Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4510) to reauthorize the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, to update the mission and functions of the agency, and for other purposes, as amended.…
Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4510) to reauthorize the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, to update the mission and functions of the agency, and for other purposes, as amended.
Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill.
Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4510, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Reauthorization Act of 2023, which I am pleased to lead with the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, the gentlewoman from California's Seventh District.
The NTIA is an agency within the Department of Commerce tasked with advising the President on matters related to telecommunications policy. It is responsible for a variety of activities, which include Federal spectrum management, administration of broadband grants, internet governance, representing the United States at international telecommunication forums, and developing cybersecurity policy.
Congress has not reauthorized NTIA since 1992 before many of these responsibilities existed or were relevant. This legislation ensures NTIA has the right structure and resources to fulfill the 21st century mission as directed by Congress.
Today's NTIA also plays a key role in our effort to maintain global leadership in wireless communications. NTIA has important statutory obligations to manage Federal spectrum, which is especially important as Federal and non-Federal use of spectrum has intensified with the explosion of mobile phones and new connected technologies.
The bill considered today reaffirms NTIA is responsible for coordinating the views of the executive branch and presenting them to the FCC, building more safeguards into the Federal coordination procedures so other agencies' needs are appropriately accounted for as the FCC makes decisions on commercial spectrum use.
Indeed, many Federal agencies use spectrum. It is important to have an open and transparent spectrum management process so all agency views are heard and accounted for as NTIA prepares and presents the views of the executive branch on spectrum policy.
I look forward to working with all stakeholders as well as reauthorizing spectrum auction authority and identifying future opportunities for spectrum use.
Today's NTIA also plays a significant role in closing the digital divide. Congress recently provided NTIA with $48.2 billion for broadband deployment and digital equity and inclusion. This reauthorization is one way to ensure NTIA has the tools it needs to effectively manage these programs and is held accountable for the decisions it makes.
Further, with over 130 Federal broadband programs spread across 15 agencies, this legislation would direct NTIA to develop a strategy to improve coordination of these programs.
NTIA also addresses some of the Nation's spectrum changes, including cybersecurity and public safety. The legislation codifies existing offices related to both and outlines their duties. The bill also provides clarity and transparency to the Team Telecom process for national security reviews of foreign participation in the telecommunication sector.
Finally, we need to make sure NTIA's leadership reflects the important role it plays today, both domestically and internationally. That is why this legislation elevates the NTIA Administrator from an Assistant Secretary of Commerce to Under Secretary of Commerce. This elevation will help NTIA best represent the United States as it coordinates with other agencies and works with other countries.
NTIA's role has drastically changed since it was last reauthorized, and I appreciate the work from the agency and my colleagues to update its authorizing statute.
I thank the gentlewoman from California's Seventh District for her work on this bipartisan legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4510.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Walberg).
Madam Speaker, as I mentioned already, the NTIA has not been reauthorized since 1992. Again, as stated before, many of the responsibilities that it has didn't even exist or were irrelevant at that time, such as Federal spectrum management, administration of broadband grants, internet governance, representing the United States in international telecommunication forums, and especially developing cybersecurity policy.
It is absolutely essential that H.R. 4510 be enacted. Madam Speaker, I urge passage of this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.