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House Commerce Committee to focus on spectrum, privacy and cybersecurity
Cybersecurity, process reform at the Federal Communications Commission, privacy and spectrum policy issues will dominate the technology agenda for the House Energy and Commerce Committee this fall.
“The American public is desperate for more jobs, and Energy and Commerce Republicans understand the fundamental economic principle that reducing regulatory burdens is imperative to spur job growth and economic recovery," said Chairman Fred Upton in a statement accompanying the fall agenda.
"Our future depends on our economic growth, and our economic growth depends on our regulatory future."
The subcommittee on Manufacturing will be tasked with examining privacy issues such as such how information about consumers is collected and used online. The committee has already held hearings on the issue and is expected to take part in the upcoming debate over comprehensive privacy legislation.
Meanwhile, the Telecom subpanel will be focused on broadband and spectrum policy, specifically approving legislation that would authorize the FCC to conduct incentive auctions to free up spectrum for mobile broadband.
Finally, the subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations will make improving the nation's cybersecurity a top priority, particularly critical infrastructure including the electric grid and communications networks.
A string of high-profile cyber-attacks over the past year has helped build bipartisan momentum for comprehensive cybersecurity legislation, including an unprecedented legislative proposal from the White House.
Cybersecurity experts have warned for years that the threat has quickly outstripped the nation's ability to respond or protect its networks, and have argued that updates to the laws governing digital security are badly overdue.
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