National Telecommunications and Information Administration Reauthorization Act of 2025

Floor Speech

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Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis), for yielding. I really support and thank the gentleman for the work that he has done on this legislation to get it to where we are today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2482, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Reauthorization Act of 2025, which I am pleased to lead with the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, my good friend, the gentlewoman from the Seventh District of California (Ms. Matsui).

The NTIA is an agency within the Department of Commerce tasked with advising the President on matters related to telecommunications policy. It is responsible for a variety of activities, which include Federal spectrum management, administration of broadband grants, internet governance, representing the United States in international telecommunication forums, and developing cybersecurity policy.

As the chairman has mentioned, Congress has not reauthorized NTIA since 1992, before many of these responsibilities existed or were relevant. This legislation ensures that NTIA has the right structure and resources to fulfill its 21st century mission as directed by Congress.

Today's NTIA plays a key role in our effort to maintain global leadership in wireless communications. NTIA has important statutory obligations to manage Federal spectrum, which is especially important as Federal and non-Federal use of spectrum has intensified with the explosion of mobile phones and new connected technologies.

We must make sure NTIA's leadership reflects the important role it plays today, both domestically and internationally.

This legislation elevates the NTIA Administrator from an Assistant Secretary of Commerce to an Under Secretary of Commerce. This elevation will help NTIA best represent the United States as it coordinates with other agencies and works with other countries.

Finally, this legislation will codify two key offices within the NTIA, the Office of Spectrum Management and the Office of International Affairs.

NTIA's role has drastically changed since it was last reauthorized, and I appreciate the work from the agency and my colleagues to update its authorizing statute.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2482, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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