House of Representatives
Rep Bilirakis Works to Close the Digital Divide by Prioritizing Broadband Investment in Flood Plains
Rep Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) reintroduced the Coastal Broadband Deployment Act, which would accelerate the deployment of broadband projects entirely within a floodplain.
Reps Peters, Walberg Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Bridge Digital Divide
Reps Scott Peters (D-CA) and Tim Walberg (R-MI) introduced the Proper Leadership to Align Networks for Broadband Act. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation would require the Administration to develop and implement a national strategy to close the digital divide. The PLAN for Broadband Act is based on a Government Accountability Office report that found federal broadband efforts are fragmented and overlapping.
Rep Laurel Lee Introduces Bill to Protect American Broadband Consumers
Reps Laurel Lee (R-FL) and Marc Veasey (D-TX) introduced the Stopping the Theft and Destruction of Broadband Act. This bill will impose penalties for those who damage or steal broadband lines. Specifically, the bill will amend section 1362 of title 18, United States Code, to prohibit the destruction of broadband internet access service.
Rep Dave Taylor Introduces Bill to Curb Bureaucratic Delays and Enhance Affordability of Rural Broadband
Rep Dave Taylor (R-OH-2) introduced the Bridging the Broadband Gap Act, which will prioritize the affordability and expansion of broadband to rural communities through satellite and fixed-wireless broadband. This bill will allow states to use funds from the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment Program to pay for 50 percent of the initial cost of a satellite or fixed wireless receiver and $30 of each monthly bill for the first year of service.
Reps Trahan, Sens Cassidy and Ossoff Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Restore Americans’ Control Over Their Own Data
Rep Lori Trahan (D-MA-03), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee, partnered with Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and John Ossoff (D-GA) to reintroduce the Data Elimination and Limiting Extensive Tracking and Exchange (DELETE) Act.
Reps Matsui, Allen, Walberg Reintroduce Future Networks Act
Reps Doris Matsui (D-CA-7), Rick Allen (R-GA-12), and Tim Walberg (R-MI-5) reintroduced the Future Uses of Technology Upholding Reliable and Enhanced Networks Act, legislation that directs the Federal Communications Commisison to bring together industry leaders, public interest groups and government experts to establish a 6G Task Force. Specifically, the FUTURE Networks Act:
Congressman Taylor Introduces Bill Aimed at Expanding Broadband Access Across Appalachia
Rep Dave Taylor (R-OH-02) introduced the Expanding Appalachia’s Broadband Access Act, which aims to increase access to broadband for rural communities across Appalachia. The Expanding Appalachia’s Broadband Access Act will direct the submission of a request to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study on the capabilities of low-orbit satellites operated under the purview of the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC).
Reps Landsman, Carter Lead on Letter Urging Commerce Secretary to Release Broadband Program Funds
Reps Greg Landsman (D-OH-1) and Troy Carter (D-LA-2) led ten other members of the House Communications Subcommittee to send a letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick urging the immediate release of stalled Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program funds. "While we understand you have launched a review of the program, we urge you to consider the reality of where BEAD sits today and the consequences of retroactive mandates at this late stage. Despite predictions to the contrary, the so-called “pointless requirements” have not deterred private industry participation in BEAD.
Reps Allen and Kaptur Introduce the TELL Act
Reps Rick Allen (R-GA-12) and Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-9) introduced the Telling Everyone the Location of Data Leaving the U.S. Act (TELL Act) to protect American data from the Chinese Communist Party. The TELL Act would enable the Federal Trade Commission to endorse rules that would make it easier for Americans to know if China has compromised their data and if it is being stored, transferred, or exposed to China or companies owned by the Chinese Communist Party.