Political Quotes

“Today, we are offering a bill that will ensure that 1.5 million subscribers in hard-to-reach areas, including many in my home State of Oregon, will continue to receive vital news and information through the television. The STELA Reauthorization Act extends the copyright and retransmission consent provisions for distant signals retransmitted by commercial satellite providers for 5 years. Our committee has worked hard on this bill. We have engaged members of industry and consumer groups, and we have talked about the difficult policy matters that affect all consumers when it comes to video programming. Every member of our committee, on both sides of the aisle, has engaged with industry and consumers to figure out the right policy and to get to the right outcome, which we bring to you today. Our bill not only reauthorizes the compulsory copyright and retransmission exemption for 5 years, but it also targets and, in some areas, gives much-needed reforms to our communications law. Specifically, this bill repeals the FCC's integration ban on cable- leased set-top boxes. That clears the way for innovation and investment by lifting an unnecessary regulatory burden that has cost the cable industry and its consumers who pay the $1 billion--$1 billion, Mr. Speaker--since 2007. I especially want to thank my friend, the extraordinary, terrific vice chair of the Telecommunications Subcommittee, Mr.…”