Upcoming event

The hearing will examine the Federal Communications Commission’s first ever report on robocalls and review the steps Congress is currently taking to provide consumers relief from illegal robocalls.

Witnesses

• The Honorable Doug Peterson, Attorney General, State of Nebraska
• Mr. Kevin Rupy, Partner, Wiley Rein, Representing US Telecom – The Broadband Association
• Ms. Margot Saunders, Counsel, National Consumer Law Center

The statistics are staggering. Since 2004, more than 1,800 city and small town newspapers in the U.S. have folded and the number of reporters covering local news has decreased by fifty-percent. “News deserts” -- areas where zero or little local coverage exists -- are cropping up all around the country. Simultaneously, public trust in media continues to erode--fueled by divisive political culture, the rise in opinion journalism and the pernicious effect of misinformation and fake news in the internet age.

Agenda

9:15 a.m.: Welcome 

9:30–10 a.m.: Opening Remarks

Hon. Ed Markey, U.S. senator of Massachusetts

10–10:45 a.m.: Staying Connected: Tech and Social Relationships

Dr. Vivek Murthy, 19th surgeon general of the United States

 in conversation with James P. Steyer, CEO and founder, Common Sense

10:45–11 a.m.: Break

11–11:15 a.m.: Enforcing COPPA: Are We Protecting Kids' Privacy?

The hearing will examine the current state of the nation’s broadband maps, and evaluate the ongoing efforts within the federal government and private sector to collect more accurate broadband coverage data. The hearing also will examine ways to increase coordination among federal agencies that administer broadband deployment programs to ensure resources are targeted to unserved areas.

Witnesses:

The Energy and Commerce Committee will hold a full-Committee markup on H.R. 1644, the "Save the Internet Act," legislation to restore critical net neutrality protections.

An executive session to consider the following telecommunications legislative measures:

Witnesses

Ajit Pai 
Chairman, Federal Communications Commission

Jessica Rosenworcel 
Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission

The hearing will focus on the data privacy issues that impact small businesses and the unique challenges they face with laws designed for larger companies. 

Witnesses:

The Subcommittee will markup legislation to restore  net neutrality protections that were repealed by the Trump Federal Communications Commission.

The Subcommittee will consider the following bill: