C&T Subcommittee Advances Six Bills to Strengthen Communications Networks and Modernize Satellite Regulations
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, led a markup of six bills to strengthen communications networks and modernize satellite regulations.
“These important pieces of legislation will bolster American leadership in communications, secure our networks from threats, and improve how the federal government gets broadband to those who still need it,” said Chairman Hudson. “I want to thank my colleagues for their continued commitment to these issues and for their work developing these proposals.”
Legislative Vote Summary:
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H.R. 8255, the Satellite and Telecommunications (SAT) Streamlining Act, was forwarded to the Full Committee, by voice vote.
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H.R. 9129, the GUARD Act, was forwarded to the Full Committee, by voice vote.
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H.R. 6152, the Foreign Robocall Elimination Act, was forwarded to the Full Committee, by voice vote.
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H.R. 7294, the AI for Secure Networks Act, was forwarded to the Full Committee, by voice vote.
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H.R. 2805, the PLAN for Broadband Act, was forwarded to the Full Committee, by voice vote.
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H.R. 4950, the Data BRIDGE Act, was forwarded to the Full Committee, by voice vote.
Watch the full markup here.
Below are key excerpts from today's markup:
Congressman Buddy Carter (GA-01): “The federal government has numerous programs working to expand broadband access, but these efforts need to be coordinated effectively if we want to close the digital divide. This bipartisan bill directs NTIA to develop a national strategy to close the digital divide and improve the management and coordination of federal broadband programs and deployment efforts. Connecting every American requires more than simply spending money — we need a clear strategy to ensure federal programs are working together and resources are being deployed effectively.”
Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11): “Recent reporting revealed that millions of attacks were launched against U.S. telecommunications providers in a single year — a double-digit percentage spike that cost billions of dollars in losses worldwide and put Americans' privacy and security at risk. [...] That's why I'm proud to co-lead H.R. 7294, the AI for Secure Networks Act to harness AI to strengthen real-time threat detection, boost resiliency and interoperability, and make our next-generation networks more secure and efficient.”
Congresswoman Erin Houchin (IN-09): “The FCC's National Broadband Map helps determine where federal broadband dollars are invested. That map is currently built on homes and businesses. It says nothing about farmland, so the acres where the farming actually happens go unaccounted for. A farmhouse can register as served, while the fields around it have no usable signal. But the equipment that runs a modern farm — the guidance system, soil sensors, yield monitors, irrigation controls — needs a network out in the field, not the front porch.
“Our bill fixes that without collecting a single new data point. [...] The Data BRIDGE Act is a low-cost, commonsense fix, using data the government already has to make every broadband dollar end up closer to where the work gets done.”
