[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 70 (Monday, April 28, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H1657-H1661]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION
REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2025
Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 2482) to reauthorize the National Telecommunications and
Information Administration, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 2482
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``National
Telecommunications and Information Administration
Reauthorization Act of 2025'' or the ``NTIA Reauthorization
Act of 2025''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act
is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
TITLE I--REAUTHORIZATION
Sec. 101. Reauthorization of the National Telecommunications and
Information Administration Organization Act.
Sec. 102. NTIA Consolidated Reporting Act.
TITLE II--OFFICE OF SPECTRUM MANAGEMENT
Sec. 201. Office of Spectrum Management.
TITLE III--OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
Sec. 301. Office of International Affairs.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the Federal
Communications Commission.
(2) NTIA.--The term ``NTIA'' means the National
Telecommunications and Information Administration.
(3) Under secretary.--The term ``Under Secretary'' means
the Under Secretary of Commerce for Communications and
Information.
TITLE I--REAUTHORIZATION
SEC. 101. REAUTHORIZATION OF THE NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS
AND INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION ORGANIZATION
ACT.
(a) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 151 of the
National Telecommunications and Information Administration
Organization Act is amended by striking ``$17,600,000 for
fiscal year 1992 and $17,900,000 for fiscal year 1993'' and
inserting ``$57,000,000 for fiscal year 2025 and $57,000,000
for fiscal year 2026''.
(b) Under Secretary of Commerce for Communications and
Information.--
(1) Under secretary; deputy under secretary.--
(A) Under secretary.--The National Telecommunications and
Information Administration Organization Act (47 U.S.C. 901 et
seq) is amended by striking ``Assistant Secretary'' each
place it appears and inserting ``Under Secretary''.
(B) Deputy under secretary.--Section 103(a) of the National
Telecommunications and Information Administration
Organization Act (47 U.S.C. 902(a)) is amended by adding at
the end the following:
``(3) Deputy under secretary.--The Deputy Under Secretary
of Commerce for Communications and Information shall--
``(A) be the principal policy advisor of the Under
Secretary;
``(B) perform such other functions as the Under Secretary
shall from time to time assign or delegate; and
``(C) act as Under Secretary during the absence or
disability of the Under Secretary or in the event of a
vacancy in the office of the Under Secretary.''.
(2) Continuation of civil actions.--This subsection, and
the amendments made by this subsection, shall not abate any
civil action commenced by or against the Assistant Secretary
of Commerce for Communications and Information before the
date of the enactment of this Act, except that the Under
Secretary shall be substituted as a party to the action on
and after such date.
(3) Continuation in office.--The individual serving as the
Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and
Information and the individual serving as the Deputy
Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and
Information on the day before the date of the enactment of
this Act may serve as the Under Secretary and the Deputy
Under Secretary of Commerce for Communications and
Information, respectively, on and after that date without the
need for renomination or reappointment.
(4) References.--Any reference in a law, regulation,
document, paper, or other record of the United States to the
Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and
Information shall, on and after the date of the enactment of
this Act, be deemed to be a reference to the Under Secretary.
[[Page H1658]]
(5) Executive schedule.--
(A) In general.--Subchapter II of chapter 53 of title 5,
United States Code, is amended--
(i) in section 5314, by adding at the end the following:
``Under Secretary of Commerce for Communications and
Information.''; and
(ii) in section 5315, in the item relating to the Assistant
Secretaries of Commerce, by striking ``(11)'' and inserting
``(10)''.
(B) Effective date.--The amendment made by subparagraph (A)
(establishing the annual rate of the basic pay of the Under
Secretary) shall take effect on the first day of the first
pay period beginning after the date of the enactment of this
Act.
(c) Authorities and Responsibilities.--
(1) Coordination of executive branch views on matters
before the federal communications commission.--Section
105(a)(1) of the National Telecommunications and Information
Administration Organization Act (47 U.S.C. 904(a)(1)) is
amended--
(A) by striking ``to ensure that the conduct'' and
inserting the following: ``to ensure that--
``(A) the conduct'';
(B) in subparagraph (A), as so designated, by striking the
period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) the views of the executive branch on matters
presented to the Commission are, consistent with section
103(b)(2)(J)--
``(i) appropriately coordinated; and
``(ii) reflective of executive branch policy.''.
(2) Assigned functions.--Section 103(b)(2) of the National
Telecommunications and Information Administration
Organization Act (47 U.S.C. 902(b)(2)) is amended--
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting
``, some of which were'' before ``transferred to the
Secretary''; and
(B) in subparagraph (M), by inserting ``, publish
reports,'' after ``studies''.
(3) Rule of construction.--Nothing in the amendments made
by paragraphs (1) and (2) may be construed to expand or
contract the authority of the Commission.
(d) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Public telecommunications financing act of 1978.--
Section 106(c) of the Public Telecommunications Financing Act
of 1978 (5 U.S.C. 5316 note; Public Law 95-567) is amended by
striking ``The position of Deputy Assistant Secretary of
Commerce for Communications and Information, established in
Department of Commerce Organization Order Numbered 10-10
(effective March 26, 1978),'' and inserting ``The position of
Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Communications and
Information, established under section 103(a) of the National
Telecommunications and Information Administration
Organization Act (47 U.S.C. 902(a)),''.
(2) Communications act of 1934.--Section 344(d)(2) of the
Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 344(d)(2)) is amended
by striking ``Assistant Secretary'' and inserting ``Under
Secretary''.
(3) Homeland security act of 2002.--Section 1805(d)(2) of
the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 575(d)(2)) is
amended by striking ``Assistant Secretary for Communications
and Information of the Department of Commerce'' and inserting
``Under Secretary of Commerce for Communications and
Information''.
(4) Agriculture improvement act of 2018.--Section 6212 of
the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (7 U.S.C. 950bb-6) is
amended--
(A) in subsection (d)(1), in the heading, by striking
``Assistant secretary'' and inserting ``Under secretary'';
and
(B) by striking ``Assistant Secretary'' each place the term
appears and inserting ``Under Secretary''.
(5) Title 17, united states code.--Section 1201(a)(1)(C) of
title 17, United States Code, is amended by striking
``Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information of
the Department of Commerce'' and inserting ``Under Secretary
of Commerce for Communications and Information''.
(6) Unlocking consumer choice and wireless competition
act.--Section 2(b) of the Unlocking Consumer Choice and
Wireless Competition Act (17 U.S.C. 1201 note; Public Law
113-144) is amended by striking ``Assistant Secretary for
Communications and Information of the Department of
Commerce'' and inserting ``Under Secretary of Commerce for
Communications and Information''.
(7) Communications satellite act of 1962.--Section
625(a)(1) of the Communications Satellite Act of 1962 (47
U.S.C. 763d(a)(1)) is amended, in the matter preceding
subparagraph (A), by striking ``Assistant Secretary'' and
inserting ``Under Secretary of Commerce''.
(8) Spectrum pipeline act of 2015.--The Spectrum Pipeline
Act of 2015 (47 U.S.C. 921 note; title X of Public Law 114-
74) is amended--
(A) in section 1002(1), in the heading, by striking
``Assistant secretary'' and inserting ``Under secretary'';
and
(B) by striking ``Assistant Secretary'' each place the term
appears and inserting ``Under Secretary''.
(9) Warning, alert, and response network act.--Section 606
of the Warning, Alert, and Response Network Act (47 U.S.C.
1205) is amended--
(A) by striking ``Assistant Secretary'' each place the term
appears and inserting ``Under Secretary''; and
(B) in subsection (b), in the first sentence, by striking
``for7Communications'' and inserting ``for Communications''.
(10) American recovery and reinvestment act of 2009.--
Section 6001 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of
2009 (47 U.S.C. 1305) is amended by striking ``Assistant
Secretary'' each place the term appears and inserting ``Under
Secretary''.
(11) Middle class tax relief and job creation act of
2012.--Title VI of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job
Creation Act of 2012 (47 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.) is amended--
(A) in section 6001 (47 U.S.C. 1401)--
(i) by striking paragraph (4);
(ii) by redesignating paragraphs (5) through (32) as
paragraphs (4) through (31), respectively; and
(iii) by inserting after paragraph (31), as so
redesignated, the following:
``(32) Under secretary.--The term `Under Secretary' means
the Under Secretary of Commerce for Communications and
Information.''; and
(B) by striking ``Assistant Secretary'' each place the term
appears and inserting ``Under Secretary''.
(12) Ray baum's act of 2018.--The RAY BAUM'S Act of 2018
(division P of Public Law 115-141; 132 Stat. 348) is amended
by striking ``Assistant Secretary'' each place the term
appears and inserting ``Under Secretary''.
(13) Secure and trusted communications networks act of
2019.--Section 8 of the Secure and Trusted Communications
Networks Act of 2019 (47 U.S.C. 1607) is amended--
(A) in subsection (c)(1), in the heading, by striking
``Assistant secretary'' and inserting ``Under secretary'';
and
(B) by striking ``Assistant Secretary'' each place the term
appears and inserting ``Under Secretary''.
(14) Title 51, united states code.--Section 50112(3) of
title 51, United States Code, is amended, in the matter
preceding subparagraph (A), by striking ``Assistant
Secretary'' each place the term appears and inserting ``Under
Secretary''.
(15) Consolidated appropriations act, 2021.--The
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Public Law 116-260) is
amended--
(A) in title IX of division N--
(i) in section 902(a)(2), in the heading, by striking
``Assistant secretary'' and inserting ``Under secretary'';
(ii) in section 905--
(I) in subsection (a)(1), in the heading, by striking
``Assistant secretary'' and inserting ``Under secretary'';
(II) in subsection (c)(3)(B), in the heading, by striking
``assistant secretary'' and inserting ``under secretary'';
and
(III) in subsection (d)(2)(B), in the heading, by striking
``assistant secretary'' and inserting ``under secretary'';
and
(iii) by striking ``Assistant Secretary'' each place the
term appears (except the place such term appears in section
905(a)(13)(E)) and inserting ``Under Secretary''; and
(B) in title IX of division FF--
(i) in section 903(g)(2), in the heading, by striking
``Assistant secretary'' and inserting ``Under secretary'';
and
(ii) by striking ``Assistant Secretary'' each place the
term appears and inserting ``Under Secretary''.
(16) Infrastructure investment and jobs act.--The
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58) is
amended--
(A) in section 27003, by striking ``Assistant Secretary''
each place the term appears and inserting ``Under
Secretary'';
(B) in division F--
(i) in section 60102--
(I) in subsection (a)(2)(A), by striking ``Assistant
secretary'' and inserting ``Under secretary'';
(II) in subsection (d)(1), by striking ``Assistant
secretary'' and inserting ``Under secretary''; and
(III) in subsection (h)--
(aa) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking ``assistant
secretary'' and inserting ``under secretary''; and
(bb) in paragraph (5)(B)(iii), by striking ``assistant
secretary'' and inserting ``under secretary'';
(ii) in title III--
(I) in section 60302(5), by striking ``Assistant
secretary'' and inserting ``Under secretary''; and
(II) in section 60305(d)(2)(B)(ii), by striking ``assistant
secretary'' and inserting ``under secretary'';
(iii) in section 60401(a)(2), by striking ``Assistant
secretary'' and inserting ``Under secretary''; and
(iv) by striking ``Assistant Secretary'' each place the
term appears and inserting ``Under Secretary''; and
(C) in division J, in title I, in the matter under the
heading ``distance learning, telemedicine, and broadband
program'' under the heading ``Rural Utilities Service'' under
the heading ``RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS'', by striking
``Assistant Secretary'' and inserting ``Under Secretary''.
SEC. 102. NTIA CONSOLIDATED REPORTING ACT.
(a) Elimination of Certain Outdated or Completed Reporting
Requirements.--
(1) BTOP quarterly report.--Section 6001(d) of the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (47 U.S.C. 1305(d)) is
amended--
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking the semicolon at the end
and inserting ``; and'';
[[Page H1659]]
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a
period; and
(C) by striking paragraph (4).
(2) Certain reports required by national telecommunications
and information administration organization act.--Sections
154, 155, and 156 of the National Telecommunications and
Information Administration Organization Act are repealed.
(3) Initial report required by section 9202(a)(1)(G) of the
ndaa for fiscal year 2021.--Section 9202(a)(1)(G) of the
William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (47 U.S.C. 906(a)(1)(G)) is
amended--
(A) in clause (ii), by redesignating subclauses (I), (II),
and (III) as clauses (i), (ii), and (iii), respectively, and
conforming the margins of such clauses accordingly; and
(B) by striking ``Reports to congress'' and all that
follows through ``For each fiscal year'' and inserting
``Annual report to congress.--For each fiscal year''.
(4) Report to president.--Section 105(a) of the National
Telecommunications and Information Administration
Organization Act (47 U.S.C. 904(a)) is amended--
(A) by striking paragraph (2); and
(B) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2).
(5) Effect on authority.--Nothing in this subsection or the
amendments made by this subsection may be construed to expand
or contract the authority of the Secretary, the Under
Secretary, the NTIA, or the Commission.
(6) Other reports.--Nothing in this subsection or the
amendments made by this subsection may be construed to
prohibit or otherwise prevent the Secretary, the Under
Secretary, the NTIA, or the Commission from producing any
additional reports otherwise within the authority of the
Secretary, the Under Secretary, the NTIA, or the Commission,
respectively.
(b) Consolidated Annual Report.--
(1) In general.--In the first quarter of each calendar
year, the Under Secretary shall publish on the website of the
NTIA and submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report that
contains the reports described in paragraph (2) for the
fiscal year ending most recently before the beginning of such
quarter.
(2) Reports described.--The reports described in this
paragraph are the following:
(A) The report required by section 903(c)(2)(C) of division
FF of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (47 U.S.C.
1307(c)(2)(C)).
(B) If amounts in the Public Wireless Supply Chain
Innovation Fund established by section 9202(a)(1)(A)(i) of
the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (47 U.S.C.
906(a)(1)(A)(i)) were available for the fiscal year described
in paragraph (1) of this subsection, the report required by
section 9202(a)(1)(G) of such Act (47 U.S.C. 906(a)(1)(G)).
(C) If the Under Secretary awarded grants under section
60304(d)(1) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (47
U.S.C. 1723(d)(1)) in the fiscal year described in paragraph
(1) of this subsection, the report required by section
60306(a)(1)(A) of such Act (47 U.S.C. 1725(a)(1)(A)).
(3) Timing of underlying reporting requirements.--
(A) Report of office of internet connectivity and growth.--
Section 903(c)(2)(C) of division FF of the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2021 (47 U.S.C. 1307(c)(2)(C)) is
amended--
(i) in the matter preceding clause (i)--
(I) by striking ``Not later than 1 year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, and every year thereafter,'' and
inserting ``In the first quarter of each calendar year,'';
and
(II) by inserting ``, for the fiscal year ending most
recently before the beginning of such quarter,'' after ``a
report''; and
(ii) in clause (i), by striking ``for the previous year''.
(B) Report on digital equity grant programs.--Section
60306(a)(1) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (47
U.S.C. 1725(a)(1)) is amended--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking
``Not later than 1 year'' and all that follows through
``shall--'' and inserting the following: ``For the first
fiscal year in which the Under Secretary awards grants under
section 60304(d)(1), and each fiscal year thereafter in which
the Under Secretary awards grants under such section, the
Under Secretary shall--''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (A)--
(I) by inserting ``in the first quarter of the first
calendar year that begins after the end of such fiscal
year,'' before ``submit''; and
(II) by striking ``, for the year covered by the report''.
(4) Satisfaction of underlying reporting requirements.--
(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B),
the publication and submission of a report as required by
paragraph (1) in the first quarter of a calendar year shall
be treated as satisfying any requirement to publish or
otherwise make publicly available or to submit to Congress or
to a committee of Congress a report described in paragraph
(2) for the fiscal year ending most recently before the
beginning of such quarter.
(B) Certain submission requirements.--At the time when the
Under Secretary submits a report required by paragraph (1) to
the committees described in such paragraph, the Under
Secretary shall submit any portion of such report that
relates to a report described in paragraph (2)(C) to each
committee of Congress not described in paragraph (1) to which
such report would (without regard to subparagraph (A) of this
paragraph) be required to be submitted.
(5) Applicability.--Paragraph (1), and the amendments made
by paragraph (3), shall apply beginning on January 1 of the
first calendar year that begins after the date of the
enactment of this Act.
(c) Extension of Certain Audit and Reporting
Requirements.--Section 902(c)(4)(A) of division N of the
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (47 U.S.C.
1306(c)(4)(A)) is amended by striking ``fiscal years 2021 and
2022'' and inserting ``fiscal years 2021, 2022, 2023, and
2024''.
(d) Definition.--In this section, the term ``Secretary''
means the Secretary of Commerce.
TITLE II--OFFICE OF SPECTRUM MANAGEMENT
SEC. 201. OFFICE OF SPECTRUM MANAGEMENT.
Part A of the National Telecommunications and Information
Administration Organization Act (47 U.S.C. 901 et seq.) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 106. OFFICE OF SPECTRUM MANAGEMENT.
``(a) Establishment.--There is established within the NTIA
an Office of Spectrum Management (in this section referred to
as the `Office').
``(b) Head of Office.--
``(1) In general.--The head of the Office shall be an
Associate Administrator for Spectrum Management (in this
section referred to as the `Associate Administrator').
``(2) Requirement to report.--The Associate Administrator
shall report to the Under Secretary (or a designee of the
Under Secretary).
``(c) Duties.--The Associate Administrator shall, at the
direction of the Under Secretary--
``(1) carry out responsibilities under section 103(b)(2)(A)
(relating to frequency assignments for radio stations
belonging to and operated by the United States), make
frequency allocations for frequencies that will be used by
such stations, and develop and maintain techniques,
databases, measurements, files, and procedures necessary for
such allocations;
``(2) carry out responsibilities under section 103(b)(2)(K)
(relating to establishing policies concerning spectrum
assignments and use by radio stations belonging to and
operated by the United States) and provide Federal agencies
with guidance to ensure that the conduct of
telecommunications activities by such agencies is consistent
with such policies;
``(3) represent the interests of Federal agencies in the
process through which the Commission and the NTIA jointly
determine the National Table of Frequency Allocations, and
coordinate with the Commission in the development of a
comprehensive long-range plan for improved management of all
electromagnetic spectrum resources;
``(4) appoint the chairpersons of and provide secretariat
functions for the Interdepartmental Radio Advisory Committee;
``(5) carry out responsibilities under section 103(b)(2)(B)
(relating to authorizing a foreign government to construct
and operate a radio station at the seat of Government of the
United States) and assign frequencies for use by such
stations;
``(6) provide advice and assistance to the Under Secretary
and coordinate with the Associate Administrator for
International Affairs in carrying out spectrum management
aspects of the international policy responsibilities of the
NTIA, including spectrum-related responsibilities under
section 103(b)(2)(G);
``(7) carry out spectrum-related responsibilities under
section 103(b)(2)(H) (relating to coordination of the
telecommunications activities of the executive branch and
assistance in the formulation of policies and standards for
such activities);
``(8) carry out spectrum-related responsibilities under
section 103(b)(2)(Q) (relating to certain activities with
respect to telecommunications resources); and
``(9) carry out any other duties of the NTIA with respect
to spectrum policy that the Under Secretary may designate.''.
TITLE III--OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
SEC. 301. OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS.
Part A of the National Telecommunications and Information
Administration Organization Act (47 U.S.C. 901 et seq.), as
amended by the preceding provisions of this Act, is further
amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 107. OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS.
``(a) Establishment.--There is established within the NTIA
an Office of International Affairs (in this section referred
to as the `Office').
``(b) Head of Office.--
``(1) In general.--The head of the Office shall be an
Associate Administrator for International Affairs (in this
section referred to as the `Associate Administrator').
``(2) Requirement to report.--The Associate Administrator
shall report to the Under Secretary (or a designee of the
Under Secretary).
``(c) Duties.--The Associate Administrator shall, at the
direction of the Under Secretary--
[[Page H1660]]
``(1) in coordination with the Secretary of State, conduct
analysis of, review, and formulate international
telecommunications and information policy;
``(2) present on international telecommunications and
information policy--
``(A) before the Commission, Congress, and others; and
``(B) in coordination with the Secretary of State, before
international telecommunications bodies, including the
International Telecommunication Union;
``(3) conduct or obtain analysis on economic and other
aspects of international telecommunications and information
policy;
``(4) formulate, and recommend to the Under Secretary,
polices and plans with respect to preparation for and
participation in international telecommunications and
information policy activities;
``(5) in coordination with the Secretary of State,
coordinate NTIA and interdepartmental economic, technical,
operational, and other preparations related to participation
by the United States in international telecommunications and
information policy conferences and negotiations;
``(6) ensure NTIA representation with respect to
international telecommunications and information policy
meetings and the activities related to preparation for such
meetings;
``(7) in coordination with the Secretary of State,
coordinate with Federal agencies and private organizations
engaged in activities involving international
telecommunications and information policy matters and
maintain cognizance of the activities of United States
signatories with respect to related treaties, agreements, and
other instruments;
``(8) provide advice and assistance related to
international telecommunications and information policy to
other Federal agencies charged with responsibility for
international negotiations, to strengthen the position and
serve the best interests of the United States in the conduct
of negotiations with foreign nations;
``(9) provide advice and assistance to the Under Secretary
with respect to evaluating the international impact of
matters pending before the Commission, other Federal
agencies, and Congress;
``(10) carry out, at the request of the Secretary, the
responsibilities of the Secretary under the Communications
Satellite Act of 1962 (47 U.S.C. 701 et seq.) and other
Federal laws related to international telecommunications and
information policy; and
``(11) carry out any other duties of the NTIA with respect
to international telecommunications and information policy
that the Under Secretary may designate.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Florida (Mr. Bilirakis) and the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs.
Dingell) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.
General Leave
Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material in the Record on this particular bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Florida?
There was no objection.
Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2482, as amended, the NTIA
Reauthorization Act, led by my good friend, Chairman Latta.
Mr. Speaker, the National Telecommunications and Information
Administration plays a critical role in today's communications
ecosystem, but Congress has not reauthorized NTIA since 1992.
The NTIA Reauthorization Act ensures that NTIA has the tools it needs
for today's needs. It elevates the head of the NTIA to an
Undersecretary of Commerce to reflect the important role that NTIA
plays. It eliminates unnecessary reports, codifies two critical
offices, and authorizes NTIA for 2 years.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2482, and I reserve
the balance of my time.
Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2482, the National
Telecommunications and Information Administration Reauthorization Act.
Over the 4 years of the Biden administration, the National
Telecommunications and Information Administration, or NTIA, did
tremendous work to help connect all Americans to high-speed, reliable,
and affordable broadband. The historic $65 billion in broadband
investments that we included in the bipartisan infrastructure law are
helping supercharge these efforts.
It is now time for the Trump administration's NTIA to unleash the
rest of this funding so that States can connect as many Americans as
possible to fast, reliable, and affordable internet.
Congress has also tasked NTIA with other meaningful responsibilities.
The agency manages Federal spectrum and its users, as well as
coordinates with the Federal Communications Commission to ensure that
our airwaves are effectively managed in a safe and secure manner. It is
also charged with advising the President on advanced technologies.
Mr. Speaker, a lot has changed since the NTIA was last reauthorized
in 1992. We should ensure that it continues to have the authorities it
needs to implement many of our Nation's broadband efforts and
technological advancements in such areas as spectrum management and
artificial intelligence.
H.R. 2482 helps achieve this goal. This bipartisan bill reauthorizes
the NTIA and elevates its leadership by making its administrator an
undersecretary within the Department of Commerce. Taking these
important steps will better reflect NTIA's importance as the
President's primary adviser on telecommunications and technology
policy. This bill also includes important provisions to codify NTIA's
current work and responsibilities.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
Ranking Member Matsui and Representative Latta for their bipartisan
work on this bill. With this legislation, we ensure that NTIA has the
authorities it needs to continue connecting all Americans to high-
speed, reliable, and affordable broadband and overseeing innovative
technology development.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to
support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to
the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Latta), the chairman of the Energy
Committee and my good friend, a legislative machine in my opinion.
Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend, the gentleman from
Florida (Mr. Bilirakis), for yielding. I really support and thank the
gentleman for the work that he has done on this legislation to get it
to where we are today.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2482, the National
Telecommunications and Information Administration Reauthorization Act
of 2025, which I am pleased to lead with the ranking member of the
Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, my good friend, the
gentlewoman from the Seventh District of California (Ms. Matsui).
The NTIA is an agency within the Department of Commerce tasked with
advising the President on matters related to telecommunications policy.
It is responsible for a variety of activities, which include Federal
spectrum management, administration of broadband grants, internet
governance, representing the United States in international
telecommunication forums, and developing cybersecurity policy.
As the chairman has mentioned, Congress has not reauthorized NTIA
since 1992, before many of these responsibilities existed or were
relevant. This legislation ensures that NTIA has the right structure
and resources to fulfill its 21st century mission as directed by
Congress.
Today's NTIA plays a key role in our effort to maintain global
leadership in wireless communications. NTIA has important statutory
obligations to manage Federal spectrum, which is especially important
as Federal and non-Federal use of spectrum has intensified with the
explosion of mobile phones and new connected technologies.
{time} 1615
We must make sure NTIA's leadership reflects the important role it
plays today, both domestically and internationally.
This legislation elevates the NTIA Administrator from an Assistant
Secretary of Commerce to an Under Secretary of Commerce. This elevation
will help NTIA best represent the United States as it coordinates with
other agencies and works with other countries.
Finally, this legislation will codify two key offices within the
NTIA, the Office of Spectrum Management and the Office of International
Affairs.
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NTIA's role has drastically changed since it was last reauthorized,
and I appreciate the work from the agency and my colleagues to update
its authorizing statute.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2482, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from
California (Ms. Matsui), the ranking member of the Communications and
Technology Subcommittee and a leader in this field.
Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Dingell for yielding
me time, and I thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Latta), my friend,
for his bipartisan partnership on this important issue.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the NTIA Reauthorization Act.
We introduced this bill to ensure America continues to stand as a
global leader in communications and technology.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration, or
NTIA, plays a vital role in ensuring the United States' strong
technological leadership.
This Federal agency is integral for getting people connected,
ensuring we can communicate in emergencies, and bolstering our
cybersecurity infrastructure. Yet, Congress has not reauthorized NTIA
in over 30 years.
The pace of innovation and demand for connectivity has increased
dramatically over the last few years. We need strong leadership and
expertise to help us meet this demand.
NTIA advises on the rapid deployment of artificial intelligence and
manages the efficient uses of our airways. NTIA is also charged with
carrying out the bipartisan infrastructure law's historic $65 billion
investment to expand affordable and reliable high-speed internet access
to communities across America, communities like the Sacramento region
where, just 20 minutes outside the city, rural areas still suffer major
gaps in broadband coverage.
Progress to close the digital divide, however, is currently at a
standstill. This critical broadband funding must not be delayed. We
cannot risk changes that waste taxpayer dollars and strand Americans
with less affordable and more expensive internet.
We need NTIA to get back to helping our communities access Federal
funding. This includes giving our States the flexibility to move ahead
with their plans to expand affordable internet to the tens of millions
of Americans who still lack access.
While I am glad and very happy to co-lead this bipartisan bill to
modernize NTIA's mission in areas like Federal spectrum management and
international negotiations, I know there is a lot of work ahead.
Today, we must pass this legislation to empower NTIA to keep the
United States as the leader of global tech.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this
legislation.
Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Maryland (Mrs. McClain Delaney).
Mrs. McCLAIN DELANEY. Mr. Speaker, I, too, rise in strong support of
H.R. 2482.
Today, I am so pleased to support this long-overdue reauthorization
of NTIA, a small but mighty agency housed within the Department of
Commerce.
This important agency is esteemed by both public and private
stakeholders around the globe, and it is staffed by incredibly
experienced engineers, technical experts, and tech policy professionals
who understand the breadth and depth of telecom and AI impacting our
country.
I say this because I had the privilege of recently serving as the
Deputy Assistant Secretary and Deputy Administrator of NTIA, this
amazing agency. I well understand how much the world and telecom policy
have changed since NTIA was reauthorized by Congress over three decades
ago. A lot has happened since then.
This legislation, as my colleague said, does make it better ``fit for
purpose'' by codifying the important Office of Spectrum Management, the
division which oversees the spectrum allocations for our country's
agencies. During the past few years, I watched it work to finalize our
national strategy on spectrum and represent our country at the ITU
World Radio Conference and other technical conferences.
This is important because this technical work is key and underpins
our U.S. competitiveness and national security and paves the way for
new technologies to thrive through the reallocation of spectrum,
spectrum like 6G, and its work on technical standards vis-a-vis China
and other international players.
Moreover, this legislation codifies its international office to work
on tech issues raised in international venues, such as the EU and ITU,
public wireless supply chains, and national competitiveness issues. As
my colleague said, it is very important for the resources for the
broadband division in its work on finally rolling out the rest of the
broadband grants for universal high-speed internet access and to
finally close the digital divide.
Lastly, I can't help but say the public safety division is essential
for NG911 services and FirstNet.
I commend the committee for this much-needed network, and I ask my
colleagues to join me in support.
Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge our colleagues on both
sides of the aisle to support H.R. 2482, and I yield back the balance
of my time.
Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Latta and Ranking Member
Matsui for this very important, vital bill.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage a ``yes'' vote on this particular bill, and
I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 2482, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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