Senate Commerce Committee Approves FCC Reauthorization and Six Other Bills

The Senate Commerce Committee approved the reauthorization for the Federal Communications Commission, six other bills, and nominations. Committee Chairman John Thune (R-SD) provided the following statement on approval of the FCC reauthorization bill: “Today, the Commerce Committee approved a measure to reauthorize the FCC for the first time in 25 years,” said Chairman Thune. “It’s been a priority of mine this Congress to formally reauthorize the FCC and I’m pleased that we approved this long-overdue, noncontroversial measure. The Commerce Committee has been very active this Congress doing the important work of approving bills like the FCC reauthorization while pushing forward on thoughtful reforms.” Bills and nominations approved are as follows:

1) The FCC Reauthorization Act of 2016 (S 2644) Sponsor: Sen John Thune (R-SD)
2) Federal Communications Commission Process Reform Act of 2015 (S 421), Sponsors: Sens Dean Heller (R-NV), Steve Daines (R-MT), approved with roll call vote of 13-11
3) Developing Innovation and Growing the Internet of Things (DIGIT) Act (S 2607) , Sponsors: Sens Deb Fischer (R-NE), Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Brian Schatz (D-HI)
4) Youth Sports Concussions Act (S 2508), Sponsors: Sens Tom Udall (D-NM), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
5) Maritime Administration Authorization and Enhancement Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (S 2829), Sponsors: Sens Deb Fischer (R-NE), Cory Booker (D-NJ)
6) Digital Coast Act of 2015 (S 2325), Sponsors: Sens Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Lisa Murkowksi (R-AK), Dan Sullivan (R-AK)
7) Space Weather Research and Forecasting Act (S 2817), Sponsors: Sen Gary Peters (D-MI), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Cory Booker (D-NJ)