Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-TX) is planning to force the testimony of an internet service provider that he claims has deplatformed conservatives, in response to Republican resistance to his attempts to obtain unilateral subpoena authority to bring Big Tech CEOs before his panel.

Cruz, a Republican from Texas, announced his intention to subpoena the communications firm Bonterra in a social media post, as The Daily Wire reported.

During his time as the ranking member of the committee in the last Congress, Cruz examined Bonterra. The corporation severed ties with a conservative women's group, he reasoned.

"Big Tech companies like Bonterra weaponized their terms of service to systematically deplatform conservatives," Cruz said in a statement to POLITICO.

More Actions

"Unless we put a stop to Big Tech’s growing weaponization of standard terms of service, more conservatives may find themselves unable to carry out essential administrative work, harming the entire movement and depriving President Trump and his administration of critical allies and supporters.”

The news broke at the same time that Cruz is continuing his efforts to convince the committee Republicans to provide him the power to issue subpoenas without the need for members' approval, which would be a change from the current procedure where chairs are required to seek either the ranking member's signature or a vote from the entire committee.

Cruz has pledged to "use every available tool" to engage in oversight of Big Tech, and among Commerce Committee Republicans, there have been ongoing private negotiations over whether to grant him this authority.

Before the end of the month, he had the group propose a bill that would ban social media use by anyone under the age of thirteen and forbid companies to use specific algorithms to target youngsters.

Possible Change

Trump administration officials, who have close connections with industry leaders, were concerned enough to halt an effort to implement the rule change last month.

A vote to subpoena Bonterra would require Cruz to rely on his Republican colleagues on the Commerce Committee, while the matter remains unresolved.

Cruz will likely receive this victory from GOP members because the corporation is not seen as an industrial powerhouse with excessive influence.

Republicans in the Commerce Committee have also shown a willingness to consider granting Cruz limited subpoena power to investigate issues pertaining to illegal immigration and the Biden administration's policies on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Another Subpoena

The Senate Commerce Committee chairman is subpoenaing the Massachusetts Port Authority for information requested last year regarding migrant sheltering at Logan International Airport, calling it "reckless and offensive," as Fox News reported.

Cruz plans to subpoena Massport for documents Republicans demanded last year about airport migrant shelters.

"Donald Trump put a stop to Biden’s open border policy, but a full investigation of this scandal is vital to both prevent its future reemergence and hold accountable those complicit in Biden’s lawless immigration orders," Cruz told Fox News Digital.