US Senate
Senators Wyden, Hoeven Lead 11 Other Senators In Urging Delay of FCC Order on Rural Telehealth Program
Sens Ron Wyden (D-OR) and John Hoeven (R-ND) led a bipartisan coalition of senators urging the delay of the Federal Communications Commission’s order to reform the Rural Health Care (RHC) Program. In a letter addressed to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, the senators outlined their concerns with the FCC’s proposed RHC Program order by highlighting unaddressed obstacles that could effectively limit rural Americans’ access to high-quality health care by preventing health care providers from participating in the program.
Senator Markey Bill to Study Impact of Technology and Media on Children Gets Support from Microsoft, Lego, Ion, and Litton (US Senate)
Submitted by Robbie McBeath on Tue, 07/30/2019 - 12:15Senator Markey Leads Colleagues in Renewed Call for FCC to Protect Community Television Channels (US Senate)
Submitted by Robbie McBeath on Tue, 07/30/2019 - 12:13Senator Hawley Introduces Legislation to Curb Social Media Addiction
Sen Josh Hawley (R-MO) introduced legislation to curb addictive and deceptive techniques that tech giants use to exploit users. The Social Media Addiction Reduction Technology (SMART) Act would ban certain features that are designed to be addictive, would require choice parity for consent, and would give users the power to monitor their time spent on social media. The bill:
Sens Gardner, Hassan, Others Reintroduce AIRWAVES Act to Support Wireless Innovation and Close the Urban-Rural Divide (US Senate)
Submitted by Robbie McBeath on Tue, 07/23/2019 - 17:34Sen Manchin Urges Chairman Pai to Utilize Public Input to Fix Broadband Coverage Maps, Sends Own Speed Test Results As Proof (US Senate)
Submitted by Robbie McBeath on Fri, 07/19/2019 - 10:52Sens Feinstein, Cantwell, 18 Others Call on FCC to Maintain Earthquake Wireless Emergency Alert Speeds (US Senate)
Submitted by Robbie McBeath on Wed, 07/17/2019 - 09:40Sen Feinstein Reintroduces Bill That Prevents Use of Social Media Bots in Elections
Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) reintroduced the Bot Disclosure and Accountability Act, a bill to require disclosure of information concerning online social media bots. The Bot Disclosure and Accountability Act authorizes the Federal Trade Commission to enforce transparency requirements on social media companies regarding the use of social media bots that replicate human activity online.