January 14 was expected to be a major moment on the automotive and political calendar. Senator Ted Cruz had organized a high-profile congressional hearing intended to address growing concerns around vehicle affordability, with the CEOs of three major American automakers slated to appear.
Instead, an uneven lineup of invited witnesses has effectively derailed the event before it could begin.
Once Cruz chose not to invite Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Ford CEO Jim Farley questioned why his own attendance was necessary. Through legal counsel, Farley also cited a scheduling conflict, noting that the Detroit Auto Show begins on January 14. As a result, the hearing has now been pushed into uncertainty.
According to reporting, the Senate Commerce Committee postponed its January 14 hearing after Farley declined to testify on the proposed date.
The session was originally set to include the CEOs of Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis, marking what would have been their first collective appearance before Congress since the 2008 financial crisis.
The situation became more complicated when Cruz opted to invite Tesla’s Vice President of Engineering, Lars Moravy, rather than Elon Musk himself.
Ford objected to this approach, arguing that inviting executives of unequal rank runs counter to long-established congressional precedent. The company further contended that if a vice president was deemed sufficient representation for Tesla, then the same standard should apply across the board.
GM appears to share that position, having previously stated that CEO Mary Barra would only participate if all invited CEOs were present. Stellantis has not confirmed whether CEO Antonio Filosa would testify. According to the report, GM, Stellantis, and Tesla did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
In an official statement, committee spokesperson Phoebe Keller said lawmakers are “coordinating with the leaders of the auto industry to reschedule this hearing,” while reaffirming that the agenda would remain centered on vehicle affordability, efficiency standards, and domestic manufacturing.
Cruz has continued to defend his decision to exclude Musk, arguing that Democrats would hijack the hearing and turn it into a political spectacle centered on Musk’s role leading the Department of Government Efficiency rather than focusing on vehicle pricing issues.
“If Elon is a witness, the Democrats will turn it into a circus,” Cruz said, emphasizing that the hearing’s intent was to address affordability, not Musk himself.
Despite the delay, Cruz maintains that the hearing will still take place and that Farley will eventually testify. Whether Detroit’s CEOs ultimately appear together, or whether Musk’s absence continues to loom over the proceedings, remains an open question.
