Federal Communications Commission Consolidated Reporting Act of 2015

Floor Speech

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Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 734, the FCC Consolidated Reporting Act of 2015. Congress has charged the Federal Communications Commission with overseeing industries that make up one-sixth of our national economy. The communications and technology sectors are driving economic growth across the Nation, connecting businesses to markets large and small and delivering innovative new products and services to consumers.

As part of this critical mission, Congress has tasked the FCC with compiling reports to provide the public with information about these dynamic markets. Democrats and Republicans agree that the FCC needs to collect good data. Consumers and businesses rely on this information, and we here in Congress need this information, too, in order to make sound policy decisions and conduct effective oversight of the FCC.

Mr. Speaker, by consolidating certain reports and eliminating references to other outdated reports, this bill allows the FCC to use the agency's limited resources more wisely and present a more holistic analysis of the communications marketplace. At the same time, we have worked together to ensure this effort to promote efficiency does not undermine important existing FCC obligations and authorities. We were able to come to agreement in the Energy and Commerce Committee on language that preserves the FCC's duty to provide transparency to consumers about their cable bills and does not alter the FCC's authority over broadband under section 706.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Communications and Technology Subcommittee Ranking Member Eshoo for her leadership on these issues and Chairman Upton, Chairman Walden, and Representative Scalise for working with Democrats to address their concerns during the committee's consideration of the bill.

In short, this bill is an example of the progress we can make when we engage in a truly bipartisan process. The consideration of H.R. 734 should be a model for legislative efforts in our committee and the entire House. Working together through regular order, we crafted legislation that addressed concerns from both sides of the aisle, and I look forward to continuing to work with our Republican and Democratic colleagues in the Senate to help this bill become law.

I reserve the balance of my time, Mr. Speaker.

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