Full Committee Markup

Committee on Commerce

2025-03-04

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Source: Congress.gov

Summary

This meeting of the Energy and Commerce Committee marked the first legislative markup of the 119th Congress, focusing on a series of bills that had previously passed the House with strong bipartisan support, many of which were carried over from the last Congress [ 00:11:23-00:11:42 ] [ 00:12:15-00:12:15 ] . The committee aimed to advance legislation addressing technological advancement, cybersecurity, supply chain resilience, and consumer safety . Chairman Brett Guthrie emphasized the committee's rich bipartisan history and the collaborative spirit in moving these bills forward [ 00:11:27-00:11:35 ] .

Themes

Enhancing Wireless Connectivity and Innovation

The committee considered bills to improve wireless services and strengthen U.S. leadership in telecommunications [ 00:12:05-00:12:07 ] . The Precision Agriculture Satellite Connectivity Act (H.R. 1618) mandates the FCC to review and make recommendations for rule changes to promote the use of satellite technology in precision agriculture, ensuring farmers in rural areas have essential broadband access . The ITS Codification Act (H.R. 1455) aims to codify the Institute for Telecommunications Sciences (ITS) to ensure its vital work in radio frequency testing continues to advance U.S. wireless leadership . Additionally, the Promoting United States Wireless Leadership Act (H.R. 1765) seeks to ensure American companies lead in international standard-setting bodies for 5G, 6G, and future wireless technologies, directly countering China's growing influence .

Strengthening Cybersecurity and Supply Chain Resilience

Several legislative proposals focused on enhancing the nation's cybersecurity posture and securing critical supply chains against foreign adversaries . The NTIA Policy and Cybersecurity Coordination Act (H.R. 1766) formalizes the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's (NTIA) role in cybersecurity policy development by establishing a dedicated office to coordinate efforts and protect communication networks from threats . The Understanding Cybersecurity Mobile Networks Act (H.R. 1709) directs the NTIA to assess and report on the cybersecurity of mobile networks to identify vulnerabilities and develop protections against malicious actors like China and Russia . The Diaspora Link Act (H.R. 1737) mandates a study on the feasibility of a transatlantic undersea fiber optic cable to Africa, aiming to enhance U.S. military and civilian communications while countering Chinese investments in the region . To bolster economic resilience, the Global Investment in American Jobs Act (H.R. 1679) seeks to attract more foreign direct investment to the U.S., supporting American manufacturing and reducing reliance on countries like China . Lastly, the Critical Infrastructure Manufacturing Feasibility Act (H.R. 1721) directs the Secretary of Commerce to study the feasibility of domestic manufacturing for critical infrastructure products, mitigating vulnerabilities caused by foreign supply chain dependence .

Consumer Product Safety and Technological Advancement

The committee also addressed consumer safety through specific legislation and the integration of new technologies . The Awning Safety Act of 2025 (H.R. 1767) instructs the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to create a safety standard for fixed freestanding awnings, in memory of Dr. Michael Nat, who tragically died in an awning accident . This bill aims to prevent future tragedies by making household products safer . Additionally, H.R. 1770 establishes an AI pilot program for the CPSC to utilize artificial intelligence in identifying dangerous products and advances blockchain technology to protect consumers and ensure data integrity .

Tone of the Meeting

The tone of the meeting was overwhelmingly bipartisan and cooperative [ 00:11:27-00:11:35 ] [ 00:12:15-00:12:15 ] . Speakers frequently highlighted the bipartisan support for the bills, many of which passed unanimously or by voice vote in previous sessions or the current markup [ 00:15:40-00:15:40 ]

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. There was a strong sense of unity in addressing national security, economic competitiveness, and public safety . The discussion around the Awning Safety Act also conveyed a deep sense of empathy and a desire to prevent future tragedies in honor of those who have suffered . The chairman explicitly thanked staff for their hard work in ensuring a smooth and collaborative markup process .

Participants

Transcript

All right.
Thank you.  All right, I'll use this one.  Thank you for being here for our first legislative markup for the 119th Congress.  This committee has a rich bipartisan history, which will continue in that spirit.   with the bills we've worked together on today.  And each of these bipartisan pieces of legislation, each of these pieces of legislation was passed by the House last Congress.  And I'm proud that we'll be moving these forward.  And I think specifically unless you're a freshman member, you either voted for these in committee as they are with maybe technical changes or on the floor, except for the freshmen.  We must make sure that government stands ready to partner with innovators to continue promoting technological advancement   One bill proposed today will help improve wireless service for farmers utilizing precision agriculture.  Another will work to improve American cybersecurity and protect our networks from bad actors.  Together, these bills can help to prepare our infrastructure to withstand cyber threats, while also ensuring our wireless infrastructure is calibrated to the needs of the 21st century.  I thank the sponsors for their leadership.   and continue work getting the bills across the finish line.  We'll also be continuing our work to shore up America's supply chains and secure our critical infrastructure.  Our adversaries are constantly launching threats to our supply chains, especially in critical industries, emphasizing the need for greater resiliency.  Legislation like the Global Investment in American Jobs Act will help attract more investment in the United States, supporting our American workers.   Bolstering American manufacturing and reducing our reliance on China should be priorities for us all, and I look forward to advancing legislation to do that.  Next, we will consider legislation to protect Americans from potentially dangerous products and technologies.  The Awning Safety Act of 2025 will instruct the CPSC to create a safety standard for fixed freestanding awnings in memory of Dr. Michael Nat who tragically lost his life in an awning accident.   I again want to thank all the sponsors and advocates who helped us make this legislation the best it can be.
I always say the work we do here in the House affects people in their homes, and I think that is on display with the legislation we are considering today.  We have a lot more work to do this Congress, but I'm proud that we are able to start with this bipartisan legislation that unites this committee in securing American leadership and eliminating unnecessary risks to people's safety.  I thank you all for the work.   and I thank everybody for working together, and I look forward to advancing these bills to the full House, and I will yield back my time, and I now recognize the gentleman from New Jersey, Representative Pallone, for five minutes for an opening statement.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.  Today, the committee, as you said, is marking up 12 bills that passed out this committee in the full House last Congress with strong bipartisan support.  And I support all these bills and hope that we can get them to the House floor soon.  But I wanted to particularly discuss one bill, the Awning Safety Act.   which would require the Consumer Product Safety Commission to create a mandatory safety standard for fixed and freestanding retractable awnings.  Today, there is no standard, voluntary or mandatory, for these awnings, and injuries continue to mount.  So two years ago, Dr. Michael Natt, the father of five, including a former Energy and Commerce Committee staff member, tragically died as a result of an incident involving a retractable awning.   And we have to ensure that other American families do not suffer the same fate because of the problems with retractable awnings.  So I just wanted to mention that.  And thank you again, Mr. Chairman.  I yield back the balance of my time.
Well, I guess I better turn this mic up here.  The gentleman yields back.  The chair reminds members that pursuant to the committee rules, all members' opening statements were made part of the record.  Are there further opening statements?   Are there further opening statements?  Seeing none, now recognize, I'm sorry, the chair calls up HR 1618 and asks the clerk to report.
HR 1618, a bill to require the Federal Communications Commission to review certain rules of the commission
and develop recommendations for rule changes to promote precision agriculture.
Without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with, and the bill will be open for amendment at any time so ordered.  Does anyone seek to be recognized on the bill?  Mr. Chairman?  Yes.  Write the last word.

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