▶ 0:20:24Chair Cruz: The senate committee will come to order. We are considering the nominations of matthew anderson to serve as deputy administrator of the national aeronautics and space administration. And arvind raman as undersecretary for standards and technology. The 21st century will belong to the nation that can innovate the fastest.
▶ 0:20:51Chair Cruz: Nasa and nis are integral to that effort. Let's start with nasa. Long been at the forefront of human exploration and scientific discovery. In 1969, that meant being the first nation to put a man on the moon. Today it means returning there and staying there. Mr. anderson is well-equipped to execute the mission.
▶ 0:21:21Chair Cruz: During his 24 years of service in the U.S. air force, Mr. anderson logged nearly 5000 flight hours. He committed the department of war's only airlift nuclear squadron and led no failed missions transporting nuclear weapons around the world. Since retiring from the air force and 2021, Mr. anderson has served as vice president at khaki international, overseeing the company's space for spin air force portfolio.
▶ 0:21:52Chair Cruz: Mr. anderson joins nasa at a crucial moment. Artemis ii is set to launch the spring. It will bring astronauts closer to the moon than at any point in the last 50 years. Our nominee will work with administrator isaacson to ensure a safe and successful launch for artemis ii. His work will not end there. Congress has provided a clear vision and significant funding for nasa.
▶ 0:22:20Chair Cruz: The working families tax cut act committed nearly $10 billion to specific components of the program, giving us of the resources it needs to lead in low-earth orbit and explore deep space. The nasa authorization act which we passed out of the committee yesterday unanimously outlines a strategic directive for the agency. I am confident should it become law, Mr. anderson will implement the law faithfully.
▶ 0:22:50Chair Cruz: Let's now turn to arvind raman, nominee for director of nist. It establishes voluntary measurement standards to advance american innovation. He knows the standards are valuable because they give industry a trusted common framework for measurements and interoperability. Under the biden administration however nist was diverted from its science-based mission.
▶ 0:23:19Chair Cruz: Instead, it put out the ai risk management framework which focused on left-wing social engineering and speech codes and censorship, undermining the institute's reputation for impartiality. I was encouraged by president trump's decision to replace the ai censorship regime with the new ai action plan. My sincere hope is that Mr.
▶ 0:23:45Chair Cruz: Raman will execute president trump's plan and return nist to its intended, nonregulatory function. A uc berkeley educated engineer, Mr. raman serves as a john edwards and dean of purdue university's college of engineering, one of the largest in the nation.
▶ 0:24:08Chair Cruz: He helped turn purdue engineering into a private investment magnet bringing in billions of new r&d funding -- facility investments. At nist, he can apply these skills to advance industry by supporting the measurement standards, research and technology that underpins it. I look forward to hearing from both of today's nominees and learning how they will advance american interests in outer space and at home. I now turn to ranking member cantwell for opening remarks.
▶ 0:24:39Sen. Cantwell: Thank you, Mr. chairman, and they could to both of our nominees for the willingness to serve. Dr. raman, I think sometimes our colleagues don't fully understand how voluntary standards usually are set by nist is the essence of bringing people together to move forward faster based on the standards.
▶ 0:25:07Sen. Cantwell: I look forward to hearing how you think the research and standards at nist help fuel the innovation that supports manufacturing, sets the gold standard for frameworks, best practices and ensures the united states continues to lead in science and technology.
▶ 0:25:24Sen. Cantwell: Nist has a critical role setting standards across technologies that will define competitiveness for the next generation, biotechnology, quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and getting the standards right is about ensuring american industry has clarity and confidence in clarity and confidence and we play that role to continue to dominate on standard-setting around the globe.
▶ 0:25:51Sen. Cantwell: That is why senator young and I introduced the bipartisan future of ai innovation act to authorize nist's ai standards innovation and conduct rigorous testing to ensure the united states leads ai for generations to come. Federal ai policy must make sure it meets the higher standards of trust, reliability and consumer safety. I introduced the national quantum reauthorization to keep U.S.
▶ 0:26:20Sen. Cantwell: Competitive in helping develop a workforce. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on that. Nist is at the intersection of all those priorities. Nist administers the bipartisan chips in science investment to promote enduring global leadership in semiconductors.
▶ 0:26:38Sen. Cantwell: This includes $1.1 billion for r&d to help restore semiconductor manufacturing, train the workforce, -- and other critical technologies. The department of commerce undersecretary lutnick -- under secretary lutnick has created new this uncertainty at nist.
▶ 0:27:11Sen. Cantwell: The secretary abruptly canceled $7.4 billion in r&d investment under questionable circumstances. Natcast was running the semiconductor technology center to better integrate r&d and workforce across the ecosystem.
▶ 0:27:33Sen. Cantwell: As of september of 2025, n atcast has recruited 200 members . In the wake of sec. Lutnick's abrupt decision, nist has provided few details on how to -- the director will need to change this lack of transparency immediately.
▶ 0:28:01Sen. Cantwell: I'm particularly concerned about the manufacturing extension partnership program beginning in april. Nist has been withholding funds for the center across the united states. This program has wide bipartisan support as a national network of go to experts that helps small and medium manufacturers enhance productivity. I will ask about that.
▶ 0:28:29Sen. Cantwell: In december of 2025, I lead a letter with 28 of my colleagues requesting a straightforward answer on nist's failures to use these funds. Nist has a broad science ecosystem with a long drawn strength from researchers and scientists. This is important.
▶ 0:28:52Sen. Cantwell: There are reports that nist his rivers think that long standard and I would like to hear on how you intend to approach the participation of scientists at this agency. Turning to you, -- turning to our nasa nominee, thank you for your willingness to serve.
▶ 0:29:15Sen. Cantwell: Nasa's innovation and multiple sectors of input to our economy are critically important, but especially important for aerospace materials manufacturing and safety. Last year's multiple nasa whistleblower disclosed evidence to my office that show the damage is being done by the omb director pushing nasa to implement dangerous cuts called for in the president's 2026 budget.
▶ 0:29:46Sen. Cantwell: I was doing so in disregard of the law and I believe risked serious mission challenges for nasa on safety and workforce. In january, congress rejected these draconian cuts on a bipartisan basis, passing a spending bill that stabilized nasa's funding for the year and the commerce committee passed out bipartisan nasa reauthorization act for fiscal year 2027. A 2.5% increase over the previous year.
▶ 0:30:17Sen. Cantwell: The 2025 aerospace safety panel reported that the damage caused by omb could implement a wave of nasa workforce reductions and loss of expertise, particularly in safety of major programs such as the artemis program. I will want to ask about that. It is simply unacceptable to compromise safety issues.
▶ 0:30:45Sen. Cantwell: Will you stand up for nasa's workforce to be an advocate for nasa and fully develop and implement the laws as congress directed? Nasa and nist are vital and the trumpet administration has been undermined that science research. Last year over 10,000 stem phd's were lost from the federal workforce. This is incredibly important for us to keep our competitiveness around the globe. . I look forward to hearing from our nominees.
▶ 0:31:14Chair Cruz: Thank you. I will turn to senator sheehy to introduce Mr. anderson.
▶ 0:31:22Sen. Sheehy: Thank you, chair cruz. A deep commitment to service and the future of american leadership in space. Matt and his pen spent two decades serving in uniform as an air force colonel after 24 years of distinguished service. He logged nearly 5000 hours flying five different aircraft, including within 650 hours in combat. He not only has technical expertise with dedication to the mission and country.
▶ 0:31:54Sen. Sheehy: About his career he let american airmen in the most demanding and consequent submissions are military undertakes. He committed are only airlift squadron responsible for safely trance winning america's nuclear weapons and materials around the world. A responsible date that requires absolute precision, trust and leadership. Just like we will need at nasa. He served at the highest levels of joint military leadership working under multiple four-star generals and admirals across the army, navy and air force.
▶ 0:32:22Sen. Sheehy: Matt helped to translate strategic direction through operational execution, getting first-hand insight on how national priorities set by congress are carried out by the men and women who serve our country. Matt's career has placed him at the intersection of space operations, national security and aerospace innovation. He concluded his service as the U.S. transportation command senior liaison to norad, U.S. and command and U.S.
▶ 0:32:45Sen. Sheehy: Space command, coordinating across complex command structures, experience that is directly relevant to the strategic role of space in our national interest. Since retiring, he has continued to serve the nation in the space sector, working as a vice president at csci.
▶ 0:33:13Sen. Sheehy: Through these roles he has worked across civil, commercial and national security space communities, building partnerships necessary to ensure american leadership in space exploration and innovation. His story is when a family and service beyond the uniform. His wife serves children with special needs as a speech language pathologist at a public television school. His daughter will become a third-generation air force officer commissioned this may after graduating from notre dame and heading to pilot training.
▶ 0:33:41Sen. Sheehy: His other daughter is a student athlete at the university of chicago. His parents, an air force chaplain and educator, helped instill the values of service and leadership that guide his career. Matt anderson understands america's leadership depends on start partnerships with the government, industry and the scientific community and the ability to translate bold vision into operational reality.
▶ 0:34:04Sen. Sheehy: I'm to have known that for nearly a decade and I know he will be a strong and trusted deputy for jared isaacman as we usher in a new golden age of american space dominance. I am proud to introduce matt today and I look forward to your testimony.
▶ 0:34:16Chair Cruz: I will now turn to senator young to introduced Dr. raman.
▶ 0:34:23Sen. Young: I have the distinct pleasure of introducing my friend, Dr. arvind raman. He has been nominated to serve as under secretary of commerce for standards and technology. The nomination is timely. Hundreds of delegates are converging in beijing to plan the future of china's global ambitions.
▶ 0:34:47Sen. Young: The national people's congress and the chinese people's political consultative congress will convene in coming days and approve a blueprint for the next five years of economic strategy. Rest assured this will rely heavily on technological advancement and beating the united states. When it comes to the development of ai, quantum computing, biotechnology and semiconductor production, china is nearing purity with the united states -- parity.
▶ 0:35:17Sen. Young: The ccp will spend trillions to overtake us in these technologies. In the middle of this global power competition the role of the national institute of standards and technology has never been more important. Its mission of establishing standards and testing protocols and guidelines is critical as our innovators pioneer and companies commercialize new technologies.
▶ 0:35:41Sen. Young: In the middle of a technology race with a determined global flow, now us -- foe, now is the worst nist time for to lose its way. Dr. raman's career is long, distinguished and decorated. The list of grants and recognitions he has accumulated his h is too extensive to share here. He joined purdue university as an assistant professor after a rigorous education.
▶ 0:36:14Sen. Young: Since april of 2023 he has served as the john edwardson dean of the college of engineering. He oversees a $280 million annual budget, nearly 500 faculty and 500 staff, nearly 14,000 undergraduate students and 6000 graduate students. He has led pretty engineering to be one of the most successful and desirable engineering colleges in the nation.
▶ 0:36:44Sen. Young: At west lafayette, he broke new ground in nanotechnology, biomechanics and manufacturing. His work in atomic force microscopy is particularly significant, opening new possibilities for how doctors study the physical property of diseases such as cancer. He set an ambitious agenda as dean of one of the most prestigious engineering schools focusing on ai and its potential to better societies.
▶ 0:37:12Sen. Young: In his most recent assignment he stressed the connection between mechanical engineering and national peace and prosperity. He has an eye for talent, the readiness to embrace challenges in the understanding of the important role technology plays in sustaining democracies. Like president trump, I'm confident Dr.
▶ 0:37:36Sen. Young: Raman will make the necessary reforms to lead nist in the future. I would say his story is america's story. Arriving in indiana from india with nothing other than $600 and a suitcase. Through hard work and education he has risen to the top of his field and to this nomination.
▶ 0:38:01Sen. Young: If confirmed, his leadership will scare american leadership on the technologies that will literally define the 21st century and will help ensure america's values and not those of our adversaries define them. I trust my colleagues will be impressed with his testimony. I know he wishes to answer all of your questions thoroughly. I have great confidence he will serve with distinction in this role. Mr. chairman.
▶ 0:38:32Sen. Young: >> I recognized Mr. anderson for his opening remarks.
▶ 0:38:35Mr. Anderson: Distinguished members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to appear today as president trump's nominee to serve as the deputy administrator of the national aeronautics and space administration. Senator sheehy, thank you. My family and I are humbled by such a kind introduction by a patriot, navy seal and senator such as yourself. I appreciate you doing that this morning.
▶ 0:39:05Mr. Anderson: I want to thank my family sitting behind me. My wife christine and our daughters caitlin and lauren. We have shared every move, every deployment and every difficult decision. They have always been the true force multiplier for my career and I would not be here today without their strength and sacrifice. I would like to thank the family and friends who are supporting me today.
▶ 0:39:31Mr. Anderson: Finally, I would like to think of 45 aerospace companies and nonprofits who sent letters of support to this committee advocating for me and this nomination. I do recognize I'm a newcomer so I thought I would share a bit of my story along with my understanding of the challenges and opportunities ahead. I grew up moving around the world as the sun of an air force chaplain and schoolteacher. I spent my middle school years in the philippines, graduated from high school in new jersey. And now I'm proud to call colorado springs our home.
▶ 0:40:03Mr. Anderson: Following high school I played four years of division I soccer and majored in biology at the air force academy. I then served more than 24 years in the united states air force as a pilot and commander, logging nearly 5000 flight hours in five different aircraft, including 650 in combat.
▶ 0:40:22Mr. Anderson: My passion for aeronautics and science converged when I had the privilege of piloting multiple missions to antarctica, landing a c-17 on a nice runway, delivering scientists and critical equipment to the national science foundation. I also have commanded america's only nuclear airlift squadron, the fourth airlift squadron, where I led airman and personally flew america's nuclear weapons around the world.
▶ 0:40:50Mr. Anderson: Since retiring as a colonel nearly five years ago I've had the honor of working as a vice president at a publicly traded national security company named caci international. I would like to thank the ceo and chief of staff for their mentorship and being here today. One month before president trump signed united states space force into law, I helped create and grow the space force association.
▶ 0:41:18Mr. Anderson: I have served as the chief operating officer and currently still serve as the chief growth officer to support our nation's guardians and national space community. I would like to thank bill wolf and damon feldman for their continued mentorship. That brings me to leadership. If we have learned anything from administrator isaac min's first two months, it is that both leadership matters.
▶ 0:41:45Mr. Anderson: I have been fortunate to lead large organizations and I have proudly certified but also had to decertify air force pilots who did not meet the high standards the nation demands. I have commissioned hundreds of air force academy cadets as officers but also had to remove cadets from the academy who did not meet the required high standards.
▶ 0:42:10Mr. Anderson: If confirmed, I will reinforce the culture of safety, accountability and transparency that administrator isaacman outlined to nasa and the american public. President trump has given nasa clear direction for the national space policy. That policy sets a bold but achievable course, return american astronauts to the lunar surface by the end of 2028.
▶ 0:42:37Mr. Anderson: Establish a lasting presence on the moon, prepare for human missions to mars, and accelerate the growth of a vibrant commercial economy in orbit. At its core the vision is to expand america's presence beyond earth and ensure we maintain our position of leadership in that domain. Administrator isaacman has demonstrated nasa's commitment to executing on the president's mission. Make no mistake.
▶ 0:43:05Mr. Anderson: We are on a shot clock and the stakes are high. Stakes that directly affect the balance of power here on earth. If confirmed, I will 100% support the administrator in executing the president space policy. I will roll up my sleeves and serve the talented workforce at nasa, be a great teammate with congress, and beat china to the moon.
▶ 0:43:31Mr. Anderson: Together we have the opportunity to usher in a golden age of science and discovery, when that strengthens in our nation, expands knowledge and inspires the next generation. I look forward to your questions. >> Mr. raman for his opening remarks.
▶ 0:43:52Dr. Raman: Tech support. Chairman cruz, ranking member cantwell and distinguished members of the senate committee, I would like to thank president trump for this nomination and secretary lutnick for his confidence in me and all of you for considering this nomination. Is a tremendous honor to appear before you today. I would like to thank my family. My wife and son.
▶ 0:44:24Dr. Raman: My wife laura is right here and close friends of ours. I have been at purdue university as a faculty member for 26 years teaching engineering and doing research on nanoscale science, technology and dynamic systems. I service the john edwardson dean at pretty university, the cradle of astronauts. We now offer and confer more engineering degrees than any of the country.
▶ 0:44:56Dr. Raman: We have kept tuition frozen for 14 years and counting. We are ranked in the top five nationally among engineering programs. Constantly innovating to maximize affordability, scale and excellence. I first came to the united states, as senator young pointed out, 35 years ago from india to study engineering at purdue university. I only had a few dollars in my pocket at the time. My first paycheck as a research assistant was not going to happen until a while later.
▶ 0:45:28Dr. Raman: I survived thanks to a loan the university gave to students like me who did not have any credit history and thanks to the goodwill store. Today I'm the dean of engineering at that great institution. After I completed my phd in joint purdue university 26 years ago as a faculty member, I started doing research in nanotechnology and had a chance in my career to spend a month at nist doing some difficult experiments in the laboratory.
▶ 0:45:59Dr. Raman: The start of many fruitful collaborations with nist. Thanks to president trump sec. Lutnick I'm being considered for directorship of nist. Where else are such stories even possible then and this, the greatest nation on earth? And even as our great nation celebrates its 250th birthday, it's a happy coincidence that nist will be celebrating its 125th.
▶ 0:46:31Dr. Raman: For half of the republic's existence nist has been foundational to advancing american industrial competitiveness. From its nobel laureates at the frontiers of quantum science, to his leadership in ai, two its atomic clocks that maintain official U.S.
▶ 0:46:49Dr. Raman: Time and underpin the financial markets, to its supportive manufacturing and cyber security standards that really help protect american industry and critical infrastructure, to its standard reference materials that ensure every american can trust their medical diagnostic results and help american industry lead at the frontiers of medicine. Nist's role has been transformative over the years.
▶ 0:47:18Dr. Raman: I look forward to working with all of you to help write the next chapter for nist. That of maximum american innovation. Enabled by great technology innovation in partnership with industries and entrepreneurs and stakeholders in championing standards globally so american technology can scale and reach wider markets and help american industry adopt these advanced technologies so innovation begets innovation in a virtuous
▶ 0:47:50Dr. Raman: Cycle for economic growth. If confirmed, I'm excited to help nist deliver on the president's ai action plan by maximizing innovation in the entire ai tech stack, including chips, biotechnology, quantum industrial base, advanced manufacturing.
▶ 0:48:12Dr. Raman: If confirmed, I look forward to working with all of you and congress to ensure nist continues to effectively deliver on its foundational mission and enable an era of maximum american innovation. Thank you so much. >> I recognize the ranking member for her questions.
▶ 0:48:30Sen. Cantwell: I will start on the nasa side. Mr. anderson, there is a major race going on for the united states to continue to compete in next-generation aerospace technology.
▶ 0:48:46Sen. Cantwell: Part of nasa's leadership is in the high rate composite aircraft manufacturing project that develops composites to make sure we have lighter, more fuel-efficient airplanes, insuring next generation competitiveness. This is something my colleagues and I have worked on. It's an ambitious goal but it is something nasa and space depend on. We have to become more fuel-efficient all the time.
▶ 0:49:15Sen. Cantwell: Will you support this program at nasa? And support competitive technologies like advanced aerospace materials manufacturing tech hub?
▶ 0:49:28Mr. Anderson: Yes, senator.
▶ 0:49:28Sen. Cantwell: I appreciate administrator isaacman's support for competition for lunar landers. We support this competition and award process to whichever providers win the competition?
▶ 0:49:47Mr. Anderson: Yes, senator.
▶ 0:49:48Sen. Cantwell: Once we returned to the moon, and I'm assuming you agree with the legislation which is passed out here yesterday that we have to go faster, how can this committee help achieve those 2028 landings?
▶ 0:50:03Mr. Anderson: I think you alluded to what I was exactly going to say. We are looking at a perfect alignment between the administration, this committee demonstrated from what happened yesterday by a unanimous consent, bipartisan consent for nasa that we have a challenger, arrival in china that requires cooperation between all government parts and it supports the president's national space policy.
▶ 0:50:32Mr. Anderson: I look forward to joining the admin is greater in helping pursue those goals.
▶ 0:50:36Sen. Cantwell: Dr. raman, I said about nist an accelerant. Is not correct?
▶ 0:50:47Dr. Raman: Yes.
▶ 0:50:49Sen. Cantwell: I think sometimes we get into disputes because some of things we are setting regulations. In reality, the most important aspect of nist is the standard that allows whatever. It could have been electricity or anything but it is the standard-setting that helps accelerate the competitiveness of our nation.
▶ 0:51:11Dr. Raman: Senator, I would like to point out the standard-setting is a key goal for nist. I agree. It is extremely important for america to lead in tech standard-setting that ensures, like I said, expanded markets for technologies but also american values are what underpin international commerce.
▶ 0:51:37Sen. Cantwell: I'm not sure everybody in the administration agrees on that so I hope you can be a loud voice. This is critically important. People hear the word standards and all of a sudden this is a regulation. In reality, you are talking about a voluntary process to accelerate our competitiveness by getting industry something they cannot necessarily do. There is a lot of competition and they would compete with each other and like their standard to win.
▶ 0:52:07Sen. Cantwell: You play the middle guy who basically says let's come together with a common standard and then we will go faster. You will play that role within nist?
▶ 0:52:19Dr. Raman: Yes, I will.
▶ 0:52:22Sen. Cantwell: This will not be the last of this debate. Someone will claim this is some sort of regulatory process. Will you support the manufacturing extension programs in law and under nist?
▶ 0:52:38Dr. Raman: Thank you for the question. I am fully committed to this administration's priorities to re-industrialize america and bring manufacturing back. You have been supportive of this, senator. At purdue, we have done a lot for the state of indiana and the highest concentration of manufacturing jobs. This is very near and dear to us.
▶ 0:53:06Dr. Raman: That said, I am aware there have been some ig concerns regarding the extension program.
▶ 0:53:13Sen. Cantwell: I only have a few seconds left. Do you support the manufacturing extension program?
▶ 0:53:20Dr. Raman: I don't know the specifics of your comments earlier about what has happened and not happen.
▶ 0:53:29Sen. Cantwell: Do you think it's a good idea to have a program at nist that you will be in charge of that is called manufacturing extension?
▶ 0:53:43Dr. Raman: I am supportive of whatever we can do to make sure advanced manufacturing moves ahead here in america in whatever way possible. I just don't know the specifics.
▶ 0:53:50Sen. Cantwell: What about nist telling us -- will you determine the impact of the agency's policy on chips and science and giving us a full accounting of how we are going to meet the goals of the chips and science act you are responsible for?
▶ 0:54:08Dr. Raman: Think for the question, senator. -- thank you for this question, senator. Both in manufacturing and the critical edge of next generation chips will be high priority for us. I intend to work with this committee and congress to make sure whatever resources you provide that we use it most effectively to make that happen.
▶ 0:54:32Sen. Cantwell: This is an account. We are not getting that out of the current administration. On the equity stipulation as part of this broad agency announcement that stipulates applicants to be required to issue the equity warrants licenses to the intellectual property, royalty and revenue-sharing.
▶ 0:54:53Dr. Raman: I don't know the details or specifics of this.
▶ 0:54:57Sen. Cantwell: Read a little more about that and give us an answer. You will have this organization and we want to hear your views about those policies because they are pretty big policies. We think the agency is making big mistakes and we want to know what your philosophy is. Thank you, Mr. chairman.
▶ 0:55:13Chair Moreno: Mr. anderson, how critical is nuclear fission service powered achieving a sustained presence on the moon and what milestones must nasa meet in that few years to inch of the united states, not china, is the first to have a reliable power infrastructure?
▶ 0:55:34Mr. Anderson: It's a perfect example. Nuclear propulsion and power is exactly where nasa should be focused on. It's a game changing technology that as we look at as that as we look at china, how do you move the needle? How do you get to the president's goal of returning american astronauts to the moon by 2028? Start building a moon base. As the space's policy -- space policy talks about, then we move on to mars.
▶ 0:56:05Mr. Anderson: We have to stay ahead of the chinese in this area. As we look at nasa and what we should be doing compared to the commercial space industry, this is a great example of today's challenge will be put taxpayer dollars towards a technology that will change the game. If it is ready, which nuclear right now is definitely not ready for a commercial partner, you handed over and let the american free enterprise take over.
▶ 0:56:32Chair Moreno: Where in nasa's orbit is nuclear research? Happening at scale and a world-class way?
▶ 0:56:42Mr. Anderson: That is near and dear to your heart in ohio. Thank you.
▶ 0:56:48Chair Moreno: Speaking of ohio, the armstrong test facility at sandusky has unique capabilities for simulated hypersonic flight conditions and rocket testing environments. You are a former colonel in the air force. How can nasa and dod work together to secure national security objectives like the golden dome?
▶ 0:57:09Mr. Anderson: It is a whole of government approach that the entire united states needs to focus on this competitor, not only in space but economically, hypersonic's, golden dawn, defense of the homeland. They are all interrelated. Nestlé in particular dating back to the apollo era, look at the technologies born from that as we look at f-22 thrust vectoring, stealth technology on bombers and fighters.
▶ 0:57:39Mr. Anderson: Hypersonics is this generation's version of that.
▶ 0:57:42Chair Moreno: Can you commit to visiting the center within 60 to 90 days of your confirmation?
▶ 0:57:49Mr. Anderson: Yes, senator.
▶ 0:57:52Chair Moreno: Raman
▶ 0:57:56Chair Moreno: Ra Dr. raman, ohis manufacturing partnership for decades has supported 14,000 manufacturing businesses across the state through six nonprofit centers. They help small and medium-sized manufacturers modernize operations, adopt technologies, strength and supply chains and stay competitive. I can tell you firsthand these are really important operations.
▶ 0:58:27Chair Moreno: Unfortunately, and quite frankly disappointingly, I have not heard proper justification. Nist froze $6.1 billion for all of ohio's programs. Those are matched with state funding and that triggered a total loss of almost $15 million, an almost complete wipeout of the centers and virtually wiping other staff. Rebuilding will be very difficult.
▶ 0:58:56Chair Moreno: Like I said, I have a great relationship with the commerce department and secretary lutnick on down. In this case I have gotten almost no information on what is actually going on, which has been disappointing. Supposedly there's an audit but there is nothing public to provide detailed funding -- findings. The mep model is not fully federally funded. That's also private funding.
▶ 0:59:26Chair Moreno: I want you to be clearer then you were with the ranking member. You support the mep model? In general, do you support the model of mep?
▶ 0:59:38Dr. Raman: Thank you, senator. We have an mep program for our state in in the end of that runs the purdue university as well. I know mep programs has brought bipartisan support. Like I mentioned, there are concerns from the ig.
▶ 0:59:57Chair Moreno: Do you support the model? To be clear, do you support the model? Yes or no?
▶ 1:00:06Dr. Raman: A lot of mep programs have done a lot of good work for sure.
▶ 1:00:17Chair Moreno: I'm not sure that's a yes. I want to make sure you work committed to reviewing the funding freeze and reestablish and reinstate that funding for the centers once the audit findings are resolved. Assuming the findings are resolved, can I get your commitment to restore the funding for these mep programs in ohio?
▶ 1:00:36Dr. Raman: Yes.
▶ 1:00:38Chair Moreno: Very important. Do you support continuing these programs?
▶ 1:00:46Dr. Raman: Like I said, I'm fully committed to advancing manufacturing and re-industrialization in america. Whatever resources congress provides nist, I will make sure we do our best to make full utilization of the resources to advance manufacturing in america. I'm fully committed to that.
▶ 1:01:02Chair Moreno: Let's get that done sooner than later. The senator from new jersey. >> Dr. raman, I want to continue. You are hearing strong bipartisan support for the manufacturing extension partnership program. You have raised concerns about an oig report. Can you give me your sense of what the concerns were that were raised in the report? What is lingering in your mind here?
▶ 1:01:29Dr. Raman: I have not had a chance to do a deep dive into those things. From the outside. I'm not in the position yet. I'm aware there are concerns regarding outcomes. I'm aware the president and the secretary have also expressed concerns about the program. I am not in the position yet so I do not know what may or may not have happened to the program.
▶ 1:01:57Dr. Raman: I am not in a position to answer these things but you have my commitment I am committed if confirmed as director to ensure manufacturing thrives, advanced manufacturing, the reindustrialization of america actually happens.
▶ 1:02:09Sen. Kim: I don't discount your commitment on the manufacturing side. I think all of us want to increase manufacturing but this particular program -- I raised this directly the other day and told you you would get bipartisan questions about this. The oig report is public. You should have read it. It talks about nist nist the problem being's lack of oversight, things we can do better when it comes to the data.
▶ 1:02:38Sen. Kim: It did not see the program is ineffective or needs to be defunded. What we see as follow-up is nist is taking steps to address some of the challenges they are having when it comes to oversight. I want to turn back to you. Does that alleviate some concerns here?
▶ 1:02:55Dr. Raman: Ensuring oversight over programs nist is responsible for is something I'm committed to doing if confirmed as director.
▶ 1:03:03Sen. Kim: The fact that nist is moving forward and is not about the ineffectiveness of the program but how nist can have better oversight, I hope he better oversight, I hope you can commit to continuing with this program, not making any rash decisions about it until we see the data and remedy the situation. Is that something you can agree with?
▶ 1:03:32Dr. Raman: I will be happy to work with you on that.
▶ 1:03:33Sen. Kim: It's important. This is something we have all seen beneficial in my home state. We have seen a huge benefit when it comes to the program. We want to make sure we continue it. Congress in a bipartisan way approved $175 million for the program. I want to ask you, will you commit to following the law and implement the $175 million we passed in a bipartisan way?
▶ 1:04:00Dr. Raman: I commit to following the law.
▶ 1:04:03Sen. Kim: I will take that and I think it's important. The other aspect, Mr. anderson, biological and physical science research at the and international space station has led to huge scientific breakthroughs that benefit all americans.
▶ 1:04:20Sen. Kim: Microgravity has allowed for the growth of large and more perfect protein crystals which will eventually to create more effective drugs for cancer, heart disease, alzheimer's, a because it is close to my heart given my father's situation right now. New jersey universities and companies conduct medical research at the international space station.
▶ 1:04:43Sen. Kim: If confirmed, will you work with me on preserving and expanding biological and physical science research at the international space station?
▶ 1:04:53Mr. Anderson: Yes, senator.
▶ 1:04:53Sen. Kim: More broadly, we support a biological and physical science research specifically across nasa?
▶ 1:05:00Mr. Anderson: It fits right into the wheelhouse aware nasa should be. If you think about our mission of exploring, innovate and expire -- inspire, it does all those things.
▶ 1:05:13Sen. Kim: You said you studied as a biologist?
▶ 1:05:18Mr. Anderson: We share that passion for science. My parents are sitting here and we would be happy to know we also share the same county where I graduated from high school. I appreciated our conversation yesterday.
▶ 1:05:27Sen. Kim: You are trying to butter me up, I get it. [laughter]
▶ 1:05:31Mr. Anderson: Is it working?
▶ 1:05:35Sen. Kim: If you follow through on that commitment on the science, then it's working. It is so important and there is so much at stake here. There's a lot of dynamics that are happening with the greater commercialization and space and there's a lot of national security issues we both understand about space that we need to take seriously.
▶ 1:05:56Sen. Kim: I think we need to reassert the importance of science, basic science router research -- science research writ large, and I asked for your commitment on that.
▶ 1:06:07Mr. Anderson: Yes, senator.
▶ 1:06:09Chair Moreno: I recognize senator young.
▶ 1:06:12Sen. Young: Throughout different hearings this committee has held -- we have seen a common theme. I have focused on many hearings how the government can support research, development and the innovation of critical domains such as ai, biotech and quantum computing.
▶ 1:06:35Sen. Young: Ai is a technology we know with tremendous potential to revolutionize seemingly every facet of our country. But we are only going to realize the benefits of this revolution if we maintain our leadership. It is imperative we do this. This is not only technology policy. This is national security policy.
▶ 1:07:05Sen. Young: This is economic security policy. One way the federal government is doing its part to support american ai innovation is through nist, as well as the center for ai standards and innovation, and innovation, an entity I am working to codify through my legislation with senator cantwell. Dr.
▶ 1:07:35Sen. Young: Raman, could you tell us about the impact of the standards that nist developed and with that, how standard attending translates into economic benefits for americans/ -- americans? How do we save the ackerman for the newly styled -- acronym for the newly styled center for ai security and innovation? You can include that as well.
▶ 1:08:03Dr. Raman: Standards and innovation. Thank you for the question. I will take the second part first. The importance of american leadership of tech standards globally. This is such a crucial issue. When american leads in setting global standards it means the rules of commerce are literally being based on american values.
▶ 1:08:32Dr. Raman: Free markets, private sector innovation, privacy, freedom of speech. When we leave a vacuum for the leadership, that allows for other standards that are not based on these values. They are based on state-based ideas. They are freedom suppressing and opaque. It's important from a values point of view that america leads in standard-setting in advanced technologies.
▶ 1:09:04Dr. Raman: There is a significant economic benefit and advantage to this. Many of the companies that are involved in standard-setting savvy wall of patents behind key elements of standards. When a certain standard gets locked into place, they have a big advantage because they have patents in the area. Setting standards is very important from that point of view.
▶ 1:09:27Dr. Raman: When countries -- when the european union sets a standard that is different, that creates a compliance cost to our technologies as we work on exporting our projects and technologies there. It becomes more multiplicative when those technologies are platform technologies. We were talking about ai and 6g. You will have many new technologies jumping ahead.
▶ 1:09:56Sen. Young: I'm going to ask a series of questions to unpack this in my remaining minute plus. What we are talking about is through tech policy in standard-setting and working with other countries on standards we are in part talking about advancing the values, the universal enlightenment values that are baked into our declaration of independence versus the autocratic values of other countries. Is that in part right?
▶ 1:10:29Sen. Young: Through no offense but will strike many of my constituents is an obscure topic about tech standards. That is fundamentally what this is about at one level.
▶ 1:10:39Dr. Raman: Absolutely.
▶ 1:10:41Sen. Young: Your job will involve interfacing after standards development with stakeholders in the united states, interfacing also with leaders in other countries, trade representatives and others to ensure we either are able to ensure other countries recognize our standards or harmonized standards with other family
▶ 1:11:13Sen. Young: Partner countries.
▶ 1:11:14Dr. Raman: Yes.
▶ 1:11:16Sen. Young: Let me go further. Our primary adversary, and most americans regard as the people's republic of china. They have an export oriented economy. If we can through standard-setting and negotiation and digital trade policy lock in free world standards, this export oriented economy that
▶ 1:11:47Sen. Young: China is going to either have to fully adopt our standards to export technology in the 21st century, enlightenment value, declaration of independence standards, or they will have to have a bifurcated economy which is highly inefficient and noncompetitive where they produce two types of standards. One for the domestic autocratic audience and another for most of the rest of the world. Is that vision flawed in any way that I just articulated?
▶ 1:12:18Dr. Raman: I one hundred percent agree with that, senator.
▶ 1:12:20Sen. Young: I am 100% going to vote for you then. Thank you.
▶ 1:12:24Chair Moreno: The senator from michigan. >> thank you, senator. Dr. raman, some of my colleagues have brought up the manufacturing extension partnership program and discussed aspects of it. It has been an incredibly successful program since it has been implemented.
▶ 1:12:53Chair Moreno: It is probably a lifeline to many manufacturers and hope that manufacturing is the lifeblood of this country. You cannot be a great country we don't make things and a lot of that is done with small and medium companies, not just the large ones. In michigan, the michigan manufacturing tech center, it saves small manufacturers in our state over $25 million in the past year.
▶ 1:13:20Chair Moreno: They provided training to over 4400 individuals and serviced over 300 companies. They help companies adopt advanced manufacturing technologies that improve efficiency and a cybersecurity and a host of emerging technology issues. They created databases to solve critical supply chain issues, do business consultations to help small businesses streamline their operations, skills gaps, recruit and retain talent.
▶ 1:13:51Chair Moreno: I have a list in front of me of their classes that they offer. They have courses like leveraging ai for competitive advantage, ai for quality control and assurance, ai for supply chain optimization and I can go on. It is an extensive list of coursework to make sure folks are on the cutting edge of technology.
▶ 1:14:13Chair Moreno: That is why given all this and the success we have seen in my colleagues have seen this in their home states, they have been confused and disturbed by this administration's repeated attempts to basically dismantle this program. I hope this administration cares about manufacturing. I hope they care about small to medium businesses. When you have a program that works, you should build on that success and of tearing it down.
▶ 1:14:39Chair Moreno: In response to these efforts I am happy to say we passed bipartisan bill that directs nist to ensure all 51 centers are promptly and fully funded. That was broad bipartisan support.
▶ 1:15:03Chair Moreno: Will you commit to the program as statue without redirecting its funds to redirect to the nist?
▶ 1:15:15Dr. Raman: Thank you, senator. I am not in position yet, so I do not know about the changes you are referring to specifically.
▶ 1:15:24Sen. Peters: There are no changes. We are funding these institutions. You are not there now. I get it. You don't understand the details. But you do believe that nist should follow the law. Do you agree that they should follow the law? Or is the law up for your negotiation?
▶ 1:15:42Dr. Raman: I will follow the law if I become director of nist, of course, senator.
▶ 1:15:49Sen. Peters: The appropriations bill is the law of the land, passed by congress in a bipartisan way. You are saying you will follow it. You will follow the law. You will fund these programs promptly and as directed by congress. You don't get to second-guess it. It is not about your personal views. I respect your personal views. But when you follow the law, you follow the law.
▶ 1:16:14Sen. Peters: If confirmed, will you commit to executing the program as directed by statute, without doing any kind of reorganization or fancy footwork? Just a yes or no. You will follow the law. Great. Thank you. Dr.
▶ 1:16:32Sen. Peters: Rahman, I was also glad to see that you updated your response to this committee's questionnaire last night to note that you are now actually committing to respond to requests for information from ranking and minority members of congressional committees, without reservation. In that response -- when the question was asked, it was a lot of legalese, trying to avoid answering the question.
▶ 1:16:59Sen. Peters: I want you to confirm here today in front of all of the committee that if a ranking member or a minority member of this committee makes an oversight request of nist, you will comply. >> yes. >> your commitment is critical.
▶ 1:17:21Sen. Peters: This also deals with cooperating with the government accountability office, which are audits requested by ranking members. Unfortunately, we have seen refusals from the administration to actually honor requests for information from the gao. Do you commit to cooperate with all key audits of nist? >> yes, senator. >> thank you, Mr. chairman.
▶ 1:17:54Sen. Peters: >> we recognize senator markey for his questions.
▶ 1:18:05Sen. Markey: Thank you, Mr. chairman, very much. And thanks to our witnesses for being here. Last week, we saw a chilling scene plate out in the american tech sector. The department of defense waged a two weeks long intimidation campaign against an american ai company, anthropic, which has deployed its ai models in classified d.o.t.
▶ 1:18:34Sen. Markey: Systems in the past, for reasonable communications about the use of its ai model. No mass domestic surveillance and no autonomous vehicles. In response, last friday, secretary hegseth posted on x that the department of defense not only terminated its contract with anthropic, but would also designate the company as a supply chain risk and direct all
▶ 1:19:08Sen. Markey: Dod contractors to immediately sever any commercial relationships with the company. That is godfather part one stuff. Given that 80% of anthropic's revenue comes from its business estimates, this is an attempt to destroy it altogether.
▶ 1:19:34Sen. Markey: A former senior trump ai official put it -- this is attempted corporate murder. Today, you have been vocal about the importance of american leadership in technology. You should be. Should U.S. government be attempting to destroy american ai companies because they refused to agree to certain contractual requirements? >> -- Dr.
▶ 1:20:03Sen. Markey: Raman: as I said in my opening remarks, I want to help nist to develop on the ai action plan. The specific requirement for nist is to be the gold standard of the measurement science behind ai, and the plan clearly lays out that all nist should do is focus on that, and focus on providing frameworks that other
▶ 1:20:34Sen. Markey: Agencies can use according to their mission relevance and what they wish to do.
▶ 1:20:40Sen. Markey: So what hegseth says is not squarely within nist's position. But if confirmed, you will serve as a key science and technology advisor. You also talked repeatedly in your testimony about the importance of U.S. innovation. So it is reasonable to expect you to have a view on the most important action the federal government has taken against and on ai company. So let's try this.
▶ 1:21:12Sen. Markey: This type of extortion against a U.S. tech company -- does it undermine innovation?
▶ 1:21:17Dr. Raman: Senator, without knowing the details, I'm really not in a position to answer this question. In my role if confirmed as nist director, I would be focusing on the ai action plan and the role that nist has stated in it.
▶ 1:21:35Sen. Markey: It is disappointing that you cannot condemn such a blatant and reckless abuse of power. The department of power. The department of defense's actions, hegseth's actions, are outrageous. To revoke the supply chain designation -- cease this retaliation against anthropic.
▶ 1:21:58Sen. Markey: Let me now turn to something directly within nist authority -- testing the accuracy of facial recognition algorithms. Facial recognition technology raises profound concerns about privacy and civil rights, and that is why I have long opposed the government use of facial recognition and that is why I am aggressively conducting oversight of the trump administration is abusive and unconstitutional use of these technologies for immigration enforcement.
▶ 1:22:28Sen. Markey: Ice and cpb agents have been spotted using facial recognition tools on protesters, and even threatening to put peaceful protesters in a domestic terrorist database. This is very chilling stuff in the united states of america.
▶ 1:22:46Sen. Markey: And while I will continue to urge congress to be on the government from using facial recognition tools, in the meantime, I am glad that nist's testing programs to evaluate the performance of facial recognition systems. While these tools are still being used across the government, do you commit that nist will continue its testing program and maintain full public access to nist's facial recognition testing results?
▶ 1:23:15Dr. Raman: Thank you for that question, senator. Nist, of course, has a historic and unique role in ai which begins in the 1960's with fingerprinting identification systems. It has got a really extensive technical expertise in this. What I will say is that, as I said, I am fully committed to the ai action plan the president has laid out.
▶ 1:23:43Sen. Markey: Will you continue to provide public access to nist's facial recognition testing results, yes or no?
▶ 1:23:52Dr. Raman: I'm not aware of what the status of that particular tool is. Rest assured that if confirmed I will really be leaning in to make sure that nist continues its leadership in metrology of ai systems.
▶ 1:24:10Sen. Markey: I am disappointed in that answer as well. It was not a clear answer. At the same time, the american people are actually experiencing the consequences of this technology in our country. I am going to continue to sound the alarm on this. We cannot carry out policies that are fundamentally turning this into an orwellian nation. Thank you.
▶ 1:24:42Chair Moreno: Just some follow-up questions. Mr. anderson, can you talk about what your experience is now with the morale within nasa? How are they feeling about the mission and the future? How motivated are they?
▶ 1:25:03Mr. Anderson: It is hard to tell the morale of the organization I am not in right now, but I appreciate your question, watching it publicly. And I see administrator eisenman's first two months, where he visited every center. Some centers, thousands of people were coming in on the weekends to meet their new administrator, eating up to 6000 doughnuts and coffee. I see these employees of the week in fighter aircraft improving the morale.
▶ 1:25:33Mr. Anderson: I think he is really hitting on that third tenet of inspiring that nasa takes so seriously. From the outside, it looks like it is on the upward trend. >> having been a criminal at the air force, how important is that motivation, that feeling of mission, to success, especially for extraordinarily complicated missions like what nasa has been undergoing?
▶ 1:25:58Mr. Anderson: Senator, I think it is absolutely critical, and the best organizations, whether it is the ohio state university in football, the military, nasa -- two soon. -- >> too soon.
▶ 1:26:15Mr. Anderson: Anytime a leader can focus on the mission, everything else takes care of itself. >> may be a brief question, it statement. We could do this in a bipartisan way. A very simple question for both of you. If members of the united states senate, specifically the U.S. commerce committee, send your office a request for information, can I get your commitment that you will respond quickly and efficiently?
▶ 1:26:43Dr. Raman: Yes.
▶ 1:26:44Mr. Anderson: Yes, senator.
▶ 1:26:47Chair Moreno: What you are hearing with the frustration is a lack of these answers to what is going on. I think that solves a lot of problems. Obviously, Dr. rahman, you got asked a series of questions. To clarify, you are not in the role today, correct? So there is no way for you to know the details of anything within the organization today, correct?
▶ 1:27:13Chair Moreno: So the questions that were asked were more generally speaking about what you would do when you are there. Of course like anybody nominated by president trump you will follow the law to the letter of the law, correct? And you will not inject your personal point of view on what the legislation clearly directs you, correct? Mr. anderson, the same with you, obviously. You saw there is enormous bipartisan support here for nasa, and I hope that sends a message to everybody at nasa.
▶ 1:27:44Chair Moreno: We support them. We want them to win. In your case, whatever appropriations we are doing, whatever we put pen to paper in law, you will follow that as well. Critics yes, senator, I will follow the law. >> since the walk to the capital is going to take a minute or so, is there anything you would like to add that you have not been asked in the last few minutes? How about you, Dr. rahman?
▶ 1:28:14Chair Moreno: Is there anything you want to talk about that would take you about 45 to 58 seconds to discuss?
▶ 1:28:19Dr. Raman: I just wanted to add my gratitude.
▶ 1:28:24Chair Moreno: None of you are prepared to be united states senator, because a senator can say hello and take five minutes. Clearly, you are not cut out for politics.
▶ 1:28:35Mr. Anderson: Senator, I do have a few thoughts.
▶ 1:28:38Chair Moreno: Perfect. Not a rocket scientist.
▶ 1:28:41Mr. Anderson: I think the important thing to remember here -- I appreciate your words about the recent legislation, the mark up yesterday showing support to the men and women that work so hard at nasa. They are very proud to be at nasa. And what we are about to accomplish in a couple weeks with artemis ii is historic. No other nation is going to do that.
▶ 1:29:09Mr. Anderson: What we just saw the administrator do in support -- and the support of this committee to move the artemis schedule, completely change it, because the mission dictated it, safety dictated it, and how quickly this committee said we support nasa, we support that administrator, and we support the national space policy -- we are going to beat china to the moon. We are going to establish a moon base. And then we are moving on to mars.
▶ 1:29:37Mr. Anderson: We are going to innovate technologies that will change humankind. We will inspire the next generation. I think that is what we are seeing from president trump, this committee, and the administrator, and I am looking forward to joining that team.
▶ 1:29:51Chair Moreno: Why do you think we had such a long time from the first mission to the moon, which was not when I was born, until now? What happened?
▶ 1:30:02Mr. Anderson: I think in 1961, when senator kennedy --
▶ 1:30:07Chair Moreno: I was not born in 1961.
▶ 1:30:11Mr. Anderson: We were in a space race that we won, but it took a whole of nation rally behind it. We threw 4.5% of our gdp at it to get there in eight years. And then as it went by -- we get to 1972 and we have been there multiple times, and it ends with apollo 17, and I think that is a completely different environment. The country lost interest. They said we have landed on the moon. The mission is different right now.
▶ 1:30:41Mr. Anderson: We're looking at artemis ii coming up, but it is going to be 3, 4, 5 -- increasing that cadence to try to get our lunches to the 10 month point instead of almost as frequent as we have world cups and summer olympics, three and a half, four years. Focusing on the mission, keeping things safe. That is what will not only deter our geopolitical rivals, but we can beat them.
▶ 1:31:08Chair Moreno: Dr. rahman?
▶ 1:31:11Dr. Raman: The first and the last man on the moon were purdue astronauts.
▶ 1:31:17Mr. Anderson: I appreciate that and wanted to point out that the air force academy has more astronauts than purdue.
▶ 1:31:25Chair Moreno: Fantastic. [laughter] for the record, colombians are much faster than cubans.
▶ 1:31:40Sen. Cruz: They are also more likely to be drug dealers. This is an age-old battle between humans and colombians. I seem to have stepped in the middle of some battle here. And while we are comparing connections to the moon, I will come out one of the very first words uttered on the surface of the moon was my hometown of houston -- houston, the eagle has landed. All right.
▶ 1:32:13Sen. Cruz: Let's start with the first trump administration's ai initiative emphasized nist's role in developing basic measurement standards for ai. Under the biden administration, nist used its authorities to inspect ai systems for risks from bias and misinformation.
▶ 1:32:31Sen. Cruz: At the time, nist claimed that even when harmful biases are mitigated, ai is not necessarily fair because it could exacerbate existing disparities or systematic biases. That is a motorized way of policing speech on climate change, transgender is him, and political thoughts.
▶ 1:32:57Sen. Cruz: Elsewhere, nist called workplace d.e.I.'s are and suggested companies consider whether ai chatbots might amplify historical, societal, and systemic biases. Nist's testing standards became a trojan horse for progressive social policies, with a goal of controlling american speech.
▶ 1:33:22Sen. Cruz: Does nist have any role in using its measurement and nonregulatory roles to regulate ai speech?
▶ 1:33:31Dr. Raman: It does not.
▶ 1:33:36Sen. Cruz: Do you commit reorienting to an apolitical mission, and ensuring nist does not serve as an engine for device, even under the guise of safety or increasing trust in technology?
▶ 1:33:47Dr. Raman: I do, senator.
▶ 1:33:52Sen. Cruz: You also commit to maintaining nist as a strictly nonregulatory agency that works through voluntary, consensus-based standards. All right. Nist often touches on strategic supply chains such as for semiconductors and critical minerals.
▶ 1:34:14Sen. Cruz: Recently, nist executed letters of intent whereby the federal government would take ownership in critical minerals companies, an approach that deviates from nist's traditional role. Consider critical mineral mining, a complex, complicated industry were sometimes it takes over 20 years to verify mineral deposits to build the needed infrastructure and to receive the required licenses.
▶ 1:34:41Sen. Cruz: Would you agree that federal equity deals tie up taxpayer dollars for a considerable time with no guaranteed return on investment? >> senator, I am not in the role, so I do not have the details in this case. I am committed to making sure that nist makes best use of resources provided by congress to advance semiconductor manufacturing.
▶ 1:35:10Sen. Cruz: If nist holds equity in an underperforming or failing company, with the government be pressured to use taxpayer dollars to hedge losses? Is nist equipped to make these decisions to protect U.S. taxpayer funds?
▶ 1:35:23Dr. Raman: Not being in the role, I don't know the details. I am really not in a position to answer that.
▶ 1:35:34Sen. Cruz: In complex systems -- sectors like critical minerals, companies often struggle against international competition. Since government ownership comes with risks, taxpayers could end up covering losses. Wouldn't it make sense for the government to streamline permitting and encourage domestic competition instead of trying to subsidize these companies?
▶ 1:36:02Sen. Cruz: >> this is outside the swim lane of nist, but I would be happy to follow up about what the role of innovation might be in processing and manufacturing.
▶ 1:36:15Sen. Cruz: Mr. anderson, if you are confirmed, described for this committee what you hope and expect nasa to do?
▶ 1:36:25Mr. Anderson: I hope and expect that nasa continues to quickly execute the president's national space policy that has been completely supported by yourself and this entire committee. We appreciate that at nasa. I think they expect nasa to exercise leadership, talk about space superiority. If you look at the executive order the president laid out, it was not just national security. It was nasa.
▶ 1:36:53Mr. Anderson: There were a lot of government parts to that. It was an order from the president. We are going to make sure american space superiority has been backed up by funding, authorizations in appropriations. I think that is what the american public expects.
▶ 1:37:09Sen. Cruz: What level of priority would you put for beating china to the moon? Ask the absolute highest priority, senator.
▶ 1:37:19Sen. Cruz: That would be the right answer. Glad to hear it. Discuss the importance of maintaining and keeping astronauts in low-earth orbit as we transition from the international space station to the commercial space station.
▶ 1:37:31Mr. Anderson: It is critical. The first word of the iss is international. We have a lot of owners invested in this. It is also competition with china. Our adversary is already in low-earth orbit. We cannot see american leadership in low-earth orbit.
▶ 1:37:49Sen. Cruz: Thank you to both witnesses. My final question is required of all nominees. If confirmed, do you pledge to work collaboratively with this committee to provide thorough and timely responses to committee requests and to appear before the committee when requested?
▶ 1:38:05Mr. Anderson: Yes.
▶ 1:38:08Sen. Cruz: I have 45 letters of support from various organizations for the nomination of Mr. anderson. I ask unanimous consent that these letters be inserted into the hearing record. Without objection, so ordered. Senators will have until close of business on march 7 to submit questions for the record. The nominees will have until the close of business on tuesday, march 10 to respond to those questions. With that, that concludes today's hearing. The committee stands adjourned.