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For Immediate Release
10/30/07
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Joe Brenckle - Republican Press Office 202-224-3991
Brian Eaton w/Stevens 202-224-0445
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Commerce Committee Approves Bill to Make Broadband Access More Affordable
Legislation Would Encourage Cities and Towns to Offer Broadband Services |
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee today approved legislation cosponsored by Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) to increase access to broadband services for cities and towns across America. The bill, the Community Broadband Act of 2007 (S.1853), is sponsored by Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), and cosponsored by Senators Gordon Smith (R-Ore.), John Kerry (D-Mass.), John McCain (R-Ariz.), Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) and Olympia Snowe (R-Maine). The bill now awaits action by the full Senate.
“Broadband services are essential to providing important educational and economic opportunities, especially for rural areas,” said Senator Stevens. “This bill would make it easier for municipalities, cities, and towns across our nation to offer broadband access to their residents through public-private partnerships.”
This legislation would allow municipalities to help fill the void in broadband access and enhance public safety development while bringing broadband services to their residents. Senator Stevens included similar broadband provisions as part of a comprehensive communications bill last Congress.
Several groups and coalitions have expressed their strong support for the legislation including Free Press, ACUTA (the Association for Communications Technology Professionals in Higher Education), the American Association of Law Libraries, the American Library Association, the American Public Power Association, the Association of Research Libraries, Civitium, Earthlink, Inc., EDUCAUSE, Fiber to the Home Council, GO Networks, Google, Intel, IPWireless, Media Access Project, MetroNetIQ, National Association of Counties, the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors, NextWave Wireless Inc., Public Technology Institute, Skype Communications S.A., Tropos Networks, Utah Telecommunication Open Infrastructure Agency (UTOPIA), Utilities Telecom Council, and XO Communications.
The Community Broadband Act of 2007 would specifically:
- set forth that no state or local regulation or requirement can prevent a public provider from offering broadband services;
- require a municipality offering high-speed Internet services to comply with federal telecommunications law or regulation that applies to all such providers;
- encourage public-private partnerships; and
provide the public with notice and an opportunity to be heard before a municipality provides broadband to the public.
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| 30th - |
Inouye Coral Reef Conservation Bill Approved by Senate Commerce Committee
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Looking to stem the threats to our nation’s coral reefs, the Senate Commerce Committee today unanimously approved S. 1580, the Coral Reef Conservation Amendments Act of 2007, which reauthorizes and strengthens the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 and further improves research and management of our nation’s corals.
“The preservation of our coral re...
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| 30th - |
Inouye Praises Senate Approval of Amtrak Bill
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, issued the following statement upon full Senate passage of S. 294, the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2007:
“I fully support S. 294, a bill that will finally reauthorize Amtrak and make important changes to secure a prosperous future for...
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| 30th - |
current Press Release |
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| 30th - |
Congress Extends Internet Tax Ban for 7 Years
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House of Representatives today joined the United States Senate in approving an extension of the Internet tax moratorium for seven years. The moratorium to protect consumers was established as part of the Internet Tax Freedom Act in 1998. Congress has twice extended the moratorium to prohibit these taxes on consumer Internet access. The Act prevents states and locali...
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| 26th - |
Op-Ed -- Congress must keep Internet access tax-free
- Its imperative that Congress keep Internet access tax-free
COMPASS: POINTS OF VIEW FROM THE COMMUNITY
By SEN. TED STEVENS
(Published: October 26, 2007)
The Internet has provided a powerful economic boost to our nation, especially in rural areas. It has become an important everyday tool for millions of Americans, a valuable educational and medical resource, and an essentia...
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| 23rd - |
Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Hearing on Sweatshop Conditions in Chinese Toy Industry
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announced today the witnesses scheduled to appear before an Interstate Commerce, Trade, and Tourism Subcommittee hearing on Sweatshop Conditions in the Chinese Toy Industry. The witnesses are listed below.
At this hearing, the subcommittee will examine sweatshop conditions in Chinese factories where toys and...
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| 19th - |
Commerce Committee to Examine STB’s Commercial Regulation of Railroads
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security Subcommittee Oversight Hearing on the Surface Transportation Board and Regulation Related to Railroads.
This hearing will examine the Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) recent and ongoing efforts related to t...
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| 18th - |
Commerce Subcommittee to Examine Sweatshop Conditions in Chinese Toy Industry
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announced today an Interstate Commerce, Trade, and Tourism Subcommittee hearing on Sweatshop Conditions in the Chinese Toy Industry.
At this hearing, the subcommittee will examine sweatshop conditions in Chinese factories where toys and other children’s products are manufactured.
Sweatshop Condit...
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| 18th - |
Inouye Calls for Modernization of U.S. Transportation System, Improved Safety Standards
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, issued the following statement today at an Oversight Hearing on the U.S. Department of Transportation:
“Transportation fuels our economy and improves the quality of our lives. It permits industry to move goods and people to travel both across our natio...
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| 16th - |
DOT Secretary, IG to Testify Before Senate Commerce Committee
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announced today that the Honorable Mary E. Peters, Secretary of Transportation for the U.S. Department of Transportation and Mr. Calvin L. Scovel III, Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Transportation will testify at a Full Committee Oversight Hearing on the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The ...
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| 16th - |
Senate Commerce Announces Witnesses for Science Parks Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation released a witness list today for a Science, Technology, and Innovation Subcommittee hearing on Science Parks: Bolstering U.S. Competitiveness. The witnesses are listed below.
At this hearing, the Committee will explore the effects science parks can have on innovation and competitiveness including encouragi...
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| 15th - |
Commerce Committee to Examine the Future of Radio
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Full Committee hearing on the Future of Radio.
At this hearing, Committee Members will assess the state of innovation and competition in the radio market.
The Future of Radio
Full Committee
Date: Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Location: Room 253, Russell Senate Office B...
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| 15th - |
Witnesses Announced for TSA Oversight Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announced today the witnesses for a Full Committee Oversight Hearing on the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) – Examining the TSA’s Efforts and Progress on H.R. 1, “Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007.” The witnesses are listed below.
The Commer...
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| 12th - |
Senate Commerce to Hear from State Gov., Industry, Consumer Advocates on Consumer Wireless Issues
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announced today the witnesses scheduled to attend a Full Committee hearing on Consumer Wireless Issues. The witnesses are listed below.
At this hearing, the Committee will hear testimony regarding consumer practices of the wireless industry.
Consumer Wireless Issues
Full Committee
Date: Wednesday, Oc...
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| 12th - |
FCC’s Adelstein, NTIA’s Kneuer Join Industry Reps to Testify Before Senate Commerce Committee
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation released today the witness list for the Full Committee hearing on The Digital Television Transition: Government and Industry Perspectives. The witnesses are listed below.
At this hearing, the Committee will explore the status of the digital television transition including consumer education efforts, the op...
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| 3rd - |
Commerce Committee to Examine TSA Efforts to Meet 9/11 Recommendations
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Full Committee Oversight Hearing on the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) – Examining the TSA’s Efforts and Progress on H.R. 1, “Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007.”
The Commerce Committee will review the efforts of the Transportatio...
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| 3rd - |
DOT Oversight Focus of Upcoming Commerce Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Full Committee Oversight Hearing on the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The hearing will provide general oversight on current regulatory and programmatic activities at the U.S. Department of Transportation. The Commerce Committee has general oversight jurisdiction over the entire Department an...
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| 3rd - |
Commerce Committee to Evaluate Consumer Wireless Issues
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Full Committee hearing on Consumer Wireless Issues.
At this hearing, the Committee will hear testimony regarding consumer practices of the wireless industry.
Consumer Wireless Issues
Full Committee
Date: Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Location: Room 253, Russell Senate O...
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| 3rd - |
Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Port Security Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announced today the witnesses for a hearing on the Security of Our Nation’s Seaports. The witnesses are listed below.
The hearing will review the Department of Homeland Securitys implementation and administration of several port and cargo security programs authorized in the SAFE Port Act, the Maritime...
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| 2nd - |
CPSC Commissioners, Consumer Advocates among Witnesses to Address Senate Panel
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Consumer Affairs, Insurance, and Automotive Safety Subcommittee announced today the witnesses for its legislative hearing on S. 2045, the Consumer Product Safety Commission Reform Act of 2007. The witnesses are listed below.
At this hearing, the Committee will explore the state of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, examine reforms that are necessary to make th...
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