January 2017

The House of Representatives passed eleven Commerce Committee bills. Bills related to communications policy include:

Federal Communications Commission Process Reform Act of 2017 (HR 290), sponsored by Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR), would make the FCC more efficient, transparent, and accountable through reforming the commission’s processes and ensuring the FCC regulates in an innovative and dynamic way. HR 290 passed the House unanimously by voice vote.
Anti-Spoofing Act of 2017 (HR 423) sponsored by Rep Grace Meng (D-NY), would protect consumers against fraudulent actors and deceptive text messages by updating the Truth in Caller ID Act of 2009, which prohibits entities from transmitting misleading or inaccurate caller ID information. HR 423 passed the House 398-5.
Improving Rural Call Quality and Reliability Act of 2017 (HR 460), sponsored by Rep. David Young (R-IA), would require intermediate providers to register with the FCC and comply with the service quality standards set by the agency in order to improve call quality from long distance or wireless calls in rural areas throughout the country. HR 460 passed the House unanimously by voice vote.
Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2017 (HR 555), sponsored by committee member Rep Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), would instruct the FCC to adopt rules that protect the rights of amateur radio operators to use radio equipment in deed-restricted communities. HR 555 passed the House unanimously by voice vote.
Kari’s Law Act of 2017 (HR 582), sponsored by Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX), would require that any multi-line telephone system connects directly to 911 when dialed, even in instances where the phone requires the user to dial “9” to get an outside line. HR 582 passed the House 408-0.
Securing Access to Networks in Disaster Act (HR 588), sponsored by full committee Ranking Member Rep Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), would create requirements for mobile service providers during emergencies to ensure that consumers have access to networks during disasters, and requires the FCC and GAO to examine the resiliency of networks during these events. In addition, it amends the Stafford Act to ensure all categories of communications service providers may access disaster sites to restore service. HR 588 passed the House unanimously by voice vote.
Federal Communications Commission Consolidated Reporting Act of 2017 (HR 599), sponsored by committee member and House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA), would consolidate eight separate reports at the FCC into a single, comprehensive overview of the communications marketplace, reducing reporting burdens and encouraging the agency to analyze competition in the marketplace. HR 599 passed the House unanimously by voice vote.

Billionaire investor Wilbur Ross, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Commerce Department, cleared a key Senate panel with bipartisan support, signaling an easy path to confirmation. The Senate Commerce Committee approved Ross's nomination in a voice vote with no opposition.

Ross amassed his fortune by investing in distressed industries that have been hard hit by the forces of globalization, including steel, coal and textiles. He was one of Trump’s key advisers on trade policy on the campaign trail and is slated to take a leading role in carrying out the White House’s promise to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement. During his confirmation hearing, Ross advocated the need for bilateral trade deals rather than sweeping agreements such as the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune (R-SD) discussed the committee’s tech agenda for the 115th Congress during a speech at the State of the Net internet policy conference.

Chairman Thune said, "First, we need to modernize our communications laws to facilitate the growth of the Internet itself. And second, we need to update government policies to better reflect the innovations made possible by the Internet and other digital technologies. As chairman of the Senate committee most focused on helping businesses find opportunities for growing worker rolls and paychecks, the vast majority of our top agenda items fit into one of those two buckets....My goals for the current Congress include: enacting MOBILE NOW; moving additional legislation on broadband deployment and spectrum policy; including broadband in any larger infrastructure package; finding a long-term, legislative solution to protecting the open Internet; and working with my colleagues in the Senate and the House on overdue updates to modernize the FCC and our communications laws."