House of Representatives

Reps. Ro Khanna (D-CA), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Yvette Clarke (D-NY) introduced a bipartisan bill, the Measuring the Economic Impact of Broadband Act, to require the Bureau of Economic Analysis to conduct a study of the effects of broadband deployment and adoption on the U.S. economy. The legislation empowers policymakers to make more informed decisions about broadband, connecting underserved communities and keeping America competitive in a digital world.

Fourteen Members of Congress wrote to the Federal Communications Commission to express concerns about a proposal to cap the Universal Service Fund. They say imposing a cap would unnecessarily cut funding to USF programs and would force each of the programs to compete for funding. They remind the FCC commissioners that the House unanimously voted to prohibit implementation of this proposed rule.

Rep Doris Matsui (D-CA), vice chair of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, released the “WIN 5G Act”. This draft legislation proposes a consensus-based, compromise approach to rapidly and equitably reallocating spectrum between the frequencies of 3.7 GHz-4.2 GHz, commonly referred to as the “C-band”.

Reps. Jerry McNerney (D-CA), John Shimkus (R-IL), Billy Long (R-MO), and Anna Eshoo (D-CA) sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai asking that he move forward soon with a proceeding that takes a fresh look at the 5.9 GHz band. “We write to urge you to move forward with a rulemaking proceeding to take a fresh look at the 5.9 GHz band. Given the increasing demands for spectrum, it is crucial that we use this precious and finite resource in an efficient way,” the Members wrote.

Reps Tim Walberg (R-MI) and Yvette Clarke (D-NY) introduced the TOWER Infrastructure Deployment Act (HR 3255), bipartisan legislation to help close the workforce shortage in the telecommunications industry. HR 3255 reflects the need for a highly-skilled, professional workforce equipped to deploy 5G, lightning-fast broadband networks, and new broadcast technology. The act: 

Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA) sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai requesting the FCC consider a more accurate and reliable approach to mapping broadband availability, particularly in rural areas. Under the FCC’s broadband mapping program, providers of fixed broadband are required to provide a list of all census blocks where fixed broadband service is currently available.

Reps. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) and Collin Peterson (D-MN) introduced the Rural Broadband Network Advancement (RBNA) Act, which would invest in expanding broadband access in rural areas. The bill would establish a new program at the Federal Communications Commission that would collect Network User Fees from edge providers (Netflix, AmazonVideo, etc.) based on the data transported over the last mile of networks. User fees would then be invested by the rural broadband providers to help build, maintain and operate robust broadband networks in high-cost rural areas.

Rep Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) led the introduction of a bipartisan bill to protect next-generation telecommunications systems and mobile infrastructure in the United States. Rep Spanberger introduced the legislation alongside Rep Susan W. Brooks (R-IN), Tom O’Halleran (D-AZ), Francis Rooney (R-FL), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), and Elise Stefanik (R-NY).