It is important that we foster a competitive video marketplace and ensure that all Americans continue to receive access to unbiased local news reports, up-to-the-minute weather updates, and critical information during emergencies.

This subcommittee has a duty to ensure that local broadcasters retain the ability to invest in infrastructure and programming that keeps all Americans connected to their communities.

It's important that we foster a competitive video marketplace AND ensure that all Americans continue to receive access to unbiased local news reports, up-to-the-minute weather updates, and critical information during emergencies.

For 30 years, Congress has also played a key role in ensuring that rural Americans who are unable to receive an over-the-air broadcast network signal, are able to receive local news and content via direct broadcast satellite services.

All of us rely on our local broadcasters for news, emergency updates, weather, traffic, community engagement, and local interest programming.

It is important for us to examine the state of the video marketplace, but as we approach a potential sixth reauthorization of STELAR, we need to take a hard look at the underlying policy and its relevance today rather than assuming its passage is a necessity.

I appreciate the subcommittee holding this hearing today and I thank our panel of witnesses for testifying.

Well, thank you, Madam Chair. And thank you very much for holding today's hearing.

I commend her for her work, and stand committed to working with her in a bipartisan way to implement policies that could reduce these tragedies.

Today, we have the opportunity to discuss the bipartisan efforts this subcommittee can make to promote the development and deployment of different technologies that have the potential to address some of these concerns and, ultimately, save thousands of lives.

I believe our work on the SELF DRIVE Act was an example of this committee at its best, working together in an open process on technology that will save lives.