National Telecommunications and Information Administration Reauthorization Act of 2024

Floor Speech

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Mrs. TRAHAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4510, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Reauthorization Act.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration, or NTIA, has done tremendous work to help connect all Americans to high- speed, reliable, and affordable broadband. The historic $65 billion in broadband investments we included in the bipartisan infrastructure law last Congress are supercharging those efforts. I have confidence that NTIA is doing all that it can with this funding to connect as many Americans as possible to fast, reliable, and affordable internet.

Congress has also tasked NTIA with other meaningful responsibilities. The agency manages Federal spectrum and its users and coordinates with the Federal Communications Commission to ensure that our airwaves are effectively managed in a safe and secure manner. It is also charged with advising the President on advanced technologies.

A lot has changed since the NTIA was last reauthorized in 1992. We should ensure that it continues to have the authorities it needs to implement many of the Nation's broadband efforts and technological advancements in such areas as spectrum management and artificial intelligence.

H.R. 4510 helps achieve this goal. This bipartisan bill reauthorizes NTIA and elevates its leadership by making its Administrator an Under Secretary within the Department of Commerce. Taking these important steps will better reflect NTIA's importance as the President's primary adviser on telecommunications and technology policy.

This legislation also includes the text of several bipartisan bills the Energy and Commerce Committee has worked on this Congress and last Congress. It includes the PLAN for Broadband Act, co-led by Representatives Kuster and Walberg, which directs the NTIA to develop a national strategy to close the digital divide. As part of this strategy, the agency must develop a plan to monitor the consistency, affordability, and quality of broadband services supported by Federal broadband programs.

It also includes Representative Allred's Open RAN Outreach Act and two bills co-led by Representative Eshoo to address cybersecurity issues.

This bill also includes important provisions to codify NTIA's current work and responsibilities. It would firmly establish NTIA's role in public safety communications. From managing Next Generation 911 grants to overseeing FirstNet to its important first responder work at the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences, NTIA plays an important role in ensuring that the public and law enforcement agencies have a modern and reliable communications network. I am pleased that this bill cements NTIA's public safety possibilities.

I also want to note that this bill incorporates feedback to address questions and concerns that we heard from other committees, including the Armed Services Committee, the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, and the Intelligence Committee. The staffs have had productive discussions about these important issues. Among other things, we have improved NTIA's ability to file classified information with the FCC on behalf of other agencies.

We have also agreed to work further with our colleagues to better develop methods for advancing NTIA's spectrum management capabilities. I am pleased that we could find a path forward to vote on this bill today, and I thank the chairs, ranking members, and staff of these three committees for their cooperation.

I also thank Chair Rodgers, Communications and Technology Subcommittee Ranking Member Matsui, and Chairman Latta for their bipartisan work on this bill. With this legislation, we ensure that NTIA has the authorities it needs to continue both connecting all Americans to high-speed, reliable, and affordable broadband and overseeing innovative technological developments.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4510, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mrs. TRAHAN. Madam Speaker, this reauthorization of NTIA is bipartisan legislation that ensures that NTIA will have the authority it needs to continue both connecting Americans to high-speed, reliable, and affordable broadband and overseeing innovative technological developments.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4510, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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