Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Republican Leader Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Mike Doyle (D-PA), and Communications and Technology Republican Leader Bob Latta (R-OH) issued the following joint statement today calling on the Senate to pass the Spectrum Innovation Act, which will help improve American technological leadership and strengthen public safety and national security:
“Access to adequate spectrum is crucial for the devices that we have all grown to depend upon in our everyday lives — from mobile telephone service and navigation and delivery applications, to telehealth services and connected devices. That’s why, in July, the House overwhelmingly passed the bipartisan Spectrum Innovation Act, which would extend the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) spectrum auction authority for 18 months. This crucial bill gives Congress time to build consensus on a clear path forward to make more spectrum available for commercial use, while at the same time ensuring the FCC has the authority to continue its spectrum auction work without disruption. It also fixes the process for making the lower 3 GHz band available for auction and funds important initiatives, including Next Generation 9-1-1 and the FCC’s rip and replace program to rid Huawei from our nation’s communications networks.
“The Continuing Resolution passed today includes a short-term extension of the FCC’s general auction authority until December 16, 2022. This provides enough time for the Senate to act and pass the Spectrum Innovation Act. Building consensus around a new spectrum pipeline should not be rushed, and the Spectrum Innovation Act ensures Congress has time to do its work to build a spectrum pipeline. We must secure U.S. technological leadership, and so we urge the Senate to immediately pass this bill and send it to the President’s desk.”
The Spectrum Innovation Act passed overwhelmingly out of the House on July 27, 2022, after thorough vetting by members and robust stakeholder engagement. The Subcommittee on Communications and Technology held two hearings to evaluate the legislation beginning in March 2022. Based on stakeholder feedback and bipartisan discussions, the legislation was amended in both the Subcommittee and Full Committee markups, where it passed unanimously both times. As a result of this rigorous process, the Spectrum Innovation Act passed on the House floor with a strong bipartisan vote.
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