NE Washington News

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) delivered opening remarks at a Subcommittee on Communications and Technology hearing titled “The Fiscal Year 2025 National Telecommunications and Information Administration Budget.”

McMorris Rodgers began by addressing the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's (NTIA) role in managing federal spectrum use and awarding funds to deploy broadband. She recalled a letter she had sent with Chair Latta following the last NTIA oversight hearing, which questioned whether the NTIA was encouraging rate regulation by states participating in the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program.

She quoted from the response, stating that the NTIA would consider any definition proposed by an 'eligible entity,' provided it met BEAD statute standards. McMorris Rodgers agreed that the NTIA is bound to that statute when implementing the BEAD program but expressed concern over reports of states being pushed to include rate-regulated options in their initial proposals for BEAD funding.

McMorris Rodgers also voiced concerns about states veering away from technology-neutral principles mandated by law and engaging in rate regulation of broadband service. She emphasized that such actions could jeopardize the success of the BEAD program and hinder its mission to connect as many Americans as possible.

On a positive note, McMorris Rodgers acknowledged that NTIA is working with agencies to streamline the permitting process for BEAD recipients. However, she cautioned against creating a permitting regime that only benefits government-funded projects, potentially discouraging investment and widening the digital divide.

McMorris Rodgers concluded her remarks by discussing shared priorities like making spectrum available for commercial use. She praised NTIA's transparency in releasing its National Spectrum Strategy Implementation Plan, which provides a roadmap for ensuring America leads in spectrum use. Lastly, she touched upon issues surrounding the Affordability Connectivity Program, calling for bipartisan cooperation instead of finger-pointing.