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Sen. Cruz: 5G Has Tremendous Economic Potential If Driven by the Private Sector

Discusses E-FRONTIER Act and trade, among other topics with Fox News’ Neil Cavuto

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today appeared on Fox News’ ‘Your World With Neil Cavuto,’ to discuss his E-FRONTIER Act, which he introduced this week with Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.). The bill would protect commercial 5G broadband networks from nationalization without authorization from Congress. Sen. Cruz was also asked about trade negotiations, among other topics.

When asked about Verizon’s announcement to bring 5G to Houston, Sen. Cruz praised the decision and highlighted the economic opportunity private broadband has to offer. 

“Verizon just announced that they’re launching 5G networks in Houston, my hometown, [I’m] thrilled with that news,” Sen. Cruz said. “If you look at the economic opportunity, 5G in the coming years has the potential to produce 3 million new jobs. It has the potential to produce $500 billion in economic activity. I want to make sure it’s the United States and the private sector that’s driving that. There was a proposal within the administration to consider nationalizing 5G, taking over telecom. I think that would be a serious mistake. So this week, I filed legislation with Senator Cortez Masto, a Democrat, that would prohibit the federal government from nationalizing 5G.”

When asked about tariffs and trade negotiations, Sen. Cruz noted Texans are enthusiastic about the historic tax cuts, but remain concerned about trade.

“It’s the most consistent concern I hear from the Texas business community,” Sen. Cruz said. “The Texas business community is enthusiastic about the tax cut, it’s enthusiastic about regulations being pulled back and seeing more jobs [created]. But we’re worried about trade, and we’re worried about a trade war, and I think we need to be very cautious about not hurting jobs in the United States.”

Watch Sen. Cruz’s interview here. A one page summary on the E-FRONTIER Act is below.

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  1. Tax Reform