STELA Reauthorization Act of 2014
Floor Speech
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Mr. LATTA. I thank the gentleman, the chairman of the subcommittee, for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4572, the STELA Reauthorization Act.
For the last several months, Members of Congress have been earnestly engaged in collaborative discussions and a great deal of work regarding the reauthorization of the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act. This must-pass legislation is key to ensuring that over 1.5 million consumers of satellite television service do not lose access to programming they rely on when the current measure is set to expire at the end of this year.
Through Chairmen UPTON'S and WALDEN'S thoughtful leadership, the STELA Reauthorization Act also includes a few discrete and narrow reforms to laws governing the video marketplace. These reforms represent a critical step forward in modernizing our communications laws to reflect the rapidly evolving, dynamic, and competitive communications marketplace we have today.
I am especially pleased that a provision from my bipartisan bill, H.R. 3196, with Congressman Gene Green was included in this measure to eliminate the current set-top box integration ban. Repealing this outmoded technological mandate will foster greater investment and innovation in the set-top box market but, more importantly, will help decrease the cost of delivery to consumers.
Since the FCC adopted the integration ban, we have seen a tremendous amount of progress and competition in the video marketplace organically developed outside the set-top box retail market, all absent government regulation. Now, given the myriad devices and means through which consumers can access video content, the integration ban is an unnecessary regulation that does not reflect the state of competition, technological advancements, or consumer demands of today.
The elimination of the integration ban, along with the few other targeted reforms included in STELA, underscores the bipartisan commitment to ensuring that our communication laws maximize the potential for investment, innovation, and consumer choice.
I once again commend Chairmen UPTON and WALDEN for their leadership in this effort.
Our priority in reauthorizing STELA has long been to ensure a continuity of service for satellite subscribers, and today's vote marks a critical step toward fulfilling that responsibility.
I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' and support this bipartisan legislation.
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