This bill would give the FCC the authority to protect consumers now and in the future through forward-looking regulatory authority.

What can businesses like yours do to partner with early education centers to start to introduce these kinds of programs at the grade school level?

I call it the three A's--awareness, access to educational opportunities, and what I call attitude...

And it also seems to me that, you know, community colleges and other institutions in the area I think need to do a better job talking to employers...

I can't tell you how frustrating that is when we see this disconnect between what--you know, the jobs that are out there and the skill sets people need.

I had convened a group of 30 CEOs in my city, and I asked them what kept them awake at night, you know, taxes, government regulation. It was none of those things.

I am afraid he is going to steal my employees.

Investments in next generation broadband networks are important to reach unserved communities like mine in Southwest Missouri and help close the digital divide.

Today's hearing gives us the opportunity to hear about how the American public can benefit from the proposed merger of T-Mobile and Sprint.

What guarantees do rural providers have that they won't face increased costs if T-Mobile doesn't adopt Sprint's practices?

I believe it is the duty of this subcommittee to allow our members to publicly discuss and debate the merits of these transactions.

Before we get started, I want to express my condolences to Congresswoman Debbie Dingell on the loss of her husband, John.

This hearing isn't about the benefits that both of your companies have brought to the market. It is about the extraordinary impact that your combined company could have on the public and the marketplace if this merger goes through.

I have seen a lot of mergers in this industry and others and it is hard to think of one where consolidation didn't result in people losing their jobs, prices going up, and innovation being stifled.

I was born in 1955. John Dingell was sworn into Congress in 1955.

CWA's testimony suggests that this merger will result in up to 30,000 job losses in the industry and a reduction in industry pay by as much as $3,000 per employee.

I supported Chairman Doyle's resolution of disapproval of Chairman Pai's rule because it is pretty irresponsible for Chairman Pai to roll back the Wheeler order without putting in any other, you know, enforceable protections for consumers.

I believe this is one of the most important digital rights issues we face today.

I believe strongly in the power of competition to spark innovation, expand access, and give consumers a better experience at a lower price.

Today's hearing is on Net Neutrality. I believe this is one of the most important digital rights issues we face today.

Let me be clear, this repeal had far greater impact than just removing the FCC's Net Neutrality rules.

I think it is time to end the uncertainty for consumers and businesses, do our job, legislate net neutrality.

Until strong open internet protections are enacted, our only hope is the millions of Americans who are fed up and will hold Congress accountable for passing strong net neutrality laws.

Without a change, there is no backstop to make sure big corporations can't use their power over the choke points of the internet to undermine and silence their small competitors or the political opposition.

Let me be clear. This repeal had far greater impact than just removing the FCC's net neutrality rules.