consent to be entered into the record. Senators will have until the close of business friday, april 11, two summit questions for the record. These nominees will have until the close of business tuesday, april 15, to respond to the questions. I think senator cruz for allowing me to come back and ask the questions f. That concludes our hearing today. The committee stands adjourned.
▶ 3:13:09Sen. Cantwell: [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap.org]