Washington, D.C. — In a 56-40 vote, the U.S. Senate confirmed Paul Dabbar as the new deputy secretary of the Department of Commerce. As the department’s chief operating officer, Dabbar will oversee a $11.4 billion annual budget, 12 operating units, and a workforce of approximately 47,000 employees.

Dabbar brings both scientific and private-sector experience to the role. He most recently served as president and CEO of Bohr Quantum Technology, where he led the development of advanced quantum network systems. He previously served as undersecretary for science at the Department of Energy during President Donald Trump’s first term, overseeing U.S. National Laboratories and leading initiatives in nuclear energy, quantum computing, and advanced physics.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick praised the appointment, saying, “Paul brings a science-backed mindset and deep understanding of how government and industry can work together to push the boundaries of American innovation and technology. His leadership will be critical in advancing research and emerging technologies.”

Earlier in his career, Dabbar was a managing director at J.P. Morgan, where he led more than $400 billion in global energy sector investments and managed commodity trading in energy and critical minerals. He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and Columbia University.

In a statement following his confirmation, Dabbar said, “As a scientist, I’m eager to work alongside the dedicated teams and partners across the department to accelerate research and drive innovation.”

As deputy secretary, Dabbar will also serve on the President’s Management Council, advising on strategic initiatives across the federal government.