On the recordMarch 6, 2018
I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support the RAY BAUM'S Act. It is fitting that this bill be named for him, a shining example of public service and a great friend. My heart goes out to his wife and all his family and loved ones. Mr. Speaker, this legislation reauthorizes the FCC for the first time in 28 years. I am proud of the inclusion of two of my bipartisan bills. First is the Rural Spectrum Accessibility Act, which Mr. Loebsack and I introduced. It expands access to coverage in rural communities by allowing licensed, unused spectrum to be sub-allocated to carriers serving rural populations. The second is the Improving Broadband Access for Veterans Act, which Mr. McNerney and I introduced. It requires the FCC to thoroughly examine veterans' access to broadband and provide recommendations to increase access, especially for rural and low-income veterans. Again, this legislation is one more example to show the majority of the work done in Congress is bipartisan and sometimes even bicameral. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman and everybody for working together to get this done, and I urge my colleagues to support the RAY BAUM'S Act.
