Communications & Technology

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, announced a hearing titled Examining Solutions to Expedite Broadband Permitting . “For far too long, cumbersome and expensive permitting regulations at every level of government have stood in the way of connectivity for millions of Americans,” said Chairmen Guthrie and Hudson . “Streamlining the broadband permitting process will help expedite deployment, especially in our nation’s most underserved and rural areas. We look forward to discussing different legislative proposals that will help accomplish this goal so that every American has the opportunity to take part in the digital economy through access to fast, reliable, and secure broadband.”   Subcommittee on Communications and Technology hearing titled Examining Solutions to Expedite Broadband Permitting. WHAT: Subcommittee on Communications and Technology hearing to discuss permitting reform for enhanced connectivity. DATE: Thursday, September 18, 2025 TIME: 2:00 PM ET LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building This hearing will focus on the following bills: H.R.278 , the “BROADBAND Leadership Act” (Rep. Griffith) H.R.339 , the “Broadband Resiliency and Flexible Investment Act” (Rep. Crenshaw) H.R.1343 , the “Federal Broadband Deployment Tracking Act” (Reps. Pfluger and Soto) H.R.1541 , the “Wireless Broadband Competition and Efficient Deployment Act” (Rep. Rulli) H.R.1588 , the “Facilitating DIGITAL Applications Act” (Reps. Miller-Meeks and Dingell) H.R.1617 , the “Wireless Resiliency and Flexible Investment Act of 2025” (Rep. Langworthy) H.R.1655 , the “Wildfire Communications Resiliency Act” (Rep. Bentz) H.R.1665 , the “DIGITAL Applications Act” (Reps. Cammack and Matsui) H.R. 1681 , the “Expediting Federal Broadband Deployment Act” (Rep. Evans and Craig) H.R.1731 , the “Standard FEES Act” (Reps. Palmer and Ryan) H.R.1836 , the “GRANTED Act of 2025” (Rep. Obernolte) H.R.1975 , the “BEAD FEE Act of 2025” (Rep. Allen) H.R.2289 , the “Proportional Reviews for Broadband Deployment Act” (Rep. Carter) H.R.2298 , the “Reducing Barriers for Broadband on Federal Lands Act of 2025” (Rep. Fulcher) H.R.2817 , the “Coastal Broadband Deployment Act” (Rep. Bilirakis) H.R.2975 , the Broadband Incentives for Communities Act (Rep. Fletcher) H.R.3960 , the “Connecting Communities Post Disasters Act of 2025” (Rep. Dunn) H.R.4211 , the “Brownfields Broadband Deployment Act” (Rep. Walberg) H.R.4927 , the “CABLE Competition Act” (Rep. Houchin) H.R.5147 , the “Winning the International Race for Economic Leadership and Expanding Service to Support Leadership Act” or the “WIRELESS Leadership Act” (Rep. Latta) H.R.5170 , the “Cable Access for Broadband and Local Economic Leadership Act” or the “CABLE Leadership Act” (Rep. Balderson) H.R.5264 , the “Streamlining Permitting to Enable Efficient Deployment for Broadband Infrastructure or the “SPEED for Broadband Infrastructure Act” (Rep. Goldman) H.R.5266 , the “5G Using Previously Granted Rulings that Accelerate Deployment Everywhere Act” or the “5G UPGRADE Act” (Rep. Harshbarger) H.R.5273 , the “Broadband Competition and Efficient Deployment Act” (Rep. Joyce) H.R.5290 , the “Cable Transparency Act” (Rep. Weber) H.R.5311 , the “Connecting and Building Lines for Expedited Expansion Act” or the “CABLE Expansion Act” (Rep. Fedorchak) H.R.5318 , the “Reducing Antiquated Permitting for Infrastructure Deployment Act” (Rep. Hudson) H.R. ____ , the “TRUSTED Broadband Networks Act" (Rep. Fry) H.R. ___ , the “Broadband and Telecommunications RAIL Act” (Rep. Joyce) This notice is at the direction of the Chairman. The hearing will be open to the public and press and will be live streamed online at energycommerce.house.gov . If you have any questions concerning the hearing, please contact Noah Jackson with the Committee staff at Noah.Jackson@mail.house.gov . If you have any press-related questions, please contact Daniel Kelly at Daniel.Kelly@mail.house.gov . ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, delivered the following opening statement at today’s hearing titled  Public Safety Communications in the United States . Subcommittee Chairman Hudson's opening statement as prepared for delivery: “Good morning, and welcome to today’s hearing on the state of public safety communications in the United States. I am looking forward to hearing from our witnesses about the needs of our first responders and how to improve communications for public safety.  “Communications systems are crucial for our public safety organizations. Our first responders need reliable connections to be able to answer calls for help. “We have unfortunately experienced many instances where our public safety communications didn’t work, and the consequences were devastating. “During the horrific terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001, our communications networks were overloaded, resulting in calls being dropped or not going through. “More recently, although significantly improved from 2001, in my home state of North Carolina we felt the severe impacts from the Hurricane Helene devastation – ultimately preventing people from calling 9-1-1 and receiving life-saving care. “These are just two examples of major events where a lack of public safety communications cost hundreds and thousands of lives. “Today’s first responder communications landscape looks vastly different than that of 2001. “After 9/11, Congress stood up the 9/11 Commission, which released recommendations to prepare for and guard against future attacks. “One of those recommendations led to Congress establishing the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet), a nationwide broadband network specifically built for public safety. “FirstNet was allocated 20 megahertz of spectrum and $7 billion to build out the network in all 50 states and territories. In 2017, AT&T was selected to deploy this network, and since then, other providers offer competitive services to serve public safety. “With FirstNet’s statutory authority set to expire in 2027, it’s time for Congress to assess the progress made by FirstNet to ensure the law requirements are being met and it is adequately serving the needs of our public safety community. “Additionally, our 911 call centers are working to deploy advanced technology, known as ‘Next Generation 911’. Next Generation 911 is a critical technology upgrade for our first responders and I have been a long-time supporter of its deployment nationwide. “This internet protocol-based system at our 911 call centers will open the door for advanced tools for both the public and our first responders to use. “NG911-equipped centers are able to receive text messages, photos and videos to help aid response efforts. This technology also allows for seamless integration of artificial intelligence for cybersecurity purposes or to aid call takers in times of large call volumes or provide real time language transcription or even translation.  “Once fully deployed, NG911 will be able to provide specific geolocation data for wireless callers, known as a dispatchable location. This accurate location will let first responders know the exact location of a caller automatically, instead of just the nearest cell tower. “Similar technologies are also being implemented to transmit vertical location data, which can help first responders locate the exact floor of someone in a high-rise building. “Equipping our first responders with this information can improve response times and help save lives. Importantly, this technology allows calls to be transferred or re-routed to other call centers, in the event a call center is taken offline due to an outage or natural disaster. “Our public safety and law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to help us in our times of need, and we must make sure they have the best tools to do their jobs. “Today, we will hear from our witnesses about the state of public safety communications and whether public safety needs are being met. We will hear about what tools and technologies are most effective for them to do their job, and where improvements can be made.  “I look forward to hearing from the witnesses today about these issues and how Congress can stand ready as a partner. “I now yield five minutes to my colleague, Ranking Member Matsui, for her opening statement.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, led a hearing titled Public Safety Communications in the United States. “Communications systems are crucial for our public safety organizations. Our first responders need reliable connections to be able to answer calls for help,” said Chairman Hudson. “Our public safety and law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to help us in our times of need, and we must make sure they have the best tools to do their jobs.” Watch the full hearing here . Below are key excerpts from today’s hearing: Congressman Rick Allen (GA-12) : “Last year, my district suffered catastrophic damage and loss from hurricane. This was a once in a hundred year hurricane. [...] In the weeks after this hurricane, we had disruptions, as I mentioned, and danger to both personal safety and property. I want to simply reinforce how vital it is that we guarantee our public safety officials can always be assured that their communications will not be disrupted, especially during times of emergency.” Congressman Bob Latta (OH-05):  “I recently met with the Crawford County Sheriff's Department in my district, where they demonstrated how they utilize FirstNet to ensure they have reliable communication to respond to emergencies. And as one of the Republicans and one of the early members who was here when we created the FirstNet program, I must say seeing FirstNet deployed through my district and the nation underscores how this true public-private partnership has been tremendously successful.” Congresswoman Erin Houchin (IN-09): “Communication is more than convenient. It can be life saving. Today's hearing reminds us that success requires federal, state, and local partners all rowing in the same direction. In a crisis, no single system can carry the load. True resilience comes from interoperability, making sure radio, cellular, satellite and next generation 911 systems can connect seamlessly, so first responders can communicate and share information in real time.”

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump urging the administration to quickly remove burdensome regulations that have stopped the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program from connecting any American to reliable broadband. KEY EXCERPT: “The Biden administration added unnecessary and burdensome requirements that made participation in the program more expensive and less attractive to broadband providers. These include labor and climate change requirements, as well as rate regulation of low-cost broadband plans that were unlawfully imposed.  “To address these issues, we introduced the Streamlining Program Efficiency and Expanding Deployment (SPEED) for BEAD Act, which outlines necessary reforms to BEAD. We appreciate that Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick is undertaking a review of the program and urge any reforms to be enacted as soon as possible.” BACKGROUND: On March 5, 2025,  Congressman Hudson introduced  the SPEED for BEAD Act to remove harmful regulations that have prevented the $42 billion program from laying even a single inch of fiber to support rural Americans. Also on March 5, 2025, the Committee on Energy and Commerce  held a hearing  to discuss the BEAD program titled  Fixing Biden’s Broadband Blunder. CLICK HERE to read the full letter. ###

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) today sent letters to five independent federal agencies urging the Biden-Harris administration appointees to abandon partisan efforts and instead focus remaining efforts on bipartisan, consensus items.   The letters state, “The results of the 2024 presidential election are now apparent and leadership of the [agency] will soon change. As a traditional part of the peaceful transfer of power, the [agency] should immediately stop work on any partisan or controversial item under consideration, consistent with applicable law and regulation.”    Click below to read each agency’s letter:   Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Federal Communications Commission (FCC)   Federal Trade Commission (FTC)   Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)   Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Note: In the letter, Chair Rodgers urges NRC to continue timely implementation of the ADVANCE Act. 

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.