Authorization and Oversight Plan of the Committee on Energy and Commerce US House of Representatives, 118th Congress

The committee's oversight plan for the 118th Congress. Concerning "Communications and Technology Issues," the committee will focus on the following:

• A Modern Communications Framework for the Innovation Age: Continue to exercise its jurisdiction over wired and wireless communications to ensure our nation’s policies governing voice, video, audio, and data services are promoting investment, innovation, and job creation. The Committee will examine whether regulations should be updated to better meet the communications needs of the country and to ensure its citizens enjoy cutting-edge services and the economic benefits they bring.
• Federal Communications Commission (FCC): Conduct oversight of the FCC, including the efforts to reverse the reclassification of Broadband Internet Access Service as a telecommunications service subject to Title II of the Communications Act of 1934 and efforts to bring transparency and accountability to the Commission’s processes. The Committee will also focus its oversight efforts on the Commission’s administration of funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF), and investigate cases of waste, fraud, and abuse.
• National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA): Conduct oversight of the NTIA, including its administration of broadband grant programs created in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and efforts to bring transparency and accountability to NTIA’s processes. The Committee will also look into NTIA’s authorities and determine whether NTIA needs additional authorities to keep pace with the advancement of modern technology and the advancement of the communications marketplace.
• Spectrum Management: Conduct oversight of the Federal Communications Commission’s and the NTIA's management and allocation of the nation’s spectrum for commercial and government use. The Committee will evaluate spectrum management policies to ensure efficient use of the public airwaves for innovative communications services. The Committee will also examine whether plans for allocating spectrum maximize broadband deployment and encourages investment.
• Availability of Broadband: Investigate whether regulatory policies are helping or hindering broadband deployment. In particular, the Committee will examine the need for reforms to State and Federal permitting processes to speed the deployment of fiber optic systems and 5G wireless services. Additionally, the Committee will conduct oversight of funding mechanisms for broadband deployment and adoption, including the $9 billion per year Universal Service Fund, the $42 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) grant program created in the IIJA, and other federal grant programs that could be awarded for broadband deployment.
• Internet: Exercise its jurisdiction over wired and wireless communications to ensure continued growth and investment in the Internet. In particular, the Committee will monitor efforts to employ the multi-stakeholder model of Internet governance—in which governmental and non-governmental entities develop best practices for the management of Internet networks and content.