Senate Commerce Picks Fischer and Lujan as Communications Subcommittee Leaders
Senate Commerce Committee leaders said Thursday night they have designated Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., as Communications Subcommittee chair and Sen. Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M., as ranking member, as expected (see 2412180052). Lujan chaired the subpanel during the two previous Congresses. Lobbyists said Fischer's elevation to the Senate Communications gavel will further amplify the importance of her vehement opposition to reallocating DOD-controlled spectrum, particularly the 3.1-3.45 GHz band (see 2501070069). Also a senior Armed Services Committee member, Fischer emphasized that position during a Wednesday Senate Commerce hearing, which again put her at odds with panel Chairman Ted Cruz, R-Texas (see 2502190068).
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USTelecom CEO Jonathan Spalter said Fischer's appointment “is a major win for rural communities across the nation. We can count on her to be a relentless champion for connecting the hardest-to-reach corners of heartland America to the very best our high-speed broadband future has to offer.” Senate Commerce said Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., will be Consumer Protection Subcommittee chair, while Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., will be ranking member. Blackburn and Hickenlooper were the subpanel's lead Republican and Democrat, respectively, during the last Congress. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., will chair the Space Subcommittee, while Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., becomes ranking member.