Benton Institute for Broadband & Society - US Senate

On 25th Anniversary of the 1996 Telecommunications Act, Sen Markey and Rep Eshoo Reintroduce National Broadband Plan for the Future Act

benton — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 15:34:36 +0000

Sen Edward Markey (D-MA) and Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA) reintroduced of the National Broadband Plan for the Future Act, legislation that instructs the Federal Communications Commission to update the National Broadband Plan and develop an updated roadmap for achieving universal connectivity. The introduction coincides with tomorrow’s 25th anniversary of the 1996 Telecommunications Act, which catalyzed the market competition and broadband deployment that has transformed American life in the 21st century. Senator Markey was the principal Democratic author of the 1996 Act while serving in the House of Representatives. Sen Markey also authored language in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 that mandated the original National Broadband Plan, which set out a comprehensive roadmap for providing universal internet connectivity. The new legislation would require the FCC to assess the nation’s progress in deploying broadband infrastructure since that original plan was created, as well as develop a refreshed roadmap for closing the digital divide that incorporates the latest technologies and lessons learned during the coronavirus pandemic. In addition, the National Broadband Plan for the Future Act requires the FCC to develop detailed strategies for how connectivity can be used to advance racial justice, socioeconomic equity, consumer welfare, public safety, health care, education, and more.

Benton Content:

https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/on-25th-anniversary-of-1996-te…

Teaser:

Updating the National Broadband Plan and developing a new roadmap for achieving universal connectivity

Source:

US Senate

Author:

Sen Ed Markey (D-MA)

Send date:

Tue, 02/09/2021

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 2/8/2021

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Not Available

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Publish Date:

Mon, 02/08/2021

Coverage Type:

Privacy and Data Protection Framework

benton — Mon, 18 Nov 2019 21:00:22 +0000

We believe that a comprehensive federal privacy and data security law is essential to hold institutions accountable, restore consumer trust, and protect our privacy. We have developed a set of core principles that should be included in any comprehensive data protection legislation. Under our framework, consumers would control their personal information, and corporations, non-profits, and political entities would be held to higher standards for when and how they collect, use, share, and protect our data. Nothing in this framework should be interpreted to change or displace existing privacy laws, or privacy laws scheduled to go into effect. Our principles will: Establish data safeguards, Invigorate competition, Strengthen consumer and civil rights, and Impose real accountability.

Benton Content:

https://www.democrats.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Final_CMTE%20Privacy%20Principles…

Teaser:

Ranking Members of four key Senate committees unveil privacy priorities.

Source:

US Senate

Author:

Sen Maria Cantwell (D-WA)

Sen Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)

Sen Sherrod Brown (D-OH)

Sen Patty Murray (D-WA)

Send date:

Tue, 11/19/2019

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 11/18/2019

DD Publish Status:

Not Available

Include summary in newsletter email:

Publish Date:

Mon, 11/18/2019

Coverage Type:

Reporting

Online privacy

Senate and House Democrats Introduce Resolution to Reinstate Net Neutrality

Robbie McBeath — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 19:11:59 +0000

On the Net Neutrality National Day of Action, Senate and House Democrats introduced a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to overturn the Federal Communications Commission’s partisan decision on network neutrality. Sens Ed Markey (D-MA), House Communications Subcommittee Ranking Member Mike Doyle (D-PA), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) announced introduction of House and Senate resolutions to fully restore the 2015 Open Internet Order. The Senate CRA resolution of disapproval stands at 50 supporters. Ranking Member Doyle’s resolution in the House of Representatives currently has 150 co-sponsors.

“President Trump and FCC Chairman Ajit Pai might want to end the internet as we know it, but we won’t agonize, we will organize,” said Sen Markey. “The grassroots movement to reinstate net neutrality is growing by the day, and we will get that one more vote needed to pass my CRA resolution. I urge my Republicans colleagues to join the overwhelming majority of Americans who support a free and open internet. The internet is for all – the students, teachers, innovators, hard-working families, small businesses, and activists, not just Verizon, Charter, AT&T, and Comcast and corporate interests.”

Benton Content:

https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senate-and-house-democrats-int…

https://www.markey.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Congressional%20Review%20Act.pdf

http://thehill.com/policy/technology/375829-democrats-officially-introduce-legis…

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/washington/cra-block-internet-reg-rollback…

Teaser:

On the Net Neutrality National Day of Action, Senate and House Democrats introduced a Congressional Review Act resolution to overturn the Federal Communications Commission’s partisan decision on net neutrality.

Source:

US Senate

Author:

press release

Priority:

High

Send date:

Wed, 02/28/2018

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 2/27/2018

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Not Available

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Publish Date:

Tue, 02/27/2018

Coverage Type:

Press Release

Internet/Broadband

Regulatory classification

Network Neutrality

Sen Markey Leads Resolution to Restore FCC’s Net Neutrality Rules

Robbie McBeath — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 16:58:06 +0000

Sen Ed Markey (D-MA) and 15 other Sens announced their plan to introduce a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution that would undo Dec 14's action by the Federal Communications Commission and restore the 2015 net neutrality rules.

“We will fight the FCC’s decisions in the courts, and we will fight it in the halls of Congress,” said Sen Markey. “With this CRA, Congress can correct the Commission’s misguided and partisan decision and keep the internet in the hands of the people, not big corporations. Our Republicans colleagues have a choice - be on the right side of history and stand with the American people who support net neutrality, or hold hands with the big cable and broadband companies who only want to supercharge their profits at the expense of consumers and our economy.”

Benton Content:

https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-markey-leads-resolutio…

https://www.markey.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/CRA%20Net%20Neutrality%20.pdf

http://www.multichannel.com/news/congress/hill-dems-seek-nullify-fcc-net-rule-ro…

Teaser:

Source:

US Senate

Author:

Sen Ed Markey (D-MA)

Priority:

High

Send date:

Sat, 12/16/2017

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 12/15/2017

DD Publish Status:

Not Available

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Publish Date:

Fri, 12/15/2017

Coverage Type:

Press Release

Agenda

Internet/Broadband

Regulatory classification

Network Neutrality

Senators Call for Impartial Investigation into Potential Quid Pro Quo between Chairman Ajit Pai, Trump Administration, and Sinclair Broadcasting

Robbie McBeath — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 21:10:09 +0000

Sens Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Tom Udall (D-NM), and 13 of their Senate colleagues are requesting the inspector general of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) open an investigation into the objectivity and impartiality of the FCC’s review of the proposed merger of Sinclair Broadcasting and Tribune Media.

“We have strong concerns that the FCC’s ongoing review of the proposed merger of Sinclair Broadcasting and Tribune Media may be tainted by a series of actions and events that raise questions about the independence and impartiality of the FCC,” wrote the senators to FCC Inspector General David Hunt. In addition to Sens Cantwell and Udall, Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Patty Murray (D-WA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Al Franken (D-MN), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-NV), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) also signed the letter. In their letter to the inspector general, the senators point out 16 actions and events that suggest a disturbing pattern of a three way quid pro quo involving Sinclair, the Trump Administration, and Chairman Ajit Pai. Many of the actions taken by Chairman Pai have overturned decades-long, settled legal precedent.

The Sens are also asking that Chairman Pai recuse himself from all FCC business related to the Sinclair-Tribune merger until the investigation has determined whether or not there were any improper actions that would call into question the independence of the agency.

Benton Content:

https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/led-by-cantwell-and-udall-se…

https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/11152017%20Letter%20to%20FCC%20Cha…

http://thehill.com/policy/technology/360549-senate-dems-want-fcc-chair-to-recuse…

Teaser:

Source:

US Senate

The Hill

Author:

Sen Maria Cantwell (D-WA)

Priority:

High

Send date:

Thu, 11/16/2017

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 11/15/2017

DD Publish Status:

Not Available

Include summary in newsletter email:

Publish Date:

Wed, 11/15/2017

Coverage Type:

Press Release

Government & Communications

Gov performance

Ownership

Weaponizing Terms of Service: How Online Service Providers Use Broad Policies to Silence Conservatives

benton — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 20:30:27 +0000

A report on how online service providers are weaponizing their terms of service to deny conservative organizations access to essential business technology. The report concludes with the following recommendations:

Legislation requiring Online Service Providers to publish the standards, including detailed definitions of all key terms and phrases, they may employ to deny or cancel services.
Legislation requiring Online Service Providers to provide written notice to a user when refusing to provide a service or cancelling a service based on the user’s violation of the terms of service. This written notice must specifically identify the users’ actions that violated the terms of service. The Online Service Providers must also request the user’s permission to post the refusal or cancellation on its public website and do so if the user gives that permission.
Legislation requiring Online Service Providers to publish an annual report on their public websites outlining actions taken to enforce their terms of service. This report must include the number of instances that the Online Service Provider denied or cancelled service based on the terms of service, and, for each instance, the specific provision that was violated, as well as the source for the alert of the violation.

Benton Content:

https://www.commerce.senate.gov/services/files/253BF7A3-EA7E-41B2-85AA-6404BF484…

Teaser:

A report on how online service providers are weaponizing their terms of service to deny conservative organizations access to essential business technology.

Source:

US Senate

Author:

Sen Ted Cruz (R-TX)

Send date:

Thu, 04/25/2024

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 4/24/2024

DD Publish Status:

Not Available

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Publish Date:

Wed, 04/24/2024

Coverage Type:

Sen Brown, Youngstown Mayor Discuss Fight to Protect Ohioans from Increase in Cost of High-Speed Internet (US Senate)

benton — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 17:21:06 +0000

Links:

Sen Brown, Youngstown Mayor Discuss Fight to Protect Ohioans from Increase in Cost of High-Speed Internet

Offsite url:

Open offsite URL

Source:

US Senate

DD Publish Status:

Not Available

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 4/18/2024

Bipartisan, Bicameral Effort to Expand Digital Skills in Workforce Training

benton — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 15:22:11 +0000

Representative Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07), Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Representative David Valadao (R-CA-22) introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to expand access to digital skills training for American job seekers. The Digital Skills for Today’s Workforce Act would amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to establish a new “Digital Skills at Work” grant program to expand digital skills training within postsecondary education, adult education, and workforce development systems. This legislation would make specific, targeted investments in digital skills training to help Americans seeking jobs or upskilling opportunities and Americans with barriers to employment learn or build digital skills. Additionally, this bill would advance access to good-paying jobs and support the development of digitally resilient education and workforce systems. Specifically, the Digital Skills for Today’s Workforce Act would:

Create digital skills training programs. This legislation would create formula funding grants for states based on a combination of population, number of working-age residents, and number of residents with low digital literacy skills (determined by educational attainment, earnings, and limited English proficiency).
Increase digital equity. This bill would creative competitive grants for localities and organizations based on how the funds will be used and the populations that will receive services, including individuals with barriers to employment and historically underrepresented populations.
Require performance accountability. This legislation would require states, localities, and organizations that receive a grant under this bill to report their awards publicly

Benton Content:

https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/spanberger-kaine-valadao-lead-bipart…

Teaser:

The Digital Skills for Today’s Workforce Act

Source:

US Senate

Send date:

Fri, 04/19/2024

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 4/18/2024

DD Publish Status:

Not Available

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Publish Date:

Thu, 04/18/2024

Coverage Type:

S.3565, A bill to appropriate funds for the Affordable Connectivity Program, now has 5 cosponsors (US Senate)

benton — Wed, 10 Apr 2024 15:04:54 +0000

Links:

S.3565, A bill to appropriate funds for the Affordable Connectivity Program, now has 5 cosponsors

Offsite url:

Open offsite URL

Source:

US Senate

DD Publish Status:

Not Available

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 4/10/2024

Commerce Committee Chairs Cantwell, McMorris Rodgers Unveil Historic Draft Comprehensive Data Privacy Legislation

zwalker@benton.org — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 13:20:14 +0000

Senate Commerce Committee Chairwoman Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and House Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris (R-WA) unveiled the American Privacy Rights Act. This comprehensive draft legislation sets clear, national data privacy rights and protections for Americans, eliminates the existing patchwork of state comprehensive data privacy laws and establishes robust enforcement mechanisms to hold violators accountable, including a private right of action for individuals. The American Privacy Rights Act:

Establishes Foundational Uniform National Data Privacy Rights for Americans
Gives Americans the Ability to Enforce Their Data Privacy Rights
Protects Americans’ Civil Rights
Holds Companies Accountable and Establishes Strong Data Security Obligations
Focuses on the Business of Data, Not Mainstreet Business

Benton Content:

https://www.commerce.senate.gov/2024/4/committee-chairs-cantwell-mcmorris-rodger…

Teaser:

The American Privacy Rights Act gives Americans fundamental, enforceable data privacy rights, puts people in control of their own data and eliminates the patchwork of state law

Source:

US Senate

Send date:

Tue, 04/09/2024

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 4/8/2024

DD Publish Status:

Not Available

Include summary in newsletter email:

Publish Date:

Mon, 04/08/2024

Coverage Type: