We are not against AT&T, we are not against the ILECs. AT&T is a proud American company.

I think what Mr. Dingell said is it is just on the mark. We need to get going.

Seventeen years ago, the 1996 act stated its intention, quote, 'to promote competition and encourage the rapid development or deployment of new telecommunication technologies.'

Our commitment to universal service is a recognition that all of us benefit when everyone is connected.

I agree with Mr. Cicconi that we need the FCC as an expert agency to help guide the evolution to an all-IP network.

Some things never change, one of which is the enduring truth of free-functioning, competitive markets.

Based on some of the testimony we heard today, one might think that we are evaluating a new network being built across the country.

Since the days of a black rotary phone, Americans have been able to count on the phone network to call friends and family.

Now, for the rest of public policy and for everybody else, given the importance and complexity of transitioning voice services to an all-IP network, wouldn't it make sense to have a trial overseen by the FCC to help collect data based on…

I don't think not having trials is an acceptable answer because I think it would in essence be the government saying, we are not going to plan for this.

So even if they choose not to offer telephone service, that doesn't lead you to the conclusion that we ought to eliminate the rules for all telephone services.

I do agree we need to move on a test. We just need to move forward.

The cuts, because of the sequester and everything else, I have heard a few of the comments about significant impacts...

Bill Young, obviously, felt those responsibilities deeply. He carried them out for an extraordinary length of time--almost 43 years.

the statement that this shutdown is the fault of Republicans, when Republicans have repeatedly voted to keep the government open, is simply false.

I would remind my colleagues that incessantly repeating a falsehood does not make it a truth.

I would remind my friend from New Hampshire that three times the House voted to fund the government.

This is a Kafkaesque moment, and the solution isn't to have a hearing to pillory someone for doing his job.