Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, again, as we come here to talk about this, I join and associate myself with the gentleman from Utah and also the other comments that have been made here. We are looking to protect consumers. I enjoy the opportunity to go forward and look at an issue which we are supportive of: consumer choice.

As a member of the Judiciary Committee's IP Subcommittee, I believe if a consumer has met their contractual obligations with a service provider, then they should have the right to unlock and use the device with another carrier.

Our Nation's intellectual property law should prioritize three things: innovation, creation, and competition. Frankly, holding consumers hostage to their carrier fails to pass the smell test in this category.

We live in an age where consumers want choice, access, and freedom. Although carriers may have to evolve and develop to address the changes that this legislation may have on their business models, I am confident that any changes made will only better serve the consumer and promote competition.

It is with that in mind that I understand the gentleman from Colorado, and I understand the thought, because I actually had passed and do support the larger measure that came out of the Judiciary Committee. But also, in taking into account, there is a process here in which I believe that immediate help to consumers is the bigger issue and would be willing and will work, as I have stated before, for the larger measures that have been talked about here before. However, to hold this bill as it is and say this is not something to move forward on I can't accept and would urge all Members to accept this bill. It is a process of moving forward.

I do not believe that there is picking sides here. In fact, what I believe is happening here is we are protecting consumers and moving the discussion down the line. That is what we are sent here to do, and I believe this is a good balance between the two.

I respect the gentleman from Colorado and, Mr. Speaker, believe that we can work further on this, but this is a bill that needs to be passed today so we can move on and protect our consumers.

Mr. Chairman, I appreciate your work and the work of the committee in doing so. This is a matter of consumers, this is a matter of choice, and we need to make sure that this body stands for that.

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