Pallone Opening Remarks at Subcommittee Markup of Six Bipartisan Telecom Bills

Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) delivered the following opening remarks at a Communications and Technology Subcommittee markup of six bipartisan bills today: 

Today the Subcommittee will mark up six bipartisan bills. I am pleased we are marking up H.R. 8255, the Satellite and Telecommunications (SAT) Streamlining Act, bipartisan legislation I introduced with Chairman Guthrie. This bill would reform the satellite licensing process at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for certain satellite applications. To ensure that these systems continue to be built and licensed here in the United States, we must have a reasonable and balanced process to evaluate them, and this legislation provides an important framework for achieving this.  

There is no doubt that satellites have an important role to play in keeping Americans safe and secure. And I expect consumers to rely on satellite technology in the years to come as wireless carriers and phone manufacturers continue to add this capability to their networks and devices. With this technology, if mobile consumers find themselves in an area without cellular service — whether it is because of a lack of coverage, the result of a natural disaster, or some other reason — they will continue to have the ability to reach first responders and loved ones during their time of need.

By simplifying the satellite licensing process, the SAT Streamlining Act will accelerate innovation and strengthen the competitiveness of the United States’ satellite industry on the global stage. This is imperative because other countries, including our foreign adversaries, are making aggressive moves to dominate this industry, which has real consequences for our economic and national security. I am committed to continuing to work with Chairman Guthrie to ensure the licensing process is fair and efficient.

We will also consider H.R. 7294, the AI for Secure Networks Act, led by Representatives Menendez and Pfluger. This legislation is timely, particularly since we have seen what can happen when AI is allowed to operate without any guardrails. It will help us better understand the role AI can play in the security of communications infrastructure so that our network defenses stay ahead of the curve. We must stay on top of new and emerging threats that seek to compromise critical infrastructure, such as our telecommunications networks.  

We are also moving forward with H.R. 9129, the GUARD Act, led by Representatives McClellan and Moolenaar. This legislation applies the framework from my Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act to the rapidly growing market for humanoid and other robotics. 

Even though the FCC recently took steps to provide more scrutiny to all foreign-produced advanced robotics, their process lacks transparency and clarity. The GUARD Act provides some much-needed Congressional oversight of these types of national security decisions. While we must ensure that untrusted suppliers with ties to our adversaries do NOT flood the U.S. market with robotics and other advanced technology and services, we must do so in a manner that makes sense. 

There is also plenty of work left to do to address the incessant robocalls and phone scams that target consumers daily despite all our past work on this issue. I am pleased we are considering H.R. 6152, the Foreign Robocall Elimination Act, as we must continue to take steps to help tackle this serious consumer threat. 

Lastly, I support advancing two bills that build on the Subcommittee’s work to deploy reliable and affordable broadband service across the nation. H.R. 2805 and H.R. 4950 can improve how we manage, track, and carry out federal broadband deployment initiatives as efficiently as possible.  

I appreciate the bipartisan cooperation that went into all these bills, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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