Greg Walden

It has been 20 years since Congress passed TCPA, and the world of telecommunications has changed.

Today's hearing is an opportunity for our subcommittee to explore an age-old problem with legislation: How do we ensure the laws on the books makes sense, given new technologies and the evolving marketplace?

I now yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Stearns), who chairs our very important Oversight Subcommittee and who has done extraordinary work in looking into some of these programs, not necessarily on the…

I now yield such time as he may consume to the author of the legislation, a very valuable member of our Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, the gentleman from New Hampshire (Mr. Bass).

I would say up front that one of the two cement plants that your regulations put great burdens on is in my district, Durkee, Oregon.

Our national debt is really the threat, and that is really what is encumbering all our discussions here in Washington right now.

If we don't control the debt, there is not going to be additional money.

We can enact the biggest jobs bill in the Congress that actually creates private-sector jobs throughout the land.

We want to ensure that the scarce and valuable spectrum that the public owns is put to its best and highest use.

I am a firm believer that open and fair public processes can lead to better public policy outcomes.

We must balance that need with the recognition that regulatory overreach could curb the ability of entrepreneurs to invest, innovate, and create jobs and new technologies.

We want to make sure Americans have adequate information regarding how data about them and their Internet use is collected, used, and shared.

I hope you will work with me to craft legislation that will safeguard American's personal information.

As consumers are increasingly living their lives on the Internet--and even more on their Smartphones--concern is obviously growing over electronic communications privacy.

It is clear that businesses need to collect some information for their operational needs.

I would argue that it is nothing more than a high-tech form of economic and social discrimination.

This is the kind of process I'd like to see used more often at the FCC.

These talks continue to make progress, and I appreciate the good faith commitment of the staffs to this work.

Congress has the authority and I believe the responsibility to ensure that the Agency... does so with transparency and accountability.

Chairman Genachowski explained that the agency has already improved the transparency of the Commission in several regards.

I am convinced we can find common ground.

I view that legislative language as a starting point for today's conversation.

By direction of the Republican Conference, I send to the desk a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration. The Clerk read the resolution, as follows: H. Res. 303 Resolved, That the following named Members be, and are…

Your testimony has been very helpful to our committee to hear from all of you.

I look forward to working with my colleagues in crafting solutions.