House of Representatives Commerce Committee

House Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai today urging the FCC to take immediate action to protect the High-Cost Fund against flagrant abuse of federal funds.

The House Communications Subcommittee held a hearing checking in on the progress made in the deployment of FirstNet, the first nationwide, interoperable broadband public safety network. Chairman Blackburn kicked things off by highlighting the importance of FirstNet to help first responders and make communities safer, “A lot of work at this committee went into reviewing the recommendations from the 9/11 commission on how to better prepare our first responders in times of crisis.

Democrats on the House Commerce Committee introduced a broad 21st Century infrastructure package that includes key areas within the Committee’s jurisdiction, including broadband, drinking water, healthcare, the electric grid, brownfields and renewable energy infrastructure. The Leading Infrastructure For Tomorrow’s America Act, or LIFT America Act (H.R. 2479), sets out five years of funding for essential infrastructure improvements, job growth, and greater protections for public health and the environment. The LIFT America Act includes investments in several key areas including $40 billion for the deployment of secure and resilient broadband to expand access for communities nationwide while promoting security by design.

The LIFT America Act will invest in programs with proven records of job creation. The legislation requires the payment of prevailing wages. The bill will also spur new high-paying technology jobs by supporting deployment of smart buildings, smart grid, and Smart Communities technology.

The LIFT America Act is sponsored by Reps Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Bobby Rush (D-IL), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Eliot Engel (D-NY), Gene Green (D-TX), Diana DeGette (D-CO), Mike Doyle (D-PA), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), G.K. Butterfield (D-NC), Doris Matsui (D-CA), Kathy Castor (D-FL), John Sarbanes (D-MD), Jerry McNerney (D-CA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Dave Loebsack (D-IA), Joe Kennedy III (D-MA), Tony Cárdenas (D-CA), Raul Ruiz (D-CA), Scott Peters (D-CA) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI).

“I applaud Chairman Pai for personally coming down to the committee to brief us on his Notice of Proposed Rulemaking rolling back the FCC’s reclassification of broadband as a common carrier. I remain hopeful that all parties involved can come together in a bipartisan fashion and work with one another on a solution that not only protects consumers but the future of the internet."

The House Commerce Committee’s Communications and Technology Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), held a hearing entitled, “Realizing Nationwide Next-Generation 911.” A fun time was had by all.

The voice, text, video and data capabilities of today’s smartphones have redefined the way we communicate and live our lives and our first responders will soon have the robust broadband communications capabilities of FirstNet. But the nation’s 911 network – which ties the public to our first responders – may not be keeping pace with these technologies. The Subcommittee examined where the nation currently stands in modernizing our 911 services with these next generation technologies and avenues to move this critical component to public safety forward.

The House Communications Subcommittee, chaired by Rep Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), held a hearing examining barriers to broadband deployment throughout the country. In addition to receiving testimony from two panels of witnesses, the subcommittee looked at two discussion drafts aimed at alleviating the burden and eliminating the red tape when it comes to deploying broadband throughout the country.

1) Discussion Draft to facilitate the deployment of communications infrastructure, would: Create an inventory of federal assets that can be used to attach or install broadband infrastructure; Require all landholding agencies to use common templates when leasing space for wireless broadband attachments, and; Streamline processes for communications facilities locations applications at the Department Interior and Forest Service.
2) Discussion Draft Broadband Conduit Deployment Act of 2017, would: Mandate the inclusion of broadband conduit during the construction of certain highway projects that receive federal funding.

Joanne S. Hovis, President of CTC Technology and Energy, spoke to the importance of public-private partnerships when deploying broadband, stating, “By working cooperatively with state and local governments, the private sector stands to benefit in multiple ways – as partners, as users of the networks to market their goods and services in the rapidly emerging information-based global economy, and as contributors to the next generation of innovations.”

“We are all tired of hearing stories about parents driving their children to the local McDonald’s for Internet access in order to finish their homework assignments. We owe them better, period. The 5G revolution is upon us and we should modernize our laws to address issues such as tower siting and federal rights of ways, which are tying the hands of the private sector,” concluded Chairman Blackburn. “Unleashing broadband will create economic, educational and healthcare opportunities for millions of hardworking taxpayers.”

The House Commerce Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection, chaired by Rep Bob Latta (R-OH), held a hearing to examine the ways that communities across the country are tapping into new technology and collaborating with private sector companies to deliver new initiatives that will improve safety, increase efficiency and create opportunity. The opportunities provided to citizens living within smart communities are endless. As Chairman Latta pointed out, “There are opportunities to improve education, traffic and health. We can drastically increase mobility and access to jobs. From safety to sanitation to the environment, communities that wisely invest in technologies can make a real difference in American’s lives.”

Full committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OH) expressed some of the challenges that local governments face when adopting and promoting new technologies. “These ideas may face difficulties with both funding and adoption. There are also important data sharing, cybersecurity, and privacy issues that need to be addressed when government entities are engaging with private companies to provide transportation, energy, or other community services.”

The incentive auction’s conclusion with more than $19 billion in bids marks the end of the second largest auction and years of successful work in bringing market forces to bear on spectrum use policy. The broadcast incentive auction revolutionized the way that our nation makes spectrum allocation decisions by empowering broadcasters, businesses, networks, and consumers alike. Not only did the auction successfully encourage investment and competition by bringing 70 MHz of licensed and 14 MHz of unlicensed spectrum to meet our nation’s wireless broadband needs, but also generated $7 billion for deficit reduction. We thank the broadcasters and wireless bidders that ensured the auction was a success and are looking forward to the FCC working expeditiously to repack the remaining broadcasters without disruption to consumers. We will continue to work together to free up our airwaves and usher in the future of wireless broadband.

The House Communications Subcommittee, chaired by Rep Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), held its first hearing of the 115th Congress with a holistic examination of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). In her testimony, Meredith Attwell Baker, President and CEO at CTIA and former Acting Administrator at NTIA, discussed the importance of NTIA’s role moving forward, stating, “There are limited additional opportunities for the FCC to make more spectrum available on its own. That is why NTIA’s role is so important – more so than ever before. … In light of the extraordinary value of spectrum to private and public entities, NTIA must have the prominence and resources to perform its critical tasks.”

John M.R. Kneuer, President and Founder of JKC Consulting and former NTIA Administrator, noted NTIA’s role when it comes to cyber defense and security, commenting, “By providing the perspective of industry into the inter-agency process, NTIA can help bridge the gap between the executive branch interests with national and homeland security responsibilities and key private sector interests so that they all support our collective cyber-defenses."

The House of Representatives passed eleven Commerce Committee bills. Bills related to communications policy include:

Federal Communications Commission Process Reform Act of 2017 (HR 290), sponsored by Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR), would make the FCC more efficient, transparent, and accountable through reforming the commission’s processes and ensuring the FCC regulates in an innovative and dynamic way. HR 290 passed the House unanimously by voice vote.
Anti-Spoofing Act of 2017 (HR 423) sponsored by Rep Grace Meng (D-NY), would protect consumers against fraudulent actors and deceptive text messages by updating the Truth in Caller ID Act of 2009, which prohibits entities from transmitting misleading or inaccurate caller ID information. HR 423 passed the House 398-5.
Improving Rural Call Quality and Reliability Act of 2017 (HR 460), sponsored by Rep. David Young (R-IA), would require intermediate providers to register with the FCC and comply with the service quality standards set by the agency in order to improve call quality from long distance or wireless calls in rural areas throughout the country. HR 460 passed the House unanimously by voice vote.
Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2017 (HR 555), sponsored by committee member Rep Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), would instruct the FCC to adopt rules that protect the rights of amateur radio operators to use radio equipment in deed-restricted communities. HR 555 passed the House unanimously by voice vote.
Kari’s Law Act of 2017 (HR 582), sponsored by Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX), would require that any multi-line telephone system connects directly to 911 when dialed, even in instances where the phone requires the user to dial “9” to get an outside line. HR 582 passed the House 408-0.
Securing Access to Networks in Disaster Act (HR 588), sponsored by full committee Ranking Member Rep Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), would create requirements for mobile service providers during emergencies to ensure that consumers have access to networks during disasters, and requires the FCC and GAO to examine the resiliency of networks during these events. In addition, it amends the Stafford Act to ensure all categories of communications service providers may access disaster sites to restore service. HR 588 passed the House unanimously by voice vote.
Federal Communications Commission Consolidated Reporting Act of 2017 (HR 599), sponsored by committee member and House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA), would consolidate eight separate reports at the FCC into a single, comprehensive overview of the communications marketplace, reducing reporting burdens and encouraging the agency to analyze competition in the marketplace. HR 599 passed the House unanimously by voice vote.