Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) called for a congressional investigation on Wednesday into reports that Elon Musk personally ordered a slowdown of Starlink satellite internet services in Ukraine. Fitzpatrick, who co-chairs the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, stated that lawmakers must bring in witnesses to testify under oath to determine the circumstances of the service disruption.
The calls for oversight followed a Tuesday report by the Wall Street Journal stating that Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, directed a slowdown of Starshield. Starshield is a military-grade version of the Starlink network that is owned and operated by the U.S. government. Ukrainian forces rely on the system to coordinate defense efforts against Russian military operations.
Fitzpatrick stated on Tuesday that he has discussed the matter with colleagues from both parties and found a "strong resolve" to conduct oversight when the House of Representatives returns to Washington. He also questioned the role of federal agencies, suggesting that any executive branch departments that had knowledge of or participated in the slowdown should face financial consequences through the legislative appropriations process. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) also questioned who was responsible for the decision to restrict the satellite system.
For the Ukrainian military, the reported slowdown directly impacts the speed and reliability of internet access used for defensive operations. In the U.S., the investigation could set a precedent for how Congress oversees private companies that manage government-owned defense assets. If Fitzpatrick’s proposal for "financial consequences" proceeds, it could lead to budget cuts or restricted funding for specific federal agencies found to be involved in the disruption.
The next steps depend on the House of Representatives' return to session. Fitzpatrick indicated that he and his colleagues intend to initiate oversight actions "immediately" upon their return to Washington. As of October 21, no specific dates for hearings or subpoena deadlines have been announced. Musk and executive branch officials have not yet provided a formal response to the specific allegations in the report.
What is not yet known includes the exact duration of the reported slowdown, the specific geographic areas in Ukraine that were affected, and whether any formal government authorization was granted for the service restriction. Additionally, the specific "financial consequences" or legislative mechanisms Fitzpatrick intends to use against executive agencies have not been detailed beyond general statements regarding the power of the purse.