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Press Releases |
For Immediate Release
02/07/07
Contact: |
Joe Brenckle - Republican Press Office 202-224-3991
Brian Eaton w/Stevens 202-224-0445
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THE HILL OP-ED: Communications issues still need Congress’s attention
By Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) |
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As our nation moves farther into the digital age, there are several important issues that Congress should consider which will dramatically affect the way millions of Americans communicate. These issues include reforming universal service, easing the transition to digital television, and encouraging Internet access.
All Americans deserve the advantages presented by essential communications, and telemedicine and distance learning are especially important to rural . To encourage the deployment of such services, we must maintain and reform the universal service program, which helps connect the entire nation. An important and overdue first step is the USA Act (S.101 – the Universal Service for Americans Act), which mirrors language contained in the comprehensive communications bill reported out of the Senate Commerce Committee last year.
The USA Act would place all communications companies on a level playing field, acknowledging new technologies and lowering the burden on industry. The bill ensures continued support for schools and libraries to provide broadband Internet access to students, library patrons and health clinics (including rural pharmacies). Additionally, it creates a program to support the expansion of broadband Internet access in underserved areas. More will need to be done, but these measures are desperately needed to ensure access to communications for all Americans so our nation does not lose its technological edge.
Basic communications services for Americans are not the only issues that need to be addressed. A sea change is coming in the way Americans watch television, especially for those who receive broadcast signals over the air. Last year, the Senate set a hard date for the transition from analog television broadcasting to digital television broadcasting. This transition will allow broadcast spectrum to be devoted to emergency interoperable communications for police, firemen, paramedics and other first responders.
Also, pursuant to the digital transition law, valuable broadcast spectrum will be auctioned and proceeds will fund a converter box program to ease the digital transition for consumers. Auction proceeds will also fund important grants for public safety and first responders. To help with the transition, the National Association of Broadcasters is launching a massive education campaign to ensure consumers are aware of the coming change and are prepared for the switch to digital signals.
The Internet is an increasingly vital part of our daily lives, and Congress must work to ensure that we do not hinder its growth. It is imperative that the government find ways to encourage the deployment of broadband throughout the nation and promote increased Internet access for all Americans. The digital television transition, which passed last Congress, will free up valuable spectrum for increased broadband Internet deployment.
The FCC has also played an important part in this goal by recently approving an item that will speed the deployment of advanced networks by telephone companies. Such networks will provide competition for cable companies, and reduce prices. These networks will also increase quality television programming and offer Americans even faster Internet access. Congress can also play a role in supporting improved Internet access by extending the Internet Tax Freedom Act, which will expire on Nov. 1, 2007.
As Congress addresses these pressing communications issues, it should not get sidetracked by theoretical problems. Some members of Congress would impose net regulation in an era of unprecedented investment, innovation and job creation. I continue to support the right of every broadband consumer to access all legal content on the Internet. But behind flashy catchphrases, special interests are pushing agendas that will not solve the communications issues that require immediate attention. In fact, both Robert Kahn and David Farber, known as the father and grandfather of the Internet, are firmly opposed to sweeping regulation of the Internet.
The Internet has not only existed, but flourished without unnecessary government intervention. It is my hope that special interests do not succeed in denying consumers the benefits of communications technology, investment, innovation and jobs.
Stevens is the ranking member of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.
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28th - |
Sen. Stevens Cosponsors Clinton - Sununu Legislation to Protect Children In and Around Vehicles
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) today joined Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) and John Sununu (R-N.H.) to cosponsor legislation to improve child safety features in new vehicles. The measure, called the Kids and Cars Safety Act of 2007, will address issues surrounding vehicles and child safety, including backover crashes, injuries by power windows or deaths when ...
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27th - |
Aviation Subcommittee to Hold Second FAA Reauthorization Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation announces an Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security Subcommittee Hearing on the Administrations Proposal to Reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration - Part II for Thursday, March 8, 2007, at 9:30 a.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building.
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27th - |
Sen. Stevens Will Recognize E-Rate 10 Year Anniversary on Wednesday
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) will join the National Coalition for Technology in Education and Training (NCTET) and the Education and Library Networks Coalition (EdLiNC) to recognize the ten year anniversary of the “E-Rate” program on Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at 9:00AM in the Russell Senate Office Building, Room 485.
For the past decade, the “E...
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22nd - |
Senate Commerce Schedules CAFE Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Full Committee Oversight Hearing on the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) Program for Tuesday, March 6, 2007, at 10:00 a.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building.
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16th - |
Commerce Schedules Four Subcommittee Hearings
- WASHINGTON, DC – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation announces the following subcommittee hearings:
Consumer Affairs, Insurance, and Automotive Safety Subcommittee Hearing on Vehicle Safety for Children for Wednesday, February 28, 2007, at 10:00 a.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building;
Interstate Commerce, Trade, and Tourism Subcommittee Hea...
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15th - |
Passenger Rail, Universal Service Topics of Upcoming Commerce Hearings
- WASHINGTON, DC: The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation announces two hearings:
Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security Subcommittee Hearing on S.294, the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2007 for Tuesday, February 27, 2007, at 10:00 a.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building, and
Full Committee Hea...
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14th - |
Senate Commerce Committee Approves Security Bills, Nominations
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation today unanimously approved six bills, three of which will make significant improvements to our nation’s security. The Committee also approved three nominations to the Coast Guard.
“These bills have bipartisan support and reflect this Committee’s continued commitment to securing our transport...
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13th - |
Senators to Thoroughly Examine FAA Reauthorization
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation’s Aviation Subcommittee will hold a hearing tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. in SR 253 to review the proposed Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) reauthorization proposal released today. The Committee’s top Republican, Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), and the Ranking Member on the Aviation Subcommittee...
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13th - |
Senate Commerce Committee Approves 911 Modernization Act
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today reported the “911 Modernization Act” (S. 93), a bill to upgrade the 911 system used to reach operators in an emergency. The bill was introduced by Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and is co-sponsored by Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson (R-Texas). The ...
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13th - |
Commerce Committee Approves Legislation to Strengthen Aviation Security
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation today reported the Aviation Security Improvement Act (S. 509) with a provision sponsored by Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska). Senator Stevens’ provision will provide the nation’s airports and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) with long-term funding which will significantly improve and...
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13th - |
Commerce Committee Approves Ocean Exploration Bill
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation today reported the Ocean and Coastal Exploration and NOAA Act (S. 39) sponsored by Senators Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii). The legislation would establish a coordinated national ocean exploration program in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This measure would requir...
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13th - |
Senate Commerce Committee Approves Measure to Improve Emergency Communications
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today reported the “Interoperable Emergency Communications Act,” (S.385). This bill provides the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) more guidance on the awarding of $1 billion in interoperable emergency communications grants to police, firemen, and emergency medica...
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12th - |
Members Named to Senate Commerce Subcommittees
- WASHINGTON, DC – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation announces its subcommittee membership.
Senator Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii), as Chairman of the Committee, and Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), as Vice Chairman of the Committee, are ex officio members of all subcommittees.
Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security
John D. Rockefeller, W. Va. (Chair) ...
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8th - |
Commerce Committee Announces Executive Session Agenda
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation will mark up the following bills and nominations during its Executive Session on Tuesday, February 13, 2007, at 10:00 a.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building:
S. 184, Surface Transportation and Rail Security Act of 2007
S. 509, Aviation Security Improvement Act
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7th - |
Senators Introduce Bill To Improve Aviation Security
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) and Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) introduced legislation late Tuesday that would improve aviation security by enhancing passenger and cargo screening processes. Senators Jay Rockefeller, (D-WV), Trent Lott (R-Miss.) and Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) cosponsored the Aviation Security Improvement Act.
“The ...
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7th - |
Senate Commerce to Address Overseas Sweatshop Abuse and Coast Guard Deepwater Program in Hearings
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces the following subcommittee hearings:
Interstate Commerce, Trade, and Tourism Subcommittee Hearing on Overseas Sweatshop Abuses, Their Impact on U.S. Workers, and the Need for Anti-Sweatshop Legislation for Wednesday, February 14, 2007, at 10:00 a.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Build...
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7th - |
current Press Release |
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7th - |
Opening Statement by Senator Stevens on Climate Change Research and Scientific Integrity
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) today made the following opening statement during a Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing on Climate Change Research and Scientific Integrity.
“Thank you for holding this hearing on climate change research and scientific integrity. Global climate change is a very serious problem. As far as the United States i...
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2nd - |
Aviation Subcommittee to Hold FAA Reauthorization Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation announces an Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security Subcommittee Hearing on the Administrations Proposal to Reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration - Part I for Thursday, February 15, 2007, at 9:30 a.m., in room 253 of the
Russell
Senate
Office
Building .
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2nd - |
Space Subcommittee Announces NASA Budget Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation announces a Space, Aeronautics, and Related Sciences Subcommittee Hearing on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Budget for Wednesday, February 28, 2007, at 2:30 p.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building.
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