Washington, DC - Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Greg Walden (R-OR) and Communications and Technology Subcommittee Republican Leader Bob Latta (R-OH) released a statement after the House passed three communications and technology bills that were reported favorably from the Energy and Commerce Committee.
“The COVID-19 pandemic put a much-needed focus on the need to ensure all Americans are connected, especially during times of emergency, and that our networks are secure. The bipartisan bills passed today help accomplish these goals by investing in our communications infrastructure, promoting secure technology development, and ensuring preparedness for future emergencies. We thank our colleagues for coming together to pass these bipartisan bills and urge the Senate to take swift action," said Walden and Latta.
Today, the House passed the following bills:
* The Reliable Emergency Alert Distribution Improvement (READI) Act of 2020 (R. 6096 ), by Reps. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Pete Olson (R-TX), Jerry McNerney (D-CA), and Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), which updates how Americans receive emergency alerts through wireless and broadcast emergency alert systems;
* The Utilizing Strategic Allied (USA) Telecommunications Act (R. 6624 ), by Rep. Walden (R-OR), Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Republican Leader Brett Guthrie (R-KY), Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), and Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA), which would promote competitive and secure 5G equipment; and,
* The Spectrum IT Modernization Act (R. 7310 ), by Rep. Latta (R-OH), Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chair Mike Doyle (D-PA), and Reps. Walberg (R-MI) and Rick Larsen (D-WA), which would help boost our federal information technology systems at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
