Preventing Illegal Radio Abuse Through Enforcement Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. Speaker, I rise to support H.R. 5709, the Preventing Illegal Radio Abuse Through Enforcement Act, otherwise known as the PIRATE Act.

Unauthorized radio operators, called pirate broadcasters, are a growing threat to the public airwaves. Not only do they cause an annoyance by interfering with news and entertainment programs of legitimate broadcasters, but they pose a serious risk in time of emergencies by preventing the public from hearing critical public safety alerts and messages. And they put their own listeners at risk because they are not equipped to carry these messages.

They may also interfere with the communication channels of important agencies like the Federal Aviation Administration.

The FCC has stepped up its enforcement against pirate broadcasters, but we can do more. The bill before us today increases the fines that can be levied against pirate broadcasters from $10,000 per day, currently, to $100,000 per day. It also sets a maximum penalty of $2 million for pirate broadcasters and those that knowingly and intentionally facilitate pirate broadcasters.

The bill also ensures that the FCC continues its sustained enforcement efforts on pirate broadcasters, while balancing the other important missions of the enforcement bureau and its field staff.

State and local prosecutors can be partners in this effort. The bill ensures that laws prohibiting pirate broadcasters enacted by States and cities are not preempted.

H.R. 5709 is a bipartisan, commonsense bill. And, yes, I agree with my colleague here about what a good bill this is. I thank the authors, Mr. Lance and Mr. Tonko, for the very hard work they put into this measure, and I urge my colleagues to support it today.

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Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, once again, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5709, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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