Washington, DC - Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Greg Walden (R-OR) and Communications and Technology Subcommittee Republican Leader Bob Latta (R-OH) released the following statement following the House passage of four bipartisan communications and technology bills.
“From creating a national suicide and mental health hotline to ensuring the resiliency of our 9-1-1 system, these bipartisan bills make important strides to improve the communications resources for all Americans. 21st century problems require 21st century solutions, and today’s bills take steps toward preparing communities for issues that may come their way. We thank our House colleagues for coming together to pass these bills, and we urge the Senate to take swift action," said Walden and Latta.
This week, the House passed:
* The MEDIA Diversity Act (R. 5567 ), introduced by Reps. Billy Long (R-MO), Mark Veasey (D-TX), and Bill Flores (R-TX), which would ensure the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) examines entry barriers for socially disadvantaged individuals and their economic impacts;
* The Emergency Reporting Act (R. 5918 ), introduced by Reps. Doris Matsui (D-CA), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Mike Thompson (D-CA), Jared Huffman (D-CA), and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), which would ensure disasters across U.S. communities receive the necessary time and resources from the FCC;
* The Don’t Break up the T-Band Act (R. 451 ) introduced by Reps. Eliot Engel (D-NY) and Lee Zeldin (R-NY), which would ensure oversight of the T-Band spectrum used by public safety entities and includes Energy and Commerce Committee GOP Leader Greg Walden’s FIRST RESPONDER Act ; and,
* The National Suicide Hotline Designation Act ( 2661 ), by Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO), which would require the Federal Communications Commission to designate 9-8-8 as the universal telephone number for a national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline.
