House of Representatives
Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan Proposal to Protect Children from Dangerous App Content
Reps Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI) introduced a bipartisan resolution (H.Res.721) that calls on technology companies to help empower parents to better protect their children from inappropriate content on digital applications.
Congressman Pence Leads Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Rural Access to Telehealth
Reps Greg Pence (R-IN) and Angie Craig (D-MN) introduced the Rural Telehealth Access Task Force Act (H.R.5506) to expand rural communities’ access to telehealth capabilities. The proposed legislation seeks to establish a Rural Telehealth Access Task Force between the Federal Communications Commission, United States Department of Agriculture, Department of Health and Human Service, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
House Commerce Committee Democrats Announce Legislation to Reform Section 230
House Energy and Commerce Committee Representatives introduced new legislation to reform Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which shields websites and online platforms from being held liable for third-party content. Senior Member Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Chairman Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Mike Doyle (D-PA), and Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee Chair Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) announced the bill.
Rep Eshoo Calls for Subpoena of Facebook Documents
Rep Anna Eshoo (D-CA), senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, called on the Committee to subpoena documents from Facebook related to recent whistleblower complaints and testimony. “Frances Haugen courageously exposed what we've long suspected: Facebook has known the harm caused by their platform and has done nothing about it," stated Eshoo. "The Energy and Commerce Committee must subpoena all documents from Facebook related to Ms.
Representatives Advocate for Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Distribution
Rep Elise Stefanik (R-NY) joined her colleagues in sending a letter to Acting Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel pushing for an end to the delay of the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) distribution. In December 2020, the FCC announced Phase 1 awards under the RDOF, which would deploy broadband to 5.2 million unserved locations.
Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Protect Consumers Making Online Purchases
Reps Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Chair and Ranking Member of the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, introduced legislation to combat the online sale of stolen, counterfeit, and dangerous consumer products.
Rep Guthrie Introduces SMART Spectrum Act
Rep Brett Guthrie (KY-02) introduced the Simplifying Management, Reallocation, and Transfer of Spectrum Act, or SMART Spectrum Act (H.R.5486). The SMART Spectrum Act would create an information sharing capability at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to allow more commercial use of spectrum licensed for federal government use. The federal government is currently not fully utilizing all of the spectrum licenses that are allocated for federal use.