Rep Jerry McNerney (D-CA)

Rep Jerry McNerney (D-CA-09) sent Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai a letter following up on the Congressman’s request that the Chairman make publicly available all consumer complaints that the agency has received regarding internet and phone service during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rep McNerney asked Chairman Pai for a commitment to do this when the Chairman testified on September 17, 2020 at the House Commerce Committee’s FCC oversight hearing.

20 Members of Congress from the California Delegation issued a joint statement regarding the application for rehearing that was recently filed by wireless carriers at the California Public Utilities Commission. They wrote: “We are outraged that wireless carriers are arguing against safeguards that will protect Californians during wildfire season and that they are doing so as devastating wildfires burn across our state.

Rep Jerry McNerney (D-CA-09) led a letter to nine major communications providers asking them to outline any potentials plans they are considering implementing to address connectivity challenges related to COVID-19, particularly for individuals who are impacted by the digital divide. Congressman McNerney was joined by 11 other Democratic Members on the House Commerce Committee, including the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, Rep Mike Doyle (D-PA-14).

House Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Communications and Technology Subcommittee member Rep. Jerry McNerney (D-CA) introduced the Reinforcing and Evaluating Service Integrity, Local Infrastructure, and Emergency Notification for Today’s Networks Act (H.R.

Rep Jerry McNerney (D-CA-09) introduced HR 4486, the Digital Equity Act of 2019, along with his colleagues Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján (D-NM-03) and Rep Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY-09), Vice-Chair of the House Commerce Committee. The legislation seeks to close gaps in broadband adoption and promote digital skills training and digital literacy. ​The Digital Equity Act would establish two grant programs that would be administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to promote digital equity nationwide.

Reps. Jerry McNerney (D-CA), John Shimkus (R-IL), Billy Long (R-MO), and Anna Eshoo (D-CA) sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai asking that he move forward soon with a proceeding that takes a fresh look at the 5.9 GHz band. “We write to urge you to move forward with a rulemaking proceeding to take a fresh look at the 5.9 GHz band. Given the increasing demands for spectrum, it is crucial that we use this precious and finite resource in an efficient way,” the Members wrote.

Rep Jerry McNerney (D-CA), along with eight Democratic Representatives on the House Commerce Committee, sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai, requesting the proposed Streamlining Deployment of Next Generation Wireless Infrastructure Declaratory Ruling and Third Report and Order be removed from Sept 26’s FCC Open Meeting agenda. "[I]n order to achieve the best outcome for consumers, it is crucial that 5G be deployed in a way that carefully balances the interests of both communities and the wireless carriers.