Benton Institute for Broadband & Society - House Commerce Committee

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Thu, 04/25/2024

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Daily Digest 4/24/2024

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Digital Content

Federal Communications Commission

Internet/Broadband

Regulatory classification

Communications Act of 1934

Telecommunications Act of 1996

https://energycommerce.house.gov/posts/chair-rodgers-announces-changes-to-e-and-…

Chair Rodgers Announces Changes to House Commerce Committee Republican Subcommittee Assignments

benton — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 14:41:02 +0000

House Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rogers (R-WA) updated Republican Members’ subcommittee assignments including:

Rep. Randy Weber (R-TX) will serve as Vice Chair of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
Rep. Troy Balderson (R-OH) will join the Subcommittee on Health and leave the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
Rep. Marianette Miller Meeks (R-IA) will join the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

Subcommittee on Communications and Technology Republican roster:

Chair Bob Latta (OH-05)
Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12)
Rep. Tim Walberg (MI-05)
Rep. Buddy Carter (GA-01)
Rep. Neal Dunn (FL-02)
Rep. John Curtis (UT-03)
Rep. John Joyce (PA-13)
Rep. Randy Weber (TX-14), Vice Chair
Rep. Rick Allen (GA-12)
Rep. Russ Fulcher (ID-01)
Rep. August Pfluger (TX-11)
Rep. Diana Harshbarger (TN-01)
Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01)
Rep. Kat Cammack (FL-03)
Rep. Jay Obernolte (CA-23)
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05), Ex Officio

Benton Content:

Teaser:

Comings, goings, and a new vice chair for the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

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https://democrats-energycommerce.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/democrats-energyco…

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Fri, 04/12/2024

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Daily Digest 4/11/2024

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Access to internet service is meaningless to consumers if the cost of signing up is a barrier

benton — Tue, 26 Mar 2024 17:24:53 +0000

We write in support of your ongoing focus on internet affordability as you work to administer the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program enacted in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. For years, Democrats and Republicans expressed concern over the digital divide, and the $42 billion investment in the BEAD Program gives us a real opportunity to finally bridge this divide and connect every American to high-speed, reliable, and affordable internet. As recently as 2021, just before enactment of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, research indicated that one quarter of the U.S. population (about 80 million Americans) were on the wrong side of digital opportunity because they lacked a reliable, high-speed internet connection.... We urge you to continue to prioritize affordability in your administration of this bipartisan program and look forward to seeing it connect people in all communities across America to affordable, reliable internet service.

Benton Content:

Teaser:

Letter to National Telecommunications and Information Administration Administrator Alan Davidson

Source:

Rep Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX)

Author:

Rep Frank Pallone (D-NJ)

Rep Doris Matsui (D-CA)

Rep Yvette Clarke (D-NY)

Rep Marc Veasey (D-TX)

Rep Darren Soto (D-FL)

Rep Anna Eshoo (D-CA)

Rep Tony Cárdenas (D-CA)

Rep Angie Craig (D-MN)

Rep Debbie Dingell (D-MI)

Rep Ann McLane Kuster (D-NH)

Rep Robin Kelly (D-IL)

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Wed, 03/27/2024

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Daily Digest 3/26/2024

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Tue, 03/26/2024

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https://d1dth6e84htgma.cloudfront.net/12_15_23_Letter_to_NTIA_re_Rate_Regulation…

House Commerce Committee Republicans to NTIA: By Allowing States to Regulate Broadband Rates, NTIA is Ignoring Congressional Intent

benton — Tue, 19 Dec 2023 18:28:11 +0000

We write in response to your testimony at the December 5, 2023, hearing held by the House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology titled, “Oversight of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).” Throughout the hearing, you provided troubling answers that suggested that the NTIA would permit rate regulation by states participating in the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. These answers are concerning, as they suggest that the NTIA is administering this program in violation of the law. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which created the BEAD Program, explicitly prohibits the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and the NTIA from “regulat[ing] the rates charged for broadband service.” Based on your testimony, it appears that you are planning to ignore this Congressional direction. Although your testimony reaffirmed that NTIA itself would not engage in rate regulation, you did not foreclose approval of state plans that regulated rates of broadband service. Indeed, when directly asked, “Will NTIA permit a state to rate regulate, yes or no,” you did not provide a yes or no answer and instead stated that NTIA would give states flexibility on how to approach this issue. This “flexibility” to pursue rate regulation is not only concerning, but is strictly prohibited. We ask that you confirm whether NTIA will approve state plans that include rate regulation, as defined in this letter. If NTIA plans to approve these plans, we also ask that you provide an explanation of why you and the Biden Administration are ignoring the IIJA. We look forward to your response no later than January 12, 2024.

Benton Content:

Teaser:

“The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which created the BEAD Program, explicitly prohibits the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and the NTIA from ‘regulat[ing] the rates charged for broadband service.’"

Source:

Author:

Rep Gus Bilirakis (R-FL)

Rep Tim Walberg (R-MI)

Send date:

Wed, 12/20/2023

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Daily Digest 12/19/2023

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Publish Date:

Tue, 12/19/2023

Coverage Type:

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

Federal Broadband Programs

Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program

Internet/Broadband

Infrastructure

Affordability/Cost/Price

Universal Broadband

Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability (DATA) Act

Individuals who primarily Reside in a Rural Area

State

Marginalized Populations

House Commerce Committee Republicans to FCC Chair Rosenworcel: “The Net Neutrality Debate was Settled When the Internet Didn’t Break”

benton — Tue, 17 Oct 2023 22:59:14 +0000

We write to express our disappointment and opposition to your announcement that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will vote to reclassify fixed and mobile broadband as a telecommunications service under Title II of the Communications Act of 1934. Not only is this bad public policy, but it is also unlawful. Reclassification and the associated heavy-handed regulations that accompany this action continues to be a solution in search of a problem. We seek the following information by October 31, 2023:

When did the FCC begin drafting the Safeguarding and Securing the Open Internet Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM)? Please also provide each draft considered by your office and the Chief of the Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB).
- a. Please provide the date and time that you shared the Safeguarding and Securing the Open Internet NPRM with each commissioner.
Which FCC employees, officials, or contractors participated in drafting the NPRM? Please provide their names and job titles.
Provide any FCC work product (emails, memos, documents, other written communications), including from the Office of General Counsel (OGC), raising potential legal or litigation concerns stemming from the NPRM.
Has the FCC conducted an economic analysis of this proposal? If so, please provide that analysis.
5. Did anyone at the FCC discuss reclassification of broadband with the Executive Office of the President (EOP) before your September 26, 2023, announcement? If so, who from the FCC and EOP, and when? Please provide their names and job titles.
Which interest groups and stakeholders have met with your office or the WCB to discuss reclassification of broadband prior to your September 26, 2023, announcement?
- a. Did any of these groups receive any funds from the Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant Program? If so, please provide the name of the group and the amount of funding provided through the grant program.
Has the FCC received any formal complaints about broadband providers engaging in the blocking, throttling, and paid prioritization that you seek to prohibit? If so, please provide those complaints.
Do you commit to not regulate rates for broadband service either ex ante or ex post?
Do you agree with statements made by third parties that, “If we don’t save net neutrality, you’ll get the internet one word at a time” and that enacting the Restoring Internet Freedom Order would cause the “end of the internet as we know it”?
- a. Have these predictions come true?
- b. Did anything change with the Internet’s performance following the adoption of the Restoring Internet Freedom Order?
Do you agree that our nation’s broadband networks withstood the challenge of increased usage during the Covid-19 pandemic without reclassifying broadband under Title II?
You concluded your dissent in the 2017 Restoring Internet Freedom Order by stating “So let’s persist. Let’s fight. Let’s not stop here or now. It’s too important. The future depends on it.” That same day, FCC headquarters received a bomb threat and, days later, then-FCC Chairman Pai received a death threat. Do you believe your rhetoric and the rhetoric of your allies contributed to these acts?
- a. Will you commit to using tamer and less hyperbolic language when discussing this proceeding?
- b. Will you commit to disavowing any similar language used by supporters of your proposed actions?

Benton Content:

https://d1dth6e84htgma.cloudfront.net/FINAL_Letter_to_FCC_re_Title_II_Reclassifi…

Teaser:

11 questions about net neutrality and Title II

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Wed, 10/18/2023

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Daily Digest 10/17/2023

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Tue, 10/17/2023

Coverage Type:

Federal Communications Commission

Government & Communications

Communications Act of 1934

Telecommunications Act of 1996

https://d1dth6e84htgma.cloudfront.net/Letter_to_NTIA_re_State_Plans_FINAL_01ef8f…

Chairs Rodgers and Latta Call on NTIA Administrator to Prioritize Closing the Digital Divide and Connecting Every American

benton — Fri, 13 Oct 2023 22:46:29 +0000

In 2021, Congress provided $65 billion to close the digital divide. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is responsible for administering most of this money, including the $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, which will provide states grant money to award providers to deploy broadband networks in unserved and underserved areas. We are concerned about state plans that propose to use funds in ways that will not provide universal connectivity or that are contrary to law. We are also concerned by some efforts by states to regulate the cost of broadband plans. Virginia, for example, asks providers to keep the cost of gigabit symmetrical service “at or below $100 per month, inclusive of all taxes, fees, and charges billed to the customer,” in order to receive full credit for affordability under its scoring system. Louisiana includes a similar requirement. Affordable broadband is important, but setting rates is not the way to achieve this goal.

Benton Content:

Teaser:

"We ask that you affirm in writing your commitment that you will not approve a state plan that does not achieve universal connectivity using its BEAD allocation or a state plan that sets rates for broadband plans."

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Mon, 10/16/2023

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 10/13/2023

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Fri, 10/13/2023

Coverage Type:

Digital Divide

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

Federal Broadband Programs

Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program

Internet/Broadband

Infrastructure

Affordability/Cost/Price

Universal Broadband

Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

https://d1dth6e84htgma.cloudfront.net/09_21_23_C_and_T_Hearing_Memo_1_50b4614507…

State

Majority Staff Memo | Connecting Every American: The Future of Rural Broadband Funding

benton — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 16:40:29 +0000

According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), 8.3 million households lack access to high-speed broadband. Providing universal access to communications service—initially voice service and now broadband—has always been a challenge in the United States. Although connecting urban, populated areas is relatively easy, serving sparsely populated rural areas is difficult due to differences in terrain and population density. To address this digital divide, Congress has tasked multiple agencies—primarily the FCC, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), and Department of Agriculture (USDA)—with providing financial support to aid the deployment of communications technology to unserved areas. According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), there are more than 130 federal programs—administered by 15 agencies—that could be used to expand these services. The Sept 21 Communications and Technology Subcommittee hearing is an opportunity to examine the effectiveness of the federal funding programs and consider how they should operate in the future. Topics include: 1) the FCC's Universal Service Fund; 2) COVID-related programs including Covid-19 Telehealth, the Emergency Broadband Benefit/Affordable Connectivity Program, and Emergency Connectivity Fund; and 3) Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) programs including the Broadband Infrastructure Deployment (BEAD) Program.

Benton Content:

Teaser:

Background memo for Sept 21 hearing

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Send date:

Thu, 09/21/2023

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Daily Digest 9/20/2023

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Wed, 09/20/2023

Coverage Type:

Analysis

Community Anchor Institutions

Upcoming event

Libraries

Schools/Universities

Digital Equity/Digital Inclusion

Digital Divide

Federal Communications Commission

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

Federal Broadband Programs

Affordable Connectivity Program (was Emergency Broadband Benefit Program)

Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program

Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program

Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program

Government & Communications

Gov performance

Health and Media

Health Information Technology

Affordability/Cost/Price

Adoption

Universal Broadband

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)

Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability (DATA) Act

Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act)

Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

Telecommunications Act of 1996

Individuals who primarily Reside in a Rural Area

Marginalized Populations

Low-income

Universal Service Fund

Rural Health Care

Rural Digital Opportunity Fund

Lifeline/Low-Income Consumers

E-rate/Schools and Libraries Program

Headlines Specific Topic:

Coronavirus and Connectivity

House Commerce Committee Advances Bills

benton — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 18:06:04 +0000

In a Full Committee markup, the House Commerce Committee advanced six bills including:

H.R. 3385, the Diaspora Link Act, led by Rep. Plaskett, was forwarded to the Full House, as amended, by a roll call vote of 41 to 0.
H.R. 3369, AI Accountability Act, led by Rep. Harder was forwarded to the Full House, as amended, by a roll call vote of 50 to 0.
H.R. 4510, the NTIA Reauthorization Act of 2023, led by Rep. Latta was forwarded to the Full House, as amended by a roll call vote of 48 to 0.

Benton Content:

https://energycommerce.house.gov/posts/full-committee-markup-recap-e-and-c-advan…

Teaser:

Commerce Committee advances the NTIA Reauthorization Act

Source:

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

Send date:

Sat, 07/29/2023

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Daily Digest 7/28/2023

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Mon, 07/31/2023

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House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology Advances Bills to Reauthorize NTIA

benton — Wed, 12 Jul 2023 21:08:24 +0000

The House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology advanced legislation to reauthorize the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and ensure the agency is advancing American leadership in the telecommunications sector. Approved bills include:

H.R. 4510, NTIA Reauthorization Act of 2023, led by Reps. Bob Latta and Doris Matsui, was forwarded, without amendment, to the Full Committee by voice vote.
H.R. 3430, Spectrum Relocation Enhancement Act, led by Reps. Doris Matsui and Randy Weber, was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by voice vote.
H.R. 3385, Diaspora Link Act, led by Reps. Stacey Plaskett and Russ Fulcher, was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by voice vote.
H.R. 3369, AI Accountability Act, led by Rep. Josh Harder, was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by voice vote.

Benton Content:

https://energycommerce.house.gov/posts/subcommittee-markup-wrap-up-e-and-c-repub…

Teaser:

The NTIA Reauthorization Act of 2023 and other bills

Source:

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

Send date:

Thu, 07/13/2023

Daily Digest:

Daily Digest 7/12/2023

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Wed, 07/12/2023

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https://energycommerce.house.gov/posts/c-and-t-subcommittee-chair-latta-to-fcc-c…

Subcommittee Chair Latta to FCC: “Closing the Digital Divide is a Key Priority for this Committee”

dclay@benton.org — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 22:06:36 +0000

The FCC's Mission: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is an independent agency charged by Congress to regulate interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable. Among its responsibilities include administering the Universal Service Fund (USF), holding spectrum auctions, and regulating broadcast licensees. Closing the digital divide is a key priority for this Committee. [In May 2023], the FCC released an updated version of its National Broadband Map, which showed that 8.3 million homes and businesses still lack access to high-speed broadband. This map, produced in accordance with a bill I led, the Broadband DATA Act, is significantly better than previous maps. But concerns with the ‘pre-production’ draft that overstated coverage in some areas and missed communities in others highlight the need for oversight of this effort. With the amount of money at stake, we need confidence these maps are as accurate as possible so states get the right allocation to connect all their unserved and underserved residents.
The Future of the USF: The FCC administers the USF, the [Affordable Connectivity Program] ACP, and the [Emergency Connectivity Fund] ECF programs. Congress’ significant investment in broadband raises questions about the future of the USF. Unfortunately, we also know these programs are ripe with waste, fraud, and abuse. The FCC Inspector General has issued two advisories related to enrollment fraud in ACP and its predecessor program, the Emergency Broadband Benefit, two programs created in response to the COVID pandemic. And earlier this year, the Government Accountability Office found the FCC did not have adequate antifraud controls for the program. I hope the Commission takes these findings seriously and implements the right oversight and controls to prevent additional fraud from taking place.
Fully Funding Programs to Remove Unsecure Equipment: Finally, we need to fully fund the Supply Chain Reimbursement, or ‘Rip-and-Replace' Program, which Congress created to help small providers remove unsecure equipment from their networks. Providers are required to begin removing this equipment by July 15 [2023] and they need the certainty they can get reimbursed for this effort. This is a serious problem for rural America. Without these funds, small carriers could be forced to shut down their networks, leaving their customers without a connection.

Benton Content:

Teaser:

House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology Chair Bob Latta highlights the mission of the FCC, the USF, and broadband equipment in hearing with the agency.

Source:

Author: