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Technology
I strongly believe we must have a national telecommunications policy that works for everyone
As a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee I strongly believe we must have a national telecommunications policy that works for everyone. Broadband Internet and other telecommunications technology have exploded in the last decade. We must make the necessary investments in infrastructure in order to fully utilize these technologies so we can compete in the global economy and create good paying jobs and bring the benefits of the wired world to all sectors of our economy.
The National Broadband Plan and National Broadband Map establish a clear way forward on broadband deployment. And the $7.2 billion in grants and loans for deployment contained within the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provide the necessary investment incentives to build and maintain the highspeed broadband network we need in the 21st century global economy.
In addition to a 21st century communications network, we must work to promote competition in the marketplace and maintain our innovation-friendly environment. America is the international hub for Internet-based innovations. The Open Internet rules recently adopted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) formalize the free-flow of information principle under which the Internet-based innovation community has thrived. Additionally, the FCC recently launched its Spectrum Dashboard to help innovators, businesses, and the public identify the current and potential uses of frequency spectrum required for advanced telecommunications and broadband capable devices.
As a member of the Public Broadcasting Caucus, I strongly believe public broadcasting plays a vital role in our 21st century media landscape. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) is funded by Congress and regularly distributes these funds directly to almost 1,300 public television and public radio stations across the country. Over 170 million Americans rely on public broadcasting for quality, commercial-free news, entertainment, and educational programming each month. Public television and radio are invaluable resources to our community and our nation, and I will continue to work to ensure CPB funds remain available to the public stations across our country.
There is a lot of work ahead and I am committed providing the necessary foundation and resources for our innovation community to thrive and bring the economic benefits to all corners of our country.
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