Howard Lutnick at the inauguration. Photo: Julia Demaree Nikhinson - Pool/Getty Images
The Senate Commerce Committee will hold the confirmation hearing for Howard Lutnick's nomination for Commerce secretary at 10am ET on Jan. 29.
Why it matters: The Commerce Department plays a critical role in overseeing and implementing the CHIPS and Science Act and export controls on emerging tech.
- As Commerce secretary, Lutnick would be tasked with delivering the president's trade and tariffs policies.
This hearing marks an early opportunity to get a sense of the Trump administration's take on industrial policy and support for tech and science.
- President Trump panned the CHIPS and Science Act as "so bad" during the campaign, and instead proposed imposing high tariffs to make chip manufacturers build factories in the U.S.
- But CHIPS has been popular on both sides of the aisle. It'll be instructive to hear how Lutnick, the CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald who served as co-chair of the presidential transition team, would approach it if confirmed.
Trump immediately rescinded the Biden-era executive order on AI, but hasn't issued any replacement.
- Lutnick, as Commerce secretary, would be responsible for standing up, or standing down, many AI-related initiatives.
What we're watching: The hearing could feature questions about export controls, especially in light of Trump's EO freezing regulations.
- We'll be tracking any comments on the global export control regime from former President Biden's last days in office that are aimed at ensuring China doesn't gain access to U.S. tech through third countries.
