Rep. Bob Latta (R-Ohio) has been named chair of the House Energy & Commerce Committee's Communications and Technology Subcommittee by E&C chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.). Latta had been ranking member of the subcommittee.

The committee has primary oversight of the Federal Communications Commission.

Rep. Buddy Carter (Ga.) was named vice chair.

The other Republican members on the committee: Reps. Gus Bilirakis of Florida, Tim Walberg of Michigan, Neal Dunn of Florida, John Curtis of Utah, John Joyce of Pennsylvania, Randy Weber of Texas, Rick Allen of Georgia, Troy Balderson of Ohio, Russ Fulcher of Idaho, August Pfluger of Texas, Diana Harshbarger of Tennessee, Kat Cammack of Florida, Jay Obernolte of California and Rodgers.

Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R-N.D.) will be vice chair of the full committee.

Latta is a longtime opponent of network neutrality rules, once calling former President Barack Obama reckless for his support of them. He is also co-founder of the bipartisan Rural Broadband Caucus and, with Rep. Jerry McNerney (D-Calif.), of the bipartisan Wi-Fi Caucus.

The House Energy & Commerce Committee will be marking up a slew of bipartisan bills Wednesday (July 15) including a stand-alone bill to cancel the T-band auction, which almost nobody wants the FCC to have to go through with, and a bill that would require the FCC to consider "market entry barriers for socially disadvantaged individuals" in its reports to Congress on competition in the media marketplace.  

Related: FCC's Pai Joins Call for Congress to Ax T-Band Auction

A markup means the bills will be amended, or not, and most likely voted on, either for recommendation to the House for a vote, or not. 

H.R. 451, the Don’t Break Up the T-Band Act of 2019, was introduced by Reps. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.), Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.), Al Green (D-Tex.) and Peter King (R-N.Y.). The FCC is currently slated to reclaim spectrum from first responders for auction, but FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has asked Congress to reverse that decision. In the 2012 the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act, Congress required the FCC to reallocate and auction the spectrum, which has been used for decades by public safety licensees, and to fund the relocation of those users elsewhere.  

H.R. 5567, the Measuring the Economics Driving Investments and Access for Diversity Act of 2020 (or “MEDIA Diversity Act for short) was introduced by Reps. Billy Long (R-Mo.) and Rep. Marc Veasey (D-Tex.). It would make sure the FCC looked at what opportunities minorities and women had, or didn't have, to be players in the communications space. The FCC is currently under a court order to better explain the impact of its deregulatory policies on minority and women ownership of media properties. 

The other communications-related bills are: 

H.R. 1426, the “Timely Review of Infrastructure Act,” from Reps. Pete Olson (R-Tex.) and Mike Doyle (D-Pa.). 

H.R. 5918, which directs the FCC to issue reports after activation of the Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS) and to make improvements to network outage reporting, introduced by Reps. Doris Matsui, Anna Eshoo, Mike Thompson, and Jared Huffman (all D-Calif.). 

H.R. 6096, the Reliable Emergency Alert Distribution Improvement (READI) Act of 2020, introduced by Reps. Jerry McNerney (D-Calif.), Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.), Pete Olson (R-Tex.) and Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii). 

H.R. 6624, the Utilizing Strategic Allied Telecommunications Act of 2020 (USA Telecommunications Act), introduced by Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), chairman of the committee, ranking Member Greg Walden (R-Ore.), and Reps. Brett Guthrie (R-Tex.) and Doris Matsui. 

H.R. 7310, the Spectrum IT Modernization Act of 2020, which was introduced by Reps. Mike Doyle (D-Pa.), Bob Latta (R-Ohio), Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) and Tim Walberg (R-Mich.).

The House Communications Subcommittee has favorably reported 11 communications-related bills to the full committee for a vote, but over some Republican objections about the process. 

That came at a marathon markup Tuesday (March 10)

Those included bills mandating a C-Band auction--which the FCC is already planning to conduct--reinstating the minority tax certificate program, and reversing the congressional mandate to auction T-band spectrum now used by first responders. 

Rep. Bob Latta (R-Ohio), ranking member of the subcommittee, said that while he appreciated the majority's interest in the topics of the legislation, which included public safety communications and diversity, some of the bills "are not quite ready for bipartisan support." He said the process was disappointing and that many of the bills could have gotten bipartisan support "had they been examined through regular order, which would have included legislative hearings and more time to vet them. Instead, he said, "it appears we will be frantically negotiating between the subcommittee and the full committee markup to cobble together bipartisan legislation." 

Latta said it was not a time to be negotiating by "least common denominator." 

The complete list of bills sent to the full committee follows: 

"H.R. 451, the 'Don’t Break Up the T-Band Act,' was introduced by Reps. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.), Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.), Al Green (D-Texas) and Peter King (R-N.Y.). The Don’t Break Up the T-Band Act would repeal the requirement on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to reallocate and auction the 470-512 MHz spectrum band, also known as the T-Band.  

"H.R. 5926, the 'Reinforcing and Evaluating Service Integrity, Local Infrastructure, and Emergency Notification for Today’s Networks Act' or the 'RESILIENT Networks Act,' was introduced by Pallone and Rep. Jerry McNerney (D-Calif.). The RESILIENT Networks Act requires pre-planned coordination among providers of advanced communications service to take effect during times of emergency, including roaming and mutual aid arrangements. It improves coordination between communications providers, 9-1-1 operators and public safety entities. The legislation also includes mechanisms to ensure first responders are provided network outage data to help guide disaster response.  

'H.R. 6096, the 'Reliable Emergency Alert Distribution Improvement Act' or the 'READI Act,' was introduced by Reps. McNerney, Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.), Pete Olson (R-Texas) and Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii). The READI Act amends the Warning, Alert and Response Network Act to include emergency alerts from FEMA as a type of alert that subscribers of mobile service may not block from their devices, as currently, alerts from the President may not be blocked.   

"H.R. 4194, the 'National Suicide Hotline Designation Act,' was introduced by Reps. Chris Stewart (R-Utah) and Seth Moulton (D-Mass.). The National Suicide Hotline Designation Act amends the Communications Act to designate 9-8-8 as the universal dialing code for the Lifeline. It allows states to impose a fee or charge on commercial mobile or IP-enabled voice service subscribers’ bills for the support or implementation of 9-8-8 services.   

"H.R. 5918, the 'Emergency Reporting Act of 2020,' was introduced by Reps. Doris Matsui (D-Calif.), Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.), Mike Thompson (D-Calif.) and Jared Huffman (D-Calif.). The Emergency Reporting Act requires the FCC to establish formal processes to take effect in instances when the FCC activates the Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS).  

"H.R. 1289, the'Preserving Home and Office Numbers in Emergencies Act'; or the 'PHONE Act,' was introduced by Rep. Mike Thompson. The PHONE Act amends the Communications Act to prohibit providers of voice service from reassigning phone numbers of subscribers in an area covered by a major disaster declaration, for the duration of the declaration.   

"H. Res. 549, reaffirming the House of Representatives’ commitment to media diversity and pledging to eliminate barriers to such diversity, was introduced by Rep. Val Demings (D-Fla.).   

"H.R. 3957, the 'Expanding Broadcast Ownership Opportunities Act of 2019,' was introduced by Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.). The Expanding Broadcast Ownership Opportunities Act would reinstate the tax certificate program at the FCC, which would incentivize sales to women and members of minority groups and encourage investment of capital in stations owned by women and members of minority groups. The bill also requires the FCC to make recommendations to Congress for increasing the number of broadcast stations owned by women and members of minority groups and submit to Congress a report every two years that states the total number of broadcast stations that are owned by women and members of minority groups.  

"H.R. 5567, the 'Measuring the Economics Driving Investments and Access for Diversity Act of 2020' or the 'MEDIA Diversity Act of 2020,' was introduced by Reps. Billy Long (R-Mo.) and Marc Veasey (D-Texas). The MEDIA Diversity Act requires the FCC to consider, with the input of its Office of Communications Business Opportunities, market entry barriers for socially disadvantaged individuals in the communications marketplace. 

Related: FCC Ownership Data Still Bad for Diversity   

"H.R. 5564, the 'Enhancing Broadcaster Diversity and Inclusion by Verifying and Ensuring the Reporting required by Statute Is Transpiring and Yielding Data Act' or the 'Enhancing Broadcaster DIVERSITY Data Act,' was introduced by Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.). The legislation requires the FCC to complete its rulemaking reviewing the FCC’s broadcast and cable equal employment opportunity rules. The bill also prohibits the FCC from substantially revising broadcast ownership data reporting requirements and requires the FCC to include an analysis of the data in its communications marketplace report. The bill also requires the FCC to create a public, searchable database of the broadcast ownership data collected by the FCC.  

"H.R. 4855, the 'Clearing Broad Airwaves for New Deployment Act' or the 'C-BAND Act,' was introduced by Doyle, along with Reps. Bill Johnson (R-Ohio), Matsui and Greg Gianforte (R-Mont.). The C-BAND Act requires the FCC to conduct a public auction of no less than 200 MHz and no more than 300 MHz of C-band spectrum by September 30, 2022. It also protects C-band-dependent users by requiring that they continue to receive equal or better service throughout and after the transition process."  

The House Energy & Commerce Committee is planning a "super Tuesday of its own March 10. 

The Communications Subcommittee will mark up--consider amendments then vote on--11 bills, including one mandating the C-Band auction that the FCC is already committed to holding and one mandating the FCC complete an EEO rulemaking and create a public database of broadcast ownership data. 

The bills on the docket for "super Tuesday": 

"H.R. 451, the 'Don’t Break Up the T-Band Act,' was introduced by Reps. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.), Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.), Al Green (D-Texas) and Peter King (R-N.Y.). The Don’t Break Up the T-Band Act would repeal the requirement on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to reallocate and auction the 470-512 MHz spectrum band, also known as the T-Band. 

Related: FCC's Pai Joins Call to Ax T-Band Auction 

"H.R. 5926, the 'Reinforcing and Evaluating Service Integrity, Local Infrastructure, and Emergency Notification for Today’s Networks Act' or the 'RESILIENT Networks Act,' was introduced by Pallone and Rep. Jerry McNerney (D-Calif.). The RESILIENT Networks Act requires pre-planned coordination among providers of advanced communications service to take effect during times of emergency, including roaming and mutual aid arrangements. It improves coordination between communications providers, 9-1-1 operators and public safety entities. The legislation also includes mechanisms to ensure first responders are provided network outage data to help guide disaster response. 

'H.R. 6096, the 'Reliable Emergency Alert Distribution Improvement Act' or the 'READI Act,' was introduced by Reps. McNerney, Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.), Pete Olson (R-Texas) and Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii). The READI Act amends the Warning, Alert and Response Network Act to include emergency alerts from FEMA as a type of alert that subscribers of mobile service may not block from their devices, as currently, alerts from the President may not be blocked.  

"H.R. 4194, the 'National Suicide Hotline Designation Act,' was introduced by Reps. Chris Stewart (R-Utah) and Seth Moulton (D-Mass.). The National Suicide Hotline Designation Act amends the Communications Act to designate 9-8-8 as the universal dialing code for the Lifeline. It allows states to impose a fee or charge on commercial mobile or IP-enabled voice service subscribers’ bills for the support or implementation of 9-8-8 services.  

"H.R. 5918, the 'Emergency Reporting Act of 2020,' was introduced by Reps. Doris Matsui (D-Calif.), Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.), Mike Thompson (D-Calif.) and Jared Huffman (D-Calif.). The Emergency Reporting Act requires the FCC to establish formal processes to take effect in instances when the FCC activates the Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS). 

"H.R. 1289, the'Preserving Home and Office Numbers in Emergencies Act'; or the 'PHONE Act,' was introduced by Rep. Mike Thompson. The PHONE Act amends the Communications Act to prohibit providers of voice service from reassigning phone numbers of subscribers in an area covered by a major disaster declaration, for the duration of the declaration.  

"H. Res. 549, reaffirming the House of Representatives’ commitment to media diversity and pledging to eliminate barriers to such diversity, was introduced by Rep. Val Demings (D-Fla.).  

"H.R. 3957, the 'Expanding Broadcast Ownership Opportunities Act of 2019,' was introduced by Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.). The Expanding Broadcast Ownership Opportunities Act would reinstate the tax certificate program at the FCC, which would incentivize sales to women and members of minority groups and encourage investment of capital in stations owned by women and members of minority groups. The bill also requires the FCC to make recommendations to Congress for increasing the number of broadcast stations owned by women and members of minority groups and submit to Congress a report every two years that states the total number of broadcast stations that are owned by women and members of minority groups. 

"H.R. 5567, the 'Measuring the Economics Driving Investments and Access for Diversity Act of 2020' or the 'MEDIA Diversity Act of 2020,' was introduced by Reps. Billy Long (R-Mo.) and Marc Veasey (D-Texas). The MEDIA Diversity Act requires the FCC to consider, with the input of its Office of Communications Business Opportunities, market entry barriers for socially disadvantaged individuals in the communications marketplace.   

Related:  FCC Ownership Data Still Bad for Diversity

"H.R. 5564, the 'Enhancing Broadcaster Diversity and Inclusion by Verifying and Ensuring the Reporting required by Statute Is Transpiring and Yielding Data Act' or the 'Enhancing Broadcaster DIVERSITY Data Act,' was introduced by Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.). The legislation requires the FCC to complete its rulemaking reviewing the FCC’s broadcast and cable equal employment opportunity rules. The bill also prohibits the FCC from substantially revising broadcast ownership data reporting requirements and requires the FCC to include an analysis of the data in its communications marketplace report. The bill also requires the FCC to create a public, searchable database of the broadcast ownership data collected by the FCC. 

"H.R. 4855, the 'Clearing Broad Airwaves for New Deployment Act' or the 'C-BAND Act,' was introduced by Doyle, along with Reps. Bill Johnson (R-Ohio), Matsui and Greg Gianforte (R-Mont.). The C-BAND Act requires the FCC to conduct a public auction of no less than 200 MHz and no more than 300 MHz of C-band spectrum by September 30, 2022. It also protects C-band-dependent users by requiring that they continue to receive equal or better service throughout and after the transition process." 

The House Energy & Commerce Committee Communications Subcommittee has approved an omnibus robocall bill. 

The bill is actually now five bills, with four other bills combined with the base bill and approved by voice vote in a markup Tuesday (June 25).

The umbrella bill is H.R. 3375, the “Stopping Bad Robocalls Act, which was amended with the addition of four other bills. The base bill would require carriers to adopt call authentication, something the FCC has urged but did not mandate in a recent vote to clarify that carriers can block unwanted robocalls by default.

The four added bills were:

1. The Ending One-Ring Scams Act of 2019 (HR 3264), which "requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to initiate a proceeding to protect consumers from one-ring-scams, including by working with foreign governments on these scams and by incentivizing carriers to stop calls made to perpetrate one-ring scams, among other things.
2. The Locking Up Robocallers Act of 2019 (H.R. 3325) that "requires the FCC to submit evidence of certain criminal robocall violations to the Department of Justice for criminal prosecution and requires the FCC to publish an annual report disclosing how frequently the FCC submitted such evidence."
3. The Tracing Back and Catching Unlawful Robocallers Act (H.R. 3434), that "requires the FCC to register a consortium of companies engaged in private-led efforts to trace back the origin of suspected unlawful robocalls and creates a certification process for when carriers have or have not participated in a private-led effort to traceback the origin of a suspected unlawful robocall. It also requires the FCC to publish a report on carriers participation in private-led efforts to traceback the origin of suspected unlawful robocalls, and allows the FCC to permit some carriers to not accept calls from carriers facilitating suspected unlawful robocalls among other things."
4. The Spam Calls Task Force Act of 2019 (H.R. 721), which "requires the Attorney General, in consultation with the FCC, to convene an interagency working group to study the enforcement of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). Among other things, the task force shall: (1) determine how federal law and budgetary constraints inhibit enforcement of the TCPA; (2) identify existing and additional policies and programs to increase coordination between federal departments and agencies and the states for enforcing and preventing violations of the TCPA; and (3) identify existing and potential international policies and programs to improve coordination between countries in enforcing the TCPA and similar laws."

The bills now go to full committee for vetting.

FCC commissioner Mignon Clyburn will join House Energy & Commerce Committee Democrats on the Hill Wednesday following a planned speech by FCC chair Ajit Pai about the future of net-neutrality regulation.

Clyburn is the lone remaining FCC commissioner who supported the FCC's 2015 Open Internet order.

Foes of the reversal of the Title II, common-carrier reclassification of ISPs under Democratic FCC chairman Tom Wheeler and President Barack Obama are expecting Pai's speech to lay out the plans for the chairman's expected rollback -- he strongly dissented from the Open Internet order's reclassification -- though some were looking more for a broad brush than a blueprint.

Clyburn has the power to block a rollback, at least temporarily, by not voting the item on circulation, or not showing up at a public meeting where it was scheduled to be voted, or resigning when her term ends at the end of June -- she could stay on until the end of the Congress after this one if she wanted -- or before.

Related: FCC's Clyburn: 'I Still Have Work to Do'

The FCC needs a quorum to approve items and currently is down to three commissioners:, Pai, fellow Republican and Title II reclassification opponent Michael O'Rielly and Clyburn.

Scheduled to appear at the afternoon press conference on the Hill side are ranking member Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), Communications Subcommittee ranking member Mike Doyle (D-Pa.), Doris Matsui (D-Calif.) and Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.).

Pai has been discussing net neutrality with telecom trade groups and edge providers, including how a voluntary commitment to openness regime might work.

Supporters of the FCC's Open Internet order, including Democrats on the Hill, have sworn to fight a pitched battle to preserve it, as they did to get the FCC to pivot toward Title II under Wheeler.

House Energy & Commerce Committee chairman Greg Walden (R-Ore.) outlined a broad agenda for the committee and its Communications Subcommittee on Tuesday (Feb. 14), with items ranging from legislative action on Title II to a comprehensive examination of FCC and NTIA "reauthorization" to accelerated rural broadband deployment to increased oversight of federal cybersecurity initiatives.

At the monthly luncheon of the Media Institute, Walden (pictured) endorsed the "process reforms" that FCC chairman Ajit Pai (who was in the audience) has already introduced. Walden complimented Pai for successfully doing administratively "what Congress has been trying to do legislatively." He singled out Pai's decisions to revoke recent regulations over broadcast joint-sales and shared-service agreements and to rescind certain requirements for noncommercial TV ownership reports.

"We want this business to be vibrant and competitive," Walden said, noting that he expects to "see additional deregulation."

"We don't need antiquated rules like cross-ownership," Walden said.

As for the Open Internet rules, the Commerce chairman said, "Republicans are open to legislative solutions" and that net-neutrality decisions "should be done legislatively." But he acknowledged "it will take time" to develop new procedures, saying, "We have draft legislation" in the works.  

Walden did not respond to queries about a timetable for the congressional review. He chastised the previous FCC leadership's "over-reach" in the Open Internet process.

Although he glazed over his agenda for what he called a long-overdue comprehensive reauthorization of both the Federal Communications Commission and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, Walden said he believes the FCC should be restored to its five-member level (currently the agency has only three Commissioners).

"The Commission should be filled out, the sooner the better," Walden insisted.

On the broader issue of a comprehensive update to the 1996 Telecommunications Act, Walden said he "resists the notion that it will be one bill," preferring to "look at this in modules" affecting various industries, he said, emphasizing that Communications Subcommittee chair Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) will lead the group's decisions on a rewrite.

"If the marketplace can handle [conditions], it should," Walden said. 

Walden called deployment of rural broadband a top priority on the Committee's communications agenda, pulling in examples of the need for wireless broadband. In particular, he emphasized the need to "lower the cost of broadband development."

He told a homespun tale of the need for such capabilities coming up this summer, on Aug. 27: the date of a total solar eclipse where a prime viewing area will be in small towns within his central Oregon district. Walden said there is almost no wireless capability for a stretch of nearly 30 miles around the eclipse epicenter. Then he wondered aloud, looking directly at Pai,  if he "only knew someone who had administrative authority to require coverage in that region." (At that point, Pai jokingly stood up and started to walk away from his table, to the gleeful laughter of the audience.)

Regarding cybersecurity, Walden indicated that the Commerce Committee will examine the ways in which various agencies monitor activities within their sectors to avoid duplication. Citing the threats to power utilities as well as commercial and communications facilities, Walden vowed to work with industry and to "incentivize" the entire ecosystem to prepare for possible digital assaults.

"We don't need every agency to grab a piece of cybersecurity," he added.  "The goals should be how to share information and avoid cyberattacks."

It looks as though Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) will take over the powerful House Energy & Commerce Committee when the new Congress is seated early next year.

That is the committee with primary jurisdiction over the FCC and communications issues.

According to a Hill source, later confirmed by Walden's himself, the steering committee Thursday voted to recommend him as new chairman to the Republican caucus, which will vote for that new chairman Friday (Dec. 2), but the recommendation means Walden will almost certainly get the post.

He was running against Rep. Joe Barton (R-Tex.) and John Shimkus (R-Pa.). Both had seniority, but Walden, chairman of the Communications subcommittee, is very popular among his colleagues, particularly after heading up a congressional campaign funding effort that helped his party hold onto its majority, and most of its seats, in the last election despite predictions it could lose up to a couple of dozen.

Current E&C chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.) was term-limited, so must give up that post. Walden was also term-limited in his subcommittee chairmanship. Had he not gotten the E&C post, there was some speculation he might be in the conversation for FCC chair or commissioner. He is a former broadcaster popular in those circles as well.

“I am deeply honored to earn the support of my colleagues to chair this incredibly important committee," Walden said following the vote. "Americans are looking for big improvements out of Washington, and that’s just what we’re going to give them as we work with the Trump Administration, the Senate, and the governors, to move forward on the Better Way agenda.  Our work will focus on what’s best for consumers, on creating better paying jobs and providing patient-centered health care.

“I commend my friends and fellow committee members, former Chairman Joe Barton and Subcommittee Chairman John Shimkus, for stepping forward to compete for this chairmanship.  They are talented legislators and leaders to whom I will turn for help as we embark on our legislative work. I also want to thank outgoing Chairman Fred Upton who proved again yesterday with overwhelming passage of the 21st Century Cures legislation, that our committee does great, bipartisan work for the American people."

Walden said subcommittee chairmanships, including his own replacement, won't be made until after the steering committee sets new committee rosters in early January.

“Like the Chicago Cubs, we are a team full of MVPs and Energy and Commerce will be in great hands with my friend Greg Walden holding the gavel," said Upton. "Greg’s leadership with #SubCommTech demonstrated his hard work and proven record of success,” said Upton. “We’ve got a lot to do in the remaining days of this Congress, including getting 21st Century Cures across the finish line. As we look toward a new year, a new Congress, and a new administration, the Energy and Commerce Committee will be leading the way on health reform, keeping energy affordable, and putting folks back to work. House Republicans have a better way, and I look forward to Greg Walden’s leadership in the 115th Congress.”

“I congratulate Congressman Walden on his selection as the new Chairman of this great Committee," said Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), ranking member of the commmittee. "[I] look forward to working with him to address the pressing needs of the American people. The Energy and Commerce Committee has a long and proud history of bipartisanship, and I’m confident that we can continue that tradition in the coming years.” 

“As a subcommittee chairman responsible for much of the House’s legislative tech portfolio, Greg Walden and I have worked well together to conduct oversight and pass important legislation benefiting the public," said Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune (R-S.D.). "I congratulate him on receiving the full committee gavel and look forward to continuing our efforts to enact legislation benefiting all Americans."

Their respective committees share oversight over the FCC and communications issues.

“We wish to congratulate incoming Chairman Greg Walden on his election as Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee," said Chip Pickering, CEO of INCOMPAS and himself a former vice chairman of the Energy & Commerce Committee. "He has demonstrated himself to be an open, fair and substantive public servant, dedicated to rural communities, innovation and broadband growth. We look forward to working with him and the entire Committee on ways to improve and expand technology networks of the future."

"We congratulate Rep. Walden on his selection as chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee in the upcoming Congress," said Michael Powell, president of NCTA: The Internet & Television Association. "Chairman Walden is a thoughtful policymaker with extensive experience and deep knowledge of issues surrounding telecommunications, technology and other important sectors of the U.S. economy.  We look forward to working Chairman Walden and the full Committee on a productive agenda that encourages private capital investment, supports ongoing innovation and promotes the growth of our national economy.”

"NAB congratulates Greg Walden on his selection to be the next chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Rep. Walden's career has been marked by accomplishment and integrity," said National Association of Broadcasters President Sen. Gordon Smith. "We look forward to working with him and other members of Congress and the Committee in the new Congress."

“TIA has worked with Rep. Walden for several years in his role as chairman of the Communications Subcommittee, and we know he understands the enormous economic and employment contributions of U.S. telecom and tech companies," said Telecommunications Industry Association interim CEO David Heard. "He’s been a leader on key ICT issues, including his instrumental role in the passage of the landmark Spectrum Act in 2012. We’re confident that, as chairman of the full committee, he will continue to seek pro-growth policies that encourage private sector investment, support our nation’s spectrum needs, and help maintain America’s innovation leadership.

“We look forward to working with Chairman Walden and all members of the Energy and Commerce Committee. Their work in the years ahead will play a critical role in advancing life-changing consumer technologies and in shaping the future of the U.S. economy and our role in the world.”