Political Quotes

“I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the communications sector is one of the most innovative, competitive, and robust sectors of our economy. But for innovation and investment in communications to continue, we must not weigh industry down with needless red tape and delay. Now, despite the lackluster overall economy, the communications and technology market continues to grow at a very rapid pace. In fact, in 2012, Mr. Speaker, the industry invested $68 billion in broadband infrastructure alone. That totals $1.2 trillion invested in upgrading broadband infrastructure networks since just 1996--$1.2 trillion. Communications and technology companies, as well as the consumers that enjoy their products and benefit from their services, deserve a transparent and responsive government agency. While agency process has improved under recent chairmen, this legislation will ensure that reforms remain in place from one administration to the next. Even with the positive changes at the Commission, recent examples of bad processes have resulted in what I would say are dangerous outcomes at the Commission. To wit, late last year, the Federal Communications Commission issued a notice for a study that would call into question the editorial decisions of journalists in their own newsrooms, which I think threatens their First Amendment rights. Somehow, an item as controversial as this study made it all the way through the FCC without so much as a Commission vote.…”