1. Monthly archive
  2. July 2021

July 2021

Sponsor: 

House Commerce Committee

Date: 
Wed, 07/21/2021 - 10:00

The Committee will consider a number of bills including:

H.R. 2685, the “Understanding Cybersecurity of Mobile Networks Act,” which was introduced by Reps. Eshoo and Adam Kinzinger (R-IL);

H.R. 3919, the “Secure Equipment Act of 2021,” which was introduced by Reps. Steve Scalise (R-LA) and Eshoo;

H.R. 4028, the “Information and Communication Technology Strategy Act,” which was introduced by Reps. Billy Long (R-MO), Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), Buddy Carter (R-GA), and Jerry McNerney (D-CA);


Addressing Military Veterans’ Economic and Broadband Needs

USA Cares and Connected Nation are asking leaders to consider using a portion of the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund–which recently allocated $350 billion across states, territories and tribal governments to use for pandemic-related economic recovery activities–to provide immediate relief and long-term support for veterans and military spouses. USA Cares works daily with veterans struggling with financial needs and other challenges that made adapting to life outside the military difficult. Connected Nation, dedicated to helping local communities, states, and federal agencie

Could Fixed Wireless Access Bridge the Digital Divide?

With the ability to be deployed more quickly than fiber at a possible lower cost–especially in rural, hard-to-reach areas–fixed wireless access (FWA) offers service providers another tool to give more people access to internet connectivity. A digital divide exists because provision of broadband is uneconomical. Both the terms of broadband subsidies and the desires of users require relatively rapid deployment, and FWA can be deployed much more quickly than fiber. It can also cost less, especially in the areas where a digital divide is more likely to persist.

Collaboration on Telecommunications Infrastructure Can Help Bridge the Digital Divide

The US faces complex choices in how to fix broadband infrastructure to close the digital divide. Governments, businesses, service providers, telecommunication infrastructure companies, and other players will need to work together to connect users in a scalable, cost-effective way while weighing new technology advancements to build a future-proof network available to and affordable for all.

Rep Castor Introduces the 21st Century FTC Act

Rep Kathy Castor (D-FL) introduced the 21st Century FTC Act, legislation that would give the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Administrative Procedure Act rulemaking authority and first offense civil penalty authority. “For too long, the FTC has been hamstrung in its ability to promulgate effective rules of the road for consumers and penalize companies that harm our friends and neighbors," stated Castor.

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