Rep. Matsui Applauds FCCs National Broadband Plan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, March 25, 2010

CONTACT: MARA LEE
(202) 225-7163

This morning, Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui (CA-05) participated in the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet federal oversight hearing examining the progress of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in their development of The National Broadband Plan. A central recommendation proposed in the National Broadband Plan is the inclusion of expanding Lifeline/Link-up for universal broadband adoption in its proposed reforms to Universal Service Fund (USF.) This recommendation is similar to legislation Rep. Matsui introduced last year, the Broadband Affordability Act (H.R. 3646). Additionally, she highlighted her plans to introduce legislation in the coming weeks that would compliment many of the FCC's recommendations on Smart Grid technology. Representative Matsui's opening statement, as prepared for delivery is below:

Chairman Boucher, thank you for calling today's hearing. I would also like to thank Chairman Genachowski, and Commissioners Copps, Clyburn, Baker, and McDowell for being here with us this morning and for their work on the National Broadband Plan.

I would also like to commend Blair Levin and the FCC Broadband Team for their hard work and thoughtfulness in crafting a bold and visionary Plan. Though no plan of this magnitude can be perfect, this Plan demonstrates American leadership and will serve as a blueprint for the world to follow. I m particularly pleased that the Plan aims to close this nation's digital divide by recognizing the fact that millions of Americans, particularly in such economic times, simply can t afford the high-cost of broadband.

Last September, I introduced the Broadband Affordability Act that would expand the USF Lifeline Assistance Program for universal broadband adoption, to help ensure all Americans, living in urban, suburban, and rural areas have access to affordable broadband services. I applaud the FCC for including my proposal, as a central recommendation to increase broadband adoption rates among lower income households in the National Broadband Plan. In doing so, we will take a major step towards truly closing the digital divide, and I look forward to working with my colleagues, and with the FCC to make this a reality.

The Plan also recognizes the importance of allocating more spectrum into the marketplace, and ways to improve our nation's education, infrastructure, health care, public safety systems, as well as, our anchor institutions, and promoting competition in our economy. The Plan recognizes the critical role that broadband plays in moving our nation toward a more sustainable path of greater energy independence and efficiency, by including a series of recommendations to modernize our nation's Smart Grid.

I plan to introduce legislation in the coming weeks that would compliment many of the FCC recommendations on Smart Grid so this nation can promote a smarter electric grid, that empowers consumers to make choices that can save us energy, and can save them money.

I am looking forward to working with my colleagues and the Commission on overseeing and implementing many of the important initiatives recommended in the National Broadband Plan.