As a member of the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Internet, we regularly work on issues affecting cellular phone service, e911 service, broadband access, television service (broadcast, cable, satellite, and wireline), broadcast indecency, and many other issues.

Improving Education-The Universal Service fees from long distance charges go towards two primary purposes: bringing service to rural areas, and providing schools and libraries with telecommunication equipment for educational purposes, especially for low-income schools. I have worked to make Universal Service funding available for educational purposes and to help schools and libraries take advantage of this opportunity.

Creating Jobs-More and more Texans are becoming involved in the telecommunications industry, employed by service or equipment providers. As a Member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, I am working to maintain a fair regulatory environment for the industry to allow for its healthy growth and provide new opportunities for Texas jobs.

Internet Accessibility-The internet is a powerful tool for education, communication, information, and entertainment. Unfortunately, many families with tight budgets cannot afford to move online. My position on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce allows me the opportunity to work to expand internet access and improve internet competition, in order to reduce access prices and close the "Digital Divide" between those online and those who are not. In the 110th Congress (2007-2008) I cosponsored, and the House passed, Broadband Census of America Act of 2007. This legislation will create a comprehensive national broadband map that will help policy makers and the Federal Communications Commission create policies to facilitate broadband deployment and competition in areas with little-to-no access.

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