Paul Dabbar on May 1. Photo: Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The Senate Commerce Committee on Wednesday advanced Paul Dabbar to be deputy Commerce secretary in a17-11 vote.
Why it matters: If confirmed, Dabbar will join Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick at the center of major debates on semiconductors, AI, quantum, trade and more.
He'd be entering the fray as the agency looks to cut more of its staff and budget, all at a time when the U.S. is looking to lead in AI development and stave off competition from China.
Trump's budget proposes a $1.7 billion cut to Commerce, a 16.5% decrease.
Flashback: Dabbar, the co-founder and former CEO of Bohr Quantum Technology, served as the Department of Energy's undersecretary for science during the first Trump administration.
"Paul will work closely with our Great Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick, to bring back American Leadership in Global Commerce, Trade, and Technology," Trump said in a post when he announced the nomination back in February.
"Paul served as my Under Secretary of Energy for Science, where he lead the National Labs that started as the Manhattan Project, helping to drive semiconductors, AI, quantum, Energy Dominance, and our War-fighting capabilities."
What's next: The nomination now heads to the full Senate.
