Paul Dabbar Confirmed as Commerce Deputy Secretary, Poised to Shape U.S. Tech Future

Former Energy Under Secretary’s Expertise in Quantum and National Labs Signals Robust Innovation Push

In a 56-40 Senate vote on June 25, 2025, Paul Dabbar, a nuclear submarine officer turned quantum technology pioneer, was confirmed as the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Deputy Secretary.

As Chief Operating Officer, he’ll oversee a $11.4 billion budget, 12 units, and 47,000 employees, driving innovation in AI, semiconductors, and quantum technology.

Dabbar’s prior role as Under Secretary for Science at the Department of Energy saw him lead most U.S. National Labs, managing nuclear, computing, and physics research while commercializing cutting-edge technologies.

His private-sector experience includes steering $400 billion in energy investments at J.P. Morgan.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick praised Dabbar’s “science-backed mindset” for advancing U.S. tech leadership.

Dabbar’s appointment signals a strategic focus on bolstering America’s global edge in emerging technologies, critical for economic and national security.