Satellite and Telecommunications Streamlining Act

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1338, the Satellite And Telecommunications Streamlining Act, or the SAT Streamlining Act.

Within the last decade, satellite capabilities have jumped leaps and bounds. We have seen significant advancements in satellites providing broadband internet and other services to consumers and the public throughout the country and the world. While this is beneficial to all, it is especially helpful to those living in areas where other types of technologies have not been built out yet due to geographic considerations and other factors.

These technological breakthroughs are a positive step forward for our country, but it is evident that other countries, including our foreign adversaries, are also aggressively trying to dominate this industry. It is imperative that Congress act now to retain our country's leadership position in the satellite marketplace.

H.R. 1338 helps to accomplish this goal. This bill will enhance the competitiveness of our Nation's satellite industry by requiring the FCC to set reasonable rules to prevent harmful interference as satellites utilize spectrum to communicate with one another and with base stations on Earth. It does not expand the FCC's jurisdiction over the space industry. Instead, it sets new rules of the road with respect to the licensing of electromagnetic spectrum, which is needed to operate satellite systems.

For instance, it establishes application requirements for the licensing of the spectrum and sets forth the guidelines for how and when the FCC should consider these applications and the timeframes for doing so.

We must implement these solutions to ensure the United States remains competitive with our counterparts across the globe, including China, in producing cutting-edge consumer innovations and fortifying our public safety and national security capabilities.

The Energy and Commerce Committee, Mr. Speaker, has traditionally worked in a bipartisan fashion on key telecommunications matters, and I commend Chair Rodgers for continuing this tradition with this legislation. Unfortunately, though, another bipartisan bill that I led with Chair Rodgers that unanimously passed out of the committee would have directly addressed the threat of adversaries deploying their satellite systems for use by U.S. customers. H.R. 675, the Secure Space Act, would extend the framework Congress adopted in the bipartisan Secure and Trusted Communications Network Act to satellite operators. This framework ensures that foreign adversaries cannot use our communications network for espionage and disruption.

The Energy and Commerce Committee, and then the full Congress passed last year then-Minority Whip Scalise's bipartisan legislation to extend that framework to the FCC's equipment authorization process.

It surprised and disappointed me that some members of the Republican caucus are objecting to the Secure Space Act--again, a bill passed unanimously out of the Energy and Commerce Committee. Unfortunately, it can't go forward without amendments limiting its scope, and therefore its effect, in keeping unquestionably bad actors from infiltrating our networks.

We should be passing this bill today rather than allowing a small extreme minority in the House Republican caucus to have veto power over a policy that is so important to our national security and that a significant majority of this House favors. It is unfortunate that the Republican majority continues to cave to the extreme elements of their party.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R.

Mr. Speaker, I listened to what Mr. Beyer said, and I know that some of the leadership on the Science, Space, and Technology Committee are opposed to this bill. I will say that despite the Science, Space, and Technology Committee's claims, H.R. 1338, the Satellite And Telecommunications Streamlining Act does not infringe on the Science, Space, and Technology Committee's jurisdiction or grant the FCC new authority with respect to space safety and orbital debris.

Instead, this bill streamlines existing FCC licensing procedures so the commercial satellite operators can more easily obtain the necessary spectrum rights to launch their satellite systems into space.

Because the bill deals directly with access to spectrum and the FCC's management of it, this legislation falls squarely within the jurisdiction of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

To the extent the bill references space safety and orbital debris, it is in the context of ensuring that the FCC acts within the bounds of the rules adopted by the U.S. Government for orbital debris mitigation.

Specifically, the language in the bill simply directs the FCC to align any licensing requirements that it may impose on satellite operators concerning orbital debris and space safety--which it can do today consistent with its existing authority--with the orbital debris and space safety practices established by NASA and others.

Mr. Speaker, mandating such action is good government as it reduces the likelihood of conflicting standards or requirements and ensures that government continues to speak with one voice on these important matters.

Nevertheless, recognizing the Science Committee's concerns, language has now been added to the bill to make it crystal clear that this legislation does not give the FCC any new authority on space safety and orbital debris.

Finally, for those Members suggesting that the Department of Commerce does not support this bill, I want to be clear that this is not true. In reality, the Department of Commerce has not taken a position on this bill.

For all these reasons, Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1338 is a worthwhile bill, I urge all my colleagues to support it, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this bill on a bipartisan basis. The committee voted this out, again, on a bipartisan basis. I think it is very important, and I assure my Science Committee colleagues this does not impinge on their jurisdiction.

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