Sen. Cruz Discusses Infrastructure Proposals with Administration Officials
Questions Secretaries Ross, Chao, and Perry on 5G, Air Traffic Control modernization, and Port of Corpus Christi Ship Channel Improvement Project
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), member of the Senate Commerce Committee, participated in today’s committee hearing titled, “Rebuilding Infrastructure in America: Administration Perspectives.” There, Sen. Cruz questioned Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao, and Secretary of Energy Rick Perry on reports regarding the potential nationalization of 5G, the Administration’s efforts to modernize Air Traffic Control, and regulatory reform to accelerate the Port of Corpus Christi Ship Channel Improvement Project.
Watch Sen. Cruz’s line of questioning here.
In an exchange with Secretary Ross, Sen. Cruz expressed his concerns with plans to nationalize 5G networks.
“Let me make clear at least my position, and I think the position of a great many people in Congress, is that it would be a grave mistake to nationalize 5G, and I think you would face very significant resistance in both houses for any proposal to do so.”
Sen. Cruz also discussed his support of the Administration’s proposal to modernize Air Traffic Control with Secretary Chao.
“You and I have been vocal supporters of the President’s proposal to modernize [the] Air Traffic Control system. Modernizing Air Traffic Control that can reduce the size of the federal government and at the same time benefit the environment, save costs, save fuel, save time. It’s supported by unionized workers, while at the same time having free-market benefits. There have been some concerns raised from the world of general aviation about the proposal, but I remain convinced that a win-win solution is possible that will enable the cost savings, enable the time savings, enable the safety improvements, enable the environmental benefits, while at the same time fully protecting general aviation which is an important part of transportation nationally.”
In an exchange with Secretary Perry, Sen. Cruz expressed his interest in modifying regulations to speed up Port of Corpus Christi Ship Channel Improvement Project.
“Secretary Perry, as I understand it, you recently visited your Alma Matter, Texas A&M, and the new RELLIS Campus last month and toured the Center for Infrastructure Renewal at the Bryan Campus, which will serve as a leading source for developing transformative infrastructure solutions. One project in Texas that I believe you’re familiar with from your time as Governor, is the Port of Corpus Christi Ship Channel Improvement Project. And the Port of Corpus Christi currently, has the funding available to deepen and widen the Port, but they’re having to navigate with the Army Corps of Engineers which can be at times slow and cumbersome and can lead to unnecessary project delays. One solution is to modify the Army Corps of Engineers’ regulations to grant more authority for Ports to execute Army Corps of Engineers’ projects.”
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