Ted Cruz Questions Commerce Nominee on US 'Iron Dome' and Broadband Deployment

National Security and Spectrum Allocation

• 🎯 Arielle Roth, nominee for Assistant Commerce Secretary, affirmed the paramount importance of National Security in discussions about expanding spectrum access.
• 🚀 She expressed optimism that collaboration with the nation's brightest minds can lead to advancements in international technology leadership while safeguarding national security interests.
• 💡 Roth committed to working with the committee to expand commercial sector access to midband spectrum to foster 5G and 6G development and maintain U.S. technological dominance over China.

US 'Iron Dome' Feasibility

• 🛡️ Senator Ted Cruz inquired about the feasibility of building an 'Iron Dome' missile defense system in the U.S. and its potential coexistence with commercial spectrum users.
• 🙏 Roth acknowledged the life-saving impact of Israel's Iron Dome and expressed optimism that a similar system could be developed domestically without endangering national security, leveraging the expertise of U.S. spectrum and feasibility study professionals.

Broadband Deployment and BEAD Program

• 🌐 Roth stated her commitment to ensuring the success of the BEAD program, aiming to connect all remaining Americans lacking high-speed internet access as expeditiously and effectively as possible.
• 🛠️ She agreed to work with the committee to remove extraneous requirements from the BEAD program, refocusing it on its core mission of connecting Americans to broadband in a cost-effective and timely manner.
• 🛰️ Roth emphasized that the BEAD program should be tech-neutral, allowing for a mix of technologies including fiber, fixed wireless, and satellite-based internet, to ensure efficient deployment across diverse American landscapes.
• ✅ She committed to overseeing the BEAD program without favoring any particular technology, individual, or company, ensuring the mission is to deliver broadband to the American people.