Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) issued the following statement regarding the passing of former Chairman Tom Bliley (R-VA):

“Former Chairman Tom Bliley served our nation with distinction throughout his life—in the Navy and in local, state, and federal elected offices. Many of his legislative accomplishments still stand today, including in the telecommunications, food safety, and technology sectors. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 served as the foundation for decades of growth for new technologies and Internet connectivity for Americans. Financial services modernization, which bears his name in the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, served to knock down competitive barriers and reduce costs to Americans and established data privacy protections for them at the same time. As our committee continues working to improve the lives of Americans, we build upon the foundations of his hard work and legacy.”