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TikTok is a threat to our children’s well-being and our national security by design Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Subcommittee on Communications and Technology Chair Bob Latta (R-OH) released the following statement after new reporting confirms that TikTok executives know its platform is harmful for children. “Reporting confirms that TikTok executives know what Congress has known for years: TikTok is a threat to our children’s well-being and our national security by design. It’s unsurprising that TikTok would attempt to hide the truth from parents and users about the platform’s intentionally addictive nature, especially considering TikTok has refused to be honest about its ties to the Chinese Communist Party. This is why the Energy and Commerce Committee acted swiftly to pass the bipartisan Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which is now law in the United States. The days of TikTok further manipulating and exploiting its users are numbered.”  CLICK HERE to read more about H.R. 7521, the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act.   H.R. 7521 gives TikTok a clear choice : Separate from its parent company ByteDance—which is beholden to the CCP—and remain operational in the United States, or side with the CCP and face the consequences. 

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), as well as Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chair Bob Latta (R-OH) and Ranking Member Doris Matsui (D-CA),  sent letter s to AT&T , Verizon , and Lumen demanding answers and requesting a briefing following breaches of their communications networks by hackers tied to the Chinese government. Reporting from the  Wall Street Journal  revealed the cyberattack was focused on intelligence collection and may have accessed U.S. wiretapping requests.  KEY LETTER QUOTE :   “We are concerned by the recent reports of a massive breach of AT&T, Verizon, and Lumen’s communications networks by Chinese hackers. These types of breaches are increasing in frequency and severity, and there is a growing concern regarding the cybersecurity vulnerabilities embedded in U.S. telecommunications networks. The Committee needs to understand better how this incident occurred and what steps your company is taking to prevent future service disruptions and secure your customers’ data.” BACKGROUND :   On October 5th,  The Wall Street Journal  reported U.S. broadband providers were breached by a Chinese government-tied hacker organization. The attack appears to be geared towards intelligence collection, and Chinese hackers potentially accessed vulnerable information, including court-authorized network wiretapping requests and internet traffic. AT&T, Verizon, and Lumen are among the U.S. broadband providers breached. According to the  Wall Street Journal , “The widespread compromise is considered a potentially catastrophic security breach and was carried out by a sophisticated Chinese hacking group dubbed Salt Typhoon.” CLICK HERE to read the letter to AT&T. CLICK HERE to read the letter to Verizon. CLICK HERE to read the letter to Lumen.

Soros-linked fund to acquire more than 200 local radio stations weeks before election Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) led 40 of her Republican colleagues in demanding answers from the Chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding her recent decision to fast-track a media deal allowing the Fund for Policy Reform, a group aligned with Democratic mega-donor George Soros, to buy over 200 radio stations just weeks before the 2024 election. With a party line vote of 3-2, the decision at the Commission level by the Democratic members of the FCC to temporarily waive the required national security review and allow excessive foreign ownership of American radio stations is deeply disturbing. KEY LETTER EXCERPT: “It is highly concerning that the FCC did not follow regular order for a transaction of this magnitude. Licensees and investors need certainty that the FCC will follow its rules and procedures when approving transactions so that the broadcast industry can have the resources it needs to continue serving the public.”  BACKGROUND: Audacy, Inc., a radio broadcasting group, which owns more than 200 radio-station licenses, filed for bankruptcy earlier this year.  Audacy’s filings revealed that a George Soros-backed group known as the Fund for Policy Reform had acquired at least 40 percent of Audacy’s debt.   Audacy estimated that, upon emerging from bankruptcy, 25 percent or more of its stock would be indirectly foreign owned, which triggers FCC review.   This review process requires national security agencies to review the transaction and offer any policy or national security concerns.   On September 30, 2024, the FCC released an Order granting a temporary waiver of this review process, delaying a national security review until after the bankruptcy process is complete and allowing foreign control of a significant number of radio stations across the entire United States, weeks before a national election. CLICK HERE to read Breitbart's exclusive coverage. CLICK HERE to read the full letter.

Washington, D.C. — The House of Representatives passed two bills from the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology. The bills, which passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, will enhance cutting-edge American innovation. Upon passage, Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) released the following statement: “America must remain the leader in cutting-edge technology. The FUTURE Networks Act and the Launch Communications Act will promote American advancements in 6G and streamline regulations to further unleash the potential of satellite technology. I thank the sponsors for their hard work and leadership on these bipartisan, commonsense bills.” NOTE: H.R. 1513, the FUTURE Networks Act, led by Reps. Matsui and Walberg, passed the House by a vote of 393 - 22. S. 1648, the Launch Communications Act, led by Sen. Schmitt in the Senate and Reps. Soto and Dunn in the House, passed the House unanimously.

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology Chair Bob Latta (R-OH) delivered the following opening remarks at today’s hearing titled “From Introduction to Implementation: A BEAD Program Progress Report.”  CHALLENGES TO BEAD IMPLEMENTATION “Almost three years have passed since the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) became law.   “This legislation appropriated $42.5 billion to the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to deploy broadband infrastructure to unserved and underserved homes and businesses.   “While this investment in broadband infrastructure to rural communities is a worthy cause, I am concerned with the implementation of the BEAD program.   “First, this program was created outside of regular order, and therefore lacks appropriate provisions to safeguard these taxpayer dollars.   “There was no discussion of whether $42 billion is the right amount to connect every American or debate on how this program should be administered.   “The infrastructure bill was also a missed opportunity to enact meaningful permitting reform that would have broken down barriers to deployment and stretched this federal funding further.   “I am further concerned with how the Biden-Harris Administration is running the program.”  NTIA’S CONFUSING REQUIREMENTS   “NTIA continues to add requirements that are contrary to Congressional intent and make this program less attractive and more expensive to the broadband providers needed to deploy to unserved and underserved communities.   “These actions include adopting price controls for certain broadband plans, preferring certain technologies over others, and adding burdensome and unnecessary workforce and climate requirements.   “We have raised these concerns with NTIA at numerous oversight hearings and in letters to the agency. I fear that these burdensome requirements are delaying approval of state initial proposals and will jeopardize the success of the grant program.  “I am also concerned about impending workforce and supply chain shortages.   “Getting the workers, bucket trucks, and other materials needed to deploy broadband will be challenging with 56 states and territories chasing the same supply chain and workforce at the same time.   “This will lead to shortages and higher prices that will eat up money and time needed for deployment, undermining the success of this program.”  IMPORTANT CORRECTIONS FROM NTIA   “Fortunately, NTIA has listened to some of our feedback.   “Two weeks ago, NTIA sought comment on how states can use alternative technologies, such as unlicensed fixed wireless and low-earth orbit satellites, to serve our most remote areas.   “Although these technologies should have been permitted from the start, I am pleased that NTIA has finally realized that it will take all available technologies to bridge the digital divide. I hope that NTIA makes similar changes to address the other concerns we have raised.   “Before I conclude, I want to mention the Universal Service Fund working group and efforts to revive the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), as I know my colleagues on the other side will likely raise it.   “I am committed to finding a long-term solution to address broadband affordability. “However, ACP must be reformed to ensure that it is targeted towards those who truly need the subsidy to pay for broadband, and it must have a sustainable funding source. “Relying solely on stopgap funding leads to uncertainty for those who rely on the program.   “I am actively working on a solution with my colleagues in the bipartisan, bicameral Universal Service Fund Working Group, along with the Ranking Member of this subcommittee. “Time is running short this Congress, but I hope we can reach an agreement on this important issue.   “Closing the digital divide is a bipartisan priority and significant federal resources have been dedicated to this effort.   “Today’s hearing is an opportunity to discuss the NTIA’s administration of the BEAD program from the perspective of those on the ground—the states and broadband providers that will do the work of deploying broadband our unserved and underserved communities.” 

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) delivered the following opening remarks at today’s Communications and Technology Subcommittee hearing titled “From Introduction to Implementation: A BEAD Program Progress Report.” “Broadband connectivity is critical to our everyday life and winning the future. Its what connects our work, schools, businesses, hospitals, and more. “Broadband helps create opportunity—opportunity to spur growth, learn, and foster relationships—an opportunity that many rural Americans have lacked for far too long. “Today’s hearing is part of the Energy and Commerce Committee’s continued efforts to close the digital divide through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program, or BEAD. “In this Congress alone, we’ve heard from NTIA Assistant Secretary Alan Davidson three times, advanced major legislation that would address barriers to broadband permitting, and, recently, opened an investigation into NTIA’s lack of transparency and unlawful actions in implementing the BEAD program.” CONCERNS WITH NTIA’S ADMINISTRATION OF BEAD “Republicans on this Committee have been vocal about our concern that NTIA’s self-imposed guidelines for BEAD will undermine the program’s success, leading to wasted tax dollars while leaving Americans without the broadband access they need to succeed in their everyday life. “Unfortunately, NTIA has only furthered our concerns by taking actions that will lead to increased costs and longer timelines for broadband deployment. “NTIA’s decision to pressure states to regulate the rates charged for broadband service—despite the law strictly prohibiting rate regulation—will make this program less attractive to the providers needed to participate for BEAD’s success. “NTIA is also using the program to push a radical agenda with unnecessary workforce and climate-related requirements which will make this program more expensive to operate, diverting important dollars that should be used to connect more Americans. “NTIA has spent two years pushing an expensive fiber-first agenda, violating the law’s requirement to use a technology-neutral approach, and making deployment cost prohibitive in many unserved communities, especially in areas like those in parts of my district in Eastern Washington. “NTIA, to its credit, seems to finally be showing an openness to alternative technologies like unlicensed fixed wireless and low Earth-orbit satellite, something that Republicans have asked for since this program began, but by failing to do this from the beginning they have wasted time and money, which only results in fewer Americans getting connected.” DELAYS, DELAYS, DELAYS “While the statute laid out certain timing requirements for the BEAD program, I continue to hear about unnecessary delays in NTIA’s approval process. “Burdensome red tape that NTIA added to the program has made compliance by states much more difficult. “It has been nearly 14 months since states received their initial allocations from NTIA, yet the administration still has not approved 16 initial state proposals. “Vice President Harris was tasked by President Biden to be the Broadband Czar, which has resulted in little progress and heavy-handed federal bureaucracy. “That’s why we are having today’s hearing—to hear from those on the ground, the states and providers—and understand how Congress can ensure this program achieves its goal of connecting every American. “Today is the first time we’ve had representatives from the states and providers, those who will actually make the goals of BEAD a reality, before the Committee since the program was created, and I am excited to hear from our expert witnesses about their experience so far and to discuss what still needs to be done to ensure we are successful in achieving our mission. “Everyone here today wants BEAD to succeed, which is why Congressional oversight of the program is critical. “Our mission remains that every American be connected, and we will stay vigilant in fulfilling that commitment to the American people.”

Washington D.C. — The House of Representatives passed three bills from the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology. The bills, which passed with bipartisan support, will strengthen America’s technological leadership and reduce our reliance on China. Upon passage, Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) released the following statement: “China is America’s greatest adversary and poses significant risk to our national and economic security. Today, the House of Representatives took action on three pieces of legislation to advance American competitiveness and global technological leadership, ensuring that America—not China—is setting the rules of the road for the technologies of tomorrow,” said Chair Rodgers. “I thank Reps. Latta, Peltola, Stefanik, and Khanna for their important work to bolster U.S. leadership, protect our national security, and beat China.” NOTE: H.R. 7589, the ROUTERS Act , led by Reps. Latta and Peltola, passed the House by voice vote. H.R. 820, the Foreign Adversary Communications Transparency Act , led by Reps. Stefanik and Khanna, passed the House by voice vote. H.R. 2864, the Countering CCP Drones Act , led by Rep. Stefanik, passed the House by voice vote.

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chair Bob Latta (R-OH) today announced a hearing titled “From Introduction to Implementation: A BEAD Program Progress Report.” “The BEAD program was created to ensure that all Americans—specifically those in unserved areas—have access to broadband. In order for the program to succeed and to close the digital divide, Congress must closely monitor NTIA’s implementation of the program and have an open line of communication with the states, providers, and other key stakeholders that are carrying out the program,” said Chairs Rodgers and Latta. “This hearing will serve as an opportunity to hear about how the implementation of the program is going, better understand the impact of NTIA’s rules, and what to expect going forward as states begin to award funds. It’s essential that each state be given the ability to develop broadband plans that meet its specific needs, encourages participation by providers, and connects all Americans with reliable broadband services as Congress intended.” Subcommittee on Communications and Technology hearing titled “From Introduction to Implementation: A BEAD Program Progress Report.” WHAT: A subcommittee hearing to evaluate the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) implementation of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. DATE: Tuesday, September 10, 2024 TIME: 10:30 AM ET LOCATION: 2322 Rayburn House Office Building This notice is at the direction of the Chair. The hearing will be open to the public and press and will be live streamed online at https://energycommerce.house.gov . If you have any questions concerning the hearing, please contact Noah Jackson at noah.jackson@mail.house.gov . If you have any press-related questions, please contact Kate Roberts at kate.arey@mail.house.gov .  

Washington, D.C. — In a new letter to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Subcommittee on Communications and Technology Chair Bob Latta (R-OH), and Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chair Morgan Griffith (R-VA) requested information about the agency’s internet domain name registry agreement with Verisign, Inc. (Verisign). BACKGROUND :  The NTIA represents the United States government on the Governmental Advisory Committee of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the multi-stakeholder, not-for-profit entity that was founded in 1998 to coordinate the Internet domain name system, among other Internet management-related activities. Since 2001, Verisign has operated the .com and .net domain name registries.   Verisign manages the .com registry under two agreements—a .com Registry Agreement between ICANN and Verisign and a Cooperative Agreement between the NTIA and Verisign.  Both of these agreements are in place through November 30, 2024.  As the expiration dates of these agreements approach, some have suggested that the NTIA should reassess certain aspects of both agreements.   Under the Cooperative Agreement’s terms, it will automatically renew on November 30, 2024, unless Verisign provides written notice of non-renewal within 120 days of its expiration.   The Department of Justice has previously recommended ICANN hold a competitive bidding process for renewals of registry agreements.   The current agreement, as amended, has allowed Verisign, with ICANN’s agreement, in each of the last four years of every six-year contract period, to increase the maximum price Verisign charges for yearly registration or renewal of a .com name by up to seven percent over the maximum price it charged in the previous year.   Verisign has since instituted a price increase of the maximum amount in every year it was allowed to do so.   KEY LETTER EXCERPT :  “With both a role in advising ICANN and as a party to the Cooperative Agreement, the NTIA bears responsibility for supporting a domain name system that enables the growth of online commerce. Both individual consumers and businesses depend on responsible management of the .com system. Monopolistic elements and excessive domain name price increases stifle the ability of potential .com registrants to conduct business online.  “As such, we seek more information about the NTIA’s process in considering the renewal of both the Registry Agreement and the Cooperative Agreement.”  CLICK HERE to read the letter.