Document RaELw0MRe2p3raJNMJrk0GaNn

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION Nominations Hearing Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at 10:00 A.M. REPUBLICAN QUESTIONS FOR THE RECORD COVER PAGE Ms. Oz OST-2025-1200 Page 02160 Sierra Club v. Dept. of Transp. - 3:25-cv-06221 SC_EVERSPLIT0028041 SENATOR MARSHA BLACKBURN (R-TN) 1. In your role as Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology, you will be tasked with overseeing the University Transportation Center program. UT Knoxville is home to one of these UTCs, focusing on improving freight transportation to ensure efficient and resilient supply chains. UTK is at the forefront of transportation innovation, please explain how you plan to partner with universities and other stakeholders outside of the Department of Transportation to ensure that the United States remains at the forefront of innovation in transportation, supply chain resiliency, and logistics? 2. I have focused on for years is right sizing the federal government and ensuring that taxpayer dollars are going towards worthwhile, applicable research. I have been pleased that President Trump and Secretary Duffy share this concern for the smart allocation of taxpayer funds. How do you plan to ensure that federal dollars are spent on worthwhile research, retaining the partnerships that keep us at the forefront of innovation and technological advancement? 3. We often hear that the patent process is broken, especially when it comes to critical and emerging technologies. China is working to surpass the United States in this field, leading the world in 57 of 64 critical technologies. That's why I introduced the Leadership in Critical and Emerging Technologies Act, which would require the USPTO to establish a pilot program to expedite the examination of 15,000 patent applications for certain critical and emerging technologies. Can you describe your experience patenting autonomous technologies and what barriers exist for innovators in this arena? 4. In your new role, you will coordinate with modal agencies on autonomous vehicle research and adoption. It is critically important to our competition with China for technological dominance that the United States get this right. Please explain how you will apply your experience to your new role, ensuring that the United States is the world leader in the technology of the future. 5. What specific advantages does China have over the United States in autonomous technology, and how will you work to mitigate those in your role as Assistant Secretary? OST-2025-1200 Page 02161 Sierra Club v. Dept. of Transp. - 3:25-cv-06221 SC_EVERSPLIT0028042