Bob Latta: “I thank the gentleman, the chairman of the subcommittee, for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R.…”

“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.…”