UPDATE The U.S. Senate voted Tuesday to confirm Gina Raimondo as the next commerce secretary. The vote was 84-15 to confirm Raimondo, who’s been governor of Rhode Island since 2015.
As nominee, she faced pushback from Republicans over her comments about keeping Huawei on the Commerce Department’s “entity list,” which effectively blacklists the company. The previous administration was concerned the telecom was an espionage threat. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) placed a hold on her nomination, Inside Towers reported, over her answers concerning Chinese telecom Huawei.
During her confirmation hearing, Raimondo said she would review the policy and consult with lawmakers, allies and industry experts, but she did not specifically commit to keeping the company on the list, noted The Hill.
Under previous Chairman Ajit Pai, the FCC voted unanimously to classify the company as a national security threat. Huawei has denied allegations it poses a threat, and is challenging the FCC designation in court, Inside Towers reported.
In her new role, Raimondo would oversee several government agencies, including the National Weather Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Census Bureau, and the Patent and Trademark Office.
Telecom industry associations were pleased. USTelecom President/CEO Jonathan Spalter said the Commerce Department has “a critical role in our connected digital future – from cybersecurity to 5G and spectrum management to broadband deployment, accessibility and equity.” CTIA President/CEO Meredith Attwell Baker called Raimondo “an early leader on 5G, one of the first to recognize the ability next-generation networks have to expand connectivity and create jobs in communities across the country.”
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