Sen. Ted Cruz’s (R-TX) push to obtain broad subpoena power as chair of the Senate Commerce Committee is raising concerns among lawmakers—including within his own party, according to reports. Most Senate committee chairs require either permission from the ranking member or a committee vote to issue subpoenas, Bloomberg reports.
However, the Senate’s Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee granted its chair, Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), unilateral subpoena power, allowing him to demand documents and witnesses under penalty of contempt without needing such approval.
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Now, the Senate Commerce Committee is considering similar rules, potentially granting Cruz expanded investigatory authority. But his request has met with “consternation” among Democrats, who fear it could harm bipartisanship, and “even among some Republicans, who worry about giving their colleague so much control,” Politico reported Wednesday night.
This debate has left Cruz “in an awkward position.” “There were a variety of opinions,” one anonymous source told Politico. “It was to take input.” Cruz has signaled his intent to investigate artificial intelligence within his committee, specifically examining whether governments censor or manipulate AI models for political gain.
However, several major tech figures—such as Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, Apple’s Tim Cook, and Elon Musk, who heads the Department of Government Efficiency initiative—have recently aligned themselves more closely with President Donald Trump.
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Despite the reservations, Republicans on the committee broadly support granting Cruz unilateral subpoena authority for issues related to illegal immigration and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
The debate over subpoena power highlights a larger internal struggle within the Senate as lawmakers weigh concerns over partisanship, oversight authority, and Cruz’s ability to wield such investigative influence.
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