Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH), Vice Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee’s Communications and Technology Subcommittee, along with Ranking Member of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA), Congressman Darrell Issa (R-CA), Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (D-WA), today reintroduced the Wi-Fi Innovation Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation that addresses growing spectrum demand by examining ways to improve spectrum efficiency ...
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The "Internet of Things" has become the latest big thing on Capitol Hill. As more Americans connect to the Internet through everything from fitness bracelets to coffee makers, Congress is looking at ways to spur innovation while ensuring that hackers don't exploit the growing number of smart gadgets to steal personal data. Worried that lawmakers are lagging behind on the rapidly evolving technology, two tech-savvy members of Congress — Reps. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., and Suzan DelBene, D-Wash. — h...
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Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) cosponsored four bills this week to protect consumers’ privacy from unwarranted electronic data collection by the federal government. “Advances in technology and the Internet have dramatically changed the way we communicate, live and work. In this constantly evolving world, Congress must be a good steward of policy to ensure our laws at least keep pace,” DelBene said. “We need to pass measures that protect consumers’ private information while also encouraging...
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Congressional privacy advocates want to block government officials from seizing Americans’ emails and geolocation data without warrants – and they’re optimistic about their chances of scoring a win. Authorities currently can take emails older than 180 days without a warrant, and police departments across the country increasingly are snatching cellphone location data in bulk with high-tech devices. Many Americans “assume there’s a warrant standard for that information,” says Rep. Suzan DelBene, D...
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Lawmakers introduced bipartisan legislation today updating a decades old communications privacy law to better shield Internet users and wireless subscribers from overly broad government surveillance programs. The Online Communications and Geolocation Protection Act, introduced by U.S. Reps. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), Ted Poe (R- Texas), and Suzan DelBene (D- Wash.), modernizes the 1986 Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) by requiring government agencies to obtain a search warrant based on...
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At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas last week, nearly everywhere you turned people were talking about the Internet of Things or IoT. Now, the idea behind these connected devices — everything from smart cars to smart washing machines — is making its way to D.C. Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (D-WA) and Congressman Darrell Issa (R-CA) today announced the formation of the Congressional Caucus on the Internet of Things (IoT). “As someone with a long career in the technology industry and as an...
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Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) commended the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for voting to permanently increase the funding cap of the federal E-rate program by $1.5 billion per year. To ensure that sufficient funding is available for schools and libraries to deploy higher Internet speeds and Wi-Fi in every classroom over the next five years, the FCC voted today to raise the program’s funding cap from $2.4 billion to $3.9 billion per year. “Fulfilling the promise of a world-...
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Congresswoman Suzan DelBene released the following statement on today’s draft order from Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler to permanently increase the funding cap of the federal E-rate program, which has provided vital assistance to schools and libraries with the cost of telecommunications and Internet services since 1997: “Today’s announcement brings us one step closer to the goal of connecting every school and library to high-speed broadband over the next five years...
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Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene welcomed the announcement from a Whatcom County hearing examiner that they have rejected a controversial BBC Broadcasting Inc. proposal to erect 150-foot radio transmission towers in Point Roberts. “Point Roberts citizens’ voices were heard, and this is the right decision by the hearing examiner,” said Congresswoman DelBene. “The proposed towers could negatively impact the quality of life for residents in this community, and I will continue working to make sure...
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House Judiciary Committee Member Suzan DelBene issued the following statement today after Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy introduced a new version of the USA Freedom Act: “I am pleased that the version of the USA Freedom Act introduced today includes important improvements to the House-passed USA Freedom Act, and I commend Senator Leahy’s efforts to continue the fight for stronger legislation to restore Americans’ privacy rights and end the bulk collection of Americans’ phone ...
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