President Fortifies E&C’s Bipartisan #RecordOfSuccess - Signs Satellite TV Reauthorization into Law

WASHINGTON, DC – House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) and Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) today applauded the news that President Obama had signed H.R. 5728, the STELA Reauthorization Act, into law. The bipartisan legislation ensures that 1.5 million satellite television subscribers continue to receive broadcast programming and makes a number of changes to improve the video marketplace for consumers.

“Hearing that our bipartisan work is now law is stellar news. With a stroke of the president’s pen today, over a million satellite subscribers will continue receiving their favorite broadcast content uninterrupted,” said Upton. “Bipartisan legislating has been the cornerstone of the Energy and Commerce Committee, and I look forward to continuing that tradition as we work toward a #CommActUpdate.”

“It was important that Congress came together and got its work done on time. After nearly a year-long process, I am proud to say that the bipartisan STELA Reauthorization Act signed by President Obama today is a job well done. This law ensures continuity of service for rural satellite subscribers and helps bring the laws governing our video marketplace onto the same playing field. While there is still plenty of work ahead as we bring our communications laws into the 21st century, this is an important milestone. Consumers are well served by this legislation, and I am ready to continue our work on these important issues next Congress.”

H.R. 5728 is a bipartisan product of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and the House and Senate Judiciary Committees and was approved by the House and Senate in late November. To view a list of groups supporting the legislation, click here.

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