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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, led a hearing titled Global Networks at Risk: Securing the Future of Telecommunications Infrastructure .  “Today, we rely on communications infrastructure in nearly every sector of our economy,” said Chairman Hudson. “As Americans become more connected, it is increasingly important the equipment we buy and the networks we rely on are secure, resilient, and protected from malicious actors.” Watch the full hearing here .  Below are key excerpts from yesterday’s hearing: Congressman Russell Fry (SC-07): “The systems that connect us, our networks, our satellites, cables, towers, and data centers form the invisible architecture of 21st century life. Safeguarding that infrastructure, as you've all talked about, is not just a matter of technology, it's a matter of strategy, security, and sovereignty.” Congressman Russ Fulcher (ID-01): “I represent the great state of Idaho and there is a lot of rural space there. A lot of the ISPs don't have a tremendous number of cybersecurity resources, but they will oftentimes be integrated with major infrastructure components. Whether it be a power plant or a grid or flood control or some of those major things that oftentimes can have an impact, without necessarily the infrastructure or the cybersecurity expertise to fend off some of these new threats that are on the way. I'd like to get any suggestions or comments on how CISA might be a resource for that or other sources of a counsel through your role at NTIA?” Mr. Stehlin: “Thank you for that. Idaho is a tremendous opportunity to take advantage of the monies put forth with rip and replace, for example. You know, these rural operators have a hard time making money running a business when you're so spread out. So, removing things like untrusted gear like Huawei or ZTE gear, critically important.” Congressman Neal Dunn (FL-02): “Mr. Stroup, you mentioned in your testimony access to sufficient spectrum resources is necessary to secure infrastructure. Can you briefly elaborate on this and share what kind of spectrum authorities you think would make the most sense right now for the space industry?” Mr. Stroup: “ Our industry is growing substantially. As an example, approximately 10 years ago we had a thousand satellites operational. Today, that number is over twelve thousand. That's just to give you a sense of the growth in the industry.” ###

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 Global Networks at Risk: Securing the Future of Telecommunications Infrastructure . “Our adversaries continually seek to exploit vulnerabilities in our communications infrastructure to jeopardize our national security, disrupt critical services, and steal Americans’ data. As the United States faces new and evolving threats, we must act quickly to strengthen our networks and support greater resilience by outpacing those who seek to do us harm,” said Chairmen Guthrie and Hudson . “We look forward to this conversation with experts from across the industry on what steps Congress should take to ensure Americans continue to have access to secure and reliable networks.”    Subcommittee on Communications and Technology hearing titled Global Networks at Risk: Securing the Future of Telecommunications Infrastructure    WHAT : Subcommittee on Communications and Technology hearing on securing global networks.     DATE : Wednesday, April 30, 2025  TIME : 10:00 AM ET  LOCATION : 2322 Rayburn House Office Building   This notice is at the direction of the Chairman. The hearing will be open to the public and press and will be livestreamed online at energycommerce.house.gov . If you have any questions concerning this hearing, please contact Noah Jackson 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. – Yesterday, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology held a hearing titled Fixing Biden’s Broadband Blunder . “I hope this new Congress and the urgency of this moment will inspire bipartisan cooperation on this effort. We must do everything we can to remove these unnecessary barriers to deployment,” said Chairman Hudson. “Unserved Americans have waited too long for the promise of connectivity. But now is the moment to close the digital divide once and for all.” Watch the full hearing here . Below are key excerpts from yesterday's hearing: Representative Neal Dunn (FL-02): “We spent 65 billion in the Infrastructure, Investment, and Jobs Act, the IIJA, to support broadband activities, and we have nothing to show for it. We have a poster that shows how much money was put into a number of these different programs – not all of them, just some of the bigger ones. In fact, they’re over 130 programs in total.” Representative Buddy Carter (GA-01): “Let’s face it, the past 4 years under the Biden Harris administration has been nothing short of a disaster for broadband deployment and expansion to America, and it’s because of the permitting process. Permitting delays have, have resulted in And, and, and the can and halting the construction of Bo band infrastructure, even in my own district of, of Georgia in the first congressional district.” Representative Erin Houchin (IN-09): “Back in the Indiana State Senate, I worked on broadband legislation trying to get access to unserved areas. As noted in some of your testimonies, we have seen overbuilding technologies that are picking winners and losers in some of these funding opportunities. One of the things that I wanted to do is make sure that any broadband that was deployed went to areas that had zero access first and then we would build to uh toward higher speeds.” ###

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 Fixing Biden’s Broadband Blunder. “Despite lofty promises, the Biden-Harris Administration’s broadband agenda left many Americans behind. The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program was saddled with unnecessary red tape to appease the left wing of the Democratic Party, without a single inch of fiber actually being laid,” said Chairmen Guthrie and Hudson. “This hearing will be an important opportunity to hear from experts about how we can address critical issues impacting the broadband landscape and ensure all Americans are connected.” Subcommittee on Communications and Technology Hearing titled Fixing Biden’s Broadband Blunder . WHAT: Subcommittee on Communications and Technology hearing addressing broadband deployment. DATE: Wednesday, March 5, 2025 TIME: 2:00 PM ET LOCATION: 2123 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 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 Daniel Kelly at Daniel.Kelly@mail.house.gov . ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, delivered the following opening remarks at today’s hearing titled “Strengthening American Leadership in Wireless Technology.”   “Good morning, and welcome to the first hearing in the Communications and Technology subcommittee of the 119th Congress. “I am honored to serve as the Chairman of this subcommittee, where there’s a rich history of identifying and addressing the most pressing issues raised in the communications and technology sectors. “As technology continues to advance, this subcommittee will be at the forefront of solving tough issues. “The subcommittee has historically worked in a bipartisan manner to solve many of the issues before us, and I plan to continue that tradition working with my Ranking Member, Representative Matsui. “I have admired and respected her bipartisan work and accomplishments as a leader in this space and look forward to working together and learning from her. “I am grateful for the work Chairman Latta brought to this subcommittee and I’m looking forward to continuing it and learning from him as well. “I’m also excited to work with my Vice Chair Mr. Rick Allen, and all my colleagues on this subcommittee to advance important legislation this Congress.” U.S. Leadership “Our nation is the world’s economic powerhouse, and we lead the world in innovation.  “America is home to the best technology companies, both large and small. These companies lead in everything from next-generation wireless technology to all the emerging technologies that rely on connectivity, ranging from artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things to NextGen 9-1-1 and precision agriculture. “Our country’s startup ecosystem is strong and should be fostered. This Committee must advance thoughtful policy that continues to grow American innovation and productivity rather than stifle it. “Next-generation wireless technology supports many of these technological advancements. It impacts nearly every sector of our economy, from powering everyday communication networks and advancements in healthcare and manufacturing, to being used for our national defense, something heavily present in my district at Fort Bragg, the home of our Special Forces and the largest military base in the world. “But if our wireless networks are going to keep pace with the speed of innovation, we need to make sure they have additional spectrum resources. “Spectrum is a crucial element for wireless technology to operate. Americans depend on connected devices in their everyday lives, and the congestion on our networks has skyrocketed. “Our wireless networks need to keep up. “As our wireless networks advance from 5G to 6G technology and beyond, the demand for spectrum will only continue to grow.” Spectrum Landscape “We must remember these important resources are finite. Managing these limited resources is vital to maintaining our economic dominance and protecting our national security. “We will take a balanced approach to making both licensed and unlicensed spectrum available. “This includes working with our federal partners such as the Department of Defense, which must have enough spectrum to defend the homeland, but also be held accountable to use their resources efficiently. “Last Congress, the Federal Communications Commission, or FCC’s, spectrum auction authority expired for the first time due to disagreements about how spectrum resources should be allocated. These auctions have historically brought in billions to our national economy, with the highest spectrum auctions raising over $80 billion from private companies. “It is simple economics: there is limited supply, unlimited demand, and a willingness to pay. We need to reauthorize the FCC’s spectrum auction authority immediately. “We must also continue looking for ways to make unlicensed spectrum available. Unlicensed spectrum unlocks the Internet of Things and smart device economy on which Americans rely, providing tremendous economic growth. “Under the first Trump Administration, more than 1,200 megahertz of unlicensed spectrum was made available in the 6 gigahertz band, leading to massive opportunities for innovation for our farmers, industrialists, and communities.” Securing our Networks “These successes are just a start. “However, as we progress, our adversaries are constantly trying to undermine our leadership in international standard setting bodies, through IP theft, and through cyberattacks. “The U.S. must remain resolute in defending our leadership to safeguard democratic values, and this happens by trusting in our private sector partners to address some of our nation’s most pressing challenges. “We recently learned about ‘Salt Typhoon,’ which may be the largest Chinese-backed telecommunications hack in our nation’s history. “As we deploy advanced networks and connected devices in an environment of Great Power Competition, we have to thoughtfully secure our networks every step of the way. “At the end of last year, I was glad to see Congress fund the removal of the remaining Chinese equipment in our communications networks. “China is producing cheap communications equipment at the cost of our national security, and that needs to change. We need trusted alternatives. “Companies are working to develop and deploy Open RAN technology, which is intended to promote an ecosystem of trusted vendors for communications network equipment, and I look forward to hearing an update on its progress today. “The key to our success is working together with all stakeholders to deploy and secure our networks. “As our adversaries seek to undermine U.S. leadership, we will continue to build a comprehensive spectrum policy in the United States and a unified position on the international stage. “I look forward to discussing these issues more in depth with our witnesses today and discussing the future of spectrum policy in the United States.” ###

TUNE IN: The House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, led by Chairman Richard Hudson (NC-09), is holding a hearing at 10:00 AM to discuss a strategic spectrum policy that empowers our innovators and can launch a new era of American leadership.   Who You’ll Hear from: Michael Powell, President and CEO, NCTA – The Internet and Television Association: “Wireless technologies are central to bringing high-speed internet to our customers and have allowed us to enter the competitive mobile broadband market. As a relatively new entrant, we have quickly become the Nation’s fourth largest wireless carrier.” Brad Gillen, Executive Vice President, CTIA: “The wireless industry can play a key role in addressing many of the core challenges facing our country today—from helping families with everyday household costs and creating more good paying jobs to competing more effectively against China and connecting all Americans." Diane Rinaldo, Executive Director, Open RAN Policy Coalition: “To navigate these challenges, the U.S. must reassert its leadership by restoring spectrum auction authority, strengthening collaboration across sectors, and advancing a clear, coordinated national strategy for telecommunications with competition and cybersecurity at its heart.” Additional Witness: Chris Lewis, President & CEO, Public Knowledge CLICK HERE to watch live or tune in to Channel 37 on the internal House network. ###

Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, led a hearing titled Strengthening American Leadership in Wireless Technology . “Effectively allocating spectrum to meet the ever-growing need is critical to promoting American innovation and protecting our national security,” said Chairman Hudson. “Today’s hearing underscored the importance of building a comprehensive spectrum policy that ensures the United States continues leading in the global economy.” Watch the full hearing here . Below are key excerpts from today’s hearing : Subcommittee Vice Chairman Rick Allen (GA-12): “Access to telecommunications isn't just a luxury. It's something Americans depend on every single day. Students need it to finish their homework. Folks of all ages, especially in rural communities, rely on it for telehealth visits with their doctors, and small businesses use it to reach customers and keep the doors open. And let's not forget, we all use it to stay in touch with friends and loved ones. Additionally, when natural disasters strike, access to reliable communication becomes even more critical.” Congressman John Joyce (PA-13): “Spectrum is a finite resource, and we must ensure that we're being innovative and thoughtful when forming any spectrum legislation moving forward. Solving this spectrum auction authority lapse and generating new spectrum policy is my top priority on this subcommittee, and I look forward to working with Chairman Hudson on getting this across the finish line.” Congresswoman Erin Houchin (IN-09): “While we may not realize it, spectrum directly impacts the ways in which millions of Americans go about their daily lives both at home and at work. From listening to the radio to watching television, to using cell phones and browsing the internet, spectrum determines how these devices carry data. That said, it is a limited resource, and I recognize that the United States must play a leading role in innovation relative to spectrum to maintain our position as the world's leader in new technology.” ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, issued the following statement after the White House announced a $500 billion investment by private companies in U.S. AI infrastructure: “This massive investment in American infrastructure makes clear that the United States is prepared to lead the world in next-generation technologies. The Committee on Energy and Commerce is already working on addressing the many challenges that accompany increased investment in AI technology, including the exponentially increasing demand for energy, the need for permitting reform, and the importance of securing Americans’ data, among many others,”  said Chairman Guthrie .  “The commitment announced this week is proof that industry leaders are ready to work with Congressional Republicans and President Trump to spark an economy that creates jobs, supports our communities, and provides opportunities for all Americans.” ###

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, and Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, issued the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the forced divestiture of TikTok: “Today’s Supreme Court decision affirms what Congress has been saying all along to ByteDance and the Chinese Communist Party: divest or face a ban. This is a sober, but important, step toward safeguarding our national security. ByteDance still has the choice to fully divest, so TikTok could continue operating in the United States if they so choose. Regardless of their decision, the Committee will continue to vigorously fight attempts by the CCP to compromise our communications networks and surveil the American people.”  ###