Alleging that programs exceeded boundaries set by Congress, Senate Commerce Chair Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Howard Lutnick, President Donald Trump’s nominee for Commerce secretary, are looking to cut portions from tech initiatives, from semiconductor subsidies to broadband expansion.
The Biden administration tacked on “left wing social objectives” as it implemented legislation passed by Congress, Cruz said at Lutnick’s nomination hearing, referring to demands placed by the Biden White House on recipients of federal grants from a $39 billion fund set up under the 2022 tax and climate law.
Pressed by committee Democrats on whether he’d honor contracts signed by the Biden administration with chip manufacturers, Lutnick offered tepid backing.
