5G SALE Act

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 2787) to authorize the Federal Communications Commission to process applications for spectrum licenses from applicants who were successful bidders in an auction before the authority of the Commission to conduct auctions expired on March 9, 2023.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material in the Record on the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 2787, the 5G SALE Act, which will help restore trust in our Nation's wireless technology ecosystem and enable faster mobile broadband service for millions of Americans nearly overnight.

The 5G SALE Act would deliver on our promise to provide access to our airways for those who successfully won a license at auction before March 9, 2023. These licenses have been locked up since the expiration of the Federal Communications Commission's auction authority earlier this year.

While I will continue to work with my colleagues on a long-term solution to reauthorize auction authority, today's legislation is a positive step to ensuring that the FCC can finalize the review and award licenses to companies whose checks have already cleared the Treasury.

The 5G SALE Act will ensure that those relying on advanced mobile broadband services, especially our veterans who access VA telehealth services, will benefit from American investment in these technologies.

I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Joyce), my good friend representing the 13th District.

Mr. Speaker, as the minority has said, we need more spectrum, not less, and we have to win the race for 5G.

We have seen, over time, as I have spoken with people across the country for years, it was like the United States was way ahead in 5G, but as time went by, then all of a sudden, we were just a little bit ahead or maybe we were even. If we are going to win this race, we have to have 5G out there. It is absolutely essential.

During COVID, some of the things that happened have already been mentioned--telehealth services, the business side, education.

For families to stay connected, it is absolutely essential that we have more broadband out there, not less.

We need to keep our promise to those that won these auctions that these airways will be available to them.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage a ``yes'' vote, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 2787, the 5G Spectrum Authority Licensing Enforcement Act, or the 5G SALE Act.

Spectrum is one of our country's most important natural resources. These radio waves are a critical component in building next-generation wireless networks and delivering connectivity to Americans across the country. Without spectrum, our wireless networks would not be able to help millions of Americans study for school, meet with their health provider, connect with family and friends, and place a call to 911 during a time of need. In order to have this kind of connectivity that we have all come to expect, we must ensure that consumers have access to the spectrum that has been made available for commercial wireless use.

S. 2787 achieves these objectives. This legislation gives the FCC the authority for 90 days to process spectrum license applications that are currently pending at the agency from its auction last year of the 2.2 gigahertz band. While I hoped Congress would have extended the SEC spectrum auction authority by now, this legislation is an important step forward in allowing commercial spectrum to be used by consumers, especially those in unserved areas and rural communities.

It is important that we pass this bill today, but even with this action, our work will still not be done. We must find a way forward on a bipartisan, bicameral spectrum agreement that can be sent to the President's desk for his signature. As Chair Rodgers and I have said for months, it is critical that we reauthorize the FCC spectrum auction authority as soon as possible. I am concerned that this lapse will hinder us on the international stage, especially with the World Radiocommunication Conference taking place right now in Dubai.

I commend Representatives Kuster and Joyce for their bipartisan work on the House companion to this bill, H.R. 5677. This important bill helps advance America's wireless leadership by ensuring that 5G spectrum is deployed quickly so that we can further improve consumers' wireless service all around the Nation, especially in rural communities.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation in a bipartisan manner so it can be sent shortly to the President's desk, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, this is important legislation. Obviously, we would like to see spectrum authority in general be authorized, but this is important on its own.

Mr. Speaker, I ask for support of the bill on a bipartisan basis, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, this bipartisan bill will grant the FCC temporary authority to issue over 7,500 licenses that have been stalled while the spectrum auction authority has lapsed. To address this issue, I am proud to be the sponsor of the 5G SALE Act, which was unanimously reported out of committee.

It has now been more than a year since Auction 108 was conducted by the FCC for these 2.5 gigahertz band licenses. During the auction, more than $400 million was raised by 63 bidders. Releasing these licenses will mean greater competition among providers and money funneled into our economy.

The 5G SALE Act would cut through bureaucratic red tape and help get more Americans connected to high-speed coverage than ever before. Especially in rural areas, where I represent, in Pennsylvania's south central and southwestern area, coverage can be scarce. Congress must work to ensure that students, patients, workers, and farmers all have access to 5G internet.

In places where seeing a medical specialist can mean a 2-hour drive, access to reliable 5G connection can be life-changing for a patient. These connections are invaluable also for our farmers, as they use precision farming to plant crops and harvest.

Access to the internet is vital for our students as they work to do their homework--their homework at home, not in the parking lot outside of a convenience store.

Recently, the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology heard from Chair Rosenworcel that the FCC would devote the necessary resources and time to ensure that these licenses would be issued as quickly as possible once this legislation is enacted.

I am grateful for all the work that went into advancing this commonsense legislation to help connect more Americans than ever before.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill.