Hon. Paul E. Gillmor: “the telecommunications bill we are introducing today is one of the most important bills to be considered in Congress in…”

“the telecommunications bill we are introducing today is one of the most important bills to be considered in Congress in many years, and its passage will have a tremendous impact in America for decades to come. If this legislation is enacted, the law will begin to foster economic and technological development, instead of hamper it. The bill will provide consumers and businesses new communications services, an increase in choices in the marketplace, more competition and better prices. The bill represents the biggest single deregulation of a major industrial sector in American history, involving one-seventh of the U.S. economy and affecting virtually every American citizen. In addition to the provisions of the main bill, I have introduced a measure to allow public utilities to enter the telecommunications industry. Right now utility companies have the technological capacity to offer cable and telephone services, but they do not have the legal capacity. This legislation I am sponsoring with Representative Rick Boucher would allow public utilities this entry, further increasing competition and reducing prices for consumers.”