Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I also rise in support of H.R. 583, the Preventing Illegal Radio Abuse Through Enforcement Act, the PIRATE Act, introduced by my friends Mr. Tonko and Mr. Bilirakis. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Tonko and Mr. Bilirakis for their bipartisan efforts to combat illegal pirate radio operations. This bill gives the Federal Communications Commission, along with State and local law enforcement, more tools to go after pirate radio operators. Without the ability to effectively go after illegal transmitters, the FCC and other entities cannot protect the over 240 million Americans who rely on radio broadcasting for vital news and entertainment. Furthermore, stopping bad actors from pirating our airwaves improves public safety by preventing unlawful broadcasts from interfering with first responders' lifesaving communications and public safety officials' transmission of critical information in an emergency. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of the PIRATE Act, and I reserve the balance of my time.”