Technology

Tulalips discuss obstacles to obtaining broadband

| Posted in In the News

It's a Catch-22 common to Native American tribes in rural areas. Telecommunications companies will say it's not profitable for them to provide services, but when tribes try to create their own telecoms, the companies prevent them from doing so. Travis Hill, operations manager for Salish Networks in Tulalip, was part of a roundtable of state tribal representatives who brought their…

DelBene Hears From NW Tribes on Lack of Broadband Access

| Posted in Press Releases

TULALIP – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today met with Washington state tribal leaders to discuss barriers to broadband access on tribal land. DelBene serves on the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet. Last year, she requested the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) study and report on the status of Internet and…

House bill would require warrants for aerial surveillance

| Posted in In the News

A House bill introduced on Thursday would require federal law enforcement officials to get a warrant if they want to conduct aerial surveillance inside the country. It would also forbid them from identifying people who are inadvertently captured by aerial surveillance. The measure, dubbed the Protecting Individuals From Mass Aerial Surveillance Act, is sponsored by Rep. Suzan DelBene…

DelBene, Beyer, Lofgren, Blumenauer, Poe Bill Protects Americans from Aerial Surveillance

| Posted in Press Releases

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today introduced the Protecting Individuals From Mass Aerial Surveillance Act, which would require the federal government to obtain a warrant to conduct aerial surveillance in the United States. Reps. Donald Beyer (VA-08), Zoe Lofgren (CA-19), Earl Blumenauer (OR-03) and Ted Poe (TX-02), are original cosponsors of the bipartisan bill. “Just…

FBI director defends surveillance flights over city amid Baltimore riot

| Posted in In the News

FBI Director James Comey on Thursday defended the agency's use of surveillance aircraft over Baltimore during the April riots, adding that the planes were used at the request of local officials. "If there is tremendous turbulence in a community, it’s useful to everybody -- civilians and law enforcement -- to have a view of what’s going on," Comey told lawmakers during a…

DelBene: We Must Protect Privacy Rights of U.S. Citizens, Allies

| Posted in Press Releases

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today supported the passage of the Judicial Redress Act to protect privacy rights of citizens in U.S.-allied countries.   “Our allies provide our citizens basic privacy protections. The least the United States can do is reciprocate in kind. The current inconsistency breeds distrust and harms the competitiveness of American businesses…

What role should the government play in developing the internet of things?

| Posted in In the News

The former Microsoft executive Suzan DelBene is something of an outlier among her current professional colleagues when it comes to tech savvy. She’s doing what she can, though, to help educate her peers about the so-called internet of things device class that includes products such as the Microsoft Band she wears to work. Indeed, it’s one reason that DelBene – a US Rep.…

DelBene: Its Time to Update Electronic Privacy Laws

| Posted in Press Releases

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) issued the following statement regarding the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that seizing geolocation data requires a warrant: “The 4th Circuit Court’s decision is an important reminder that government should not have free rein to infringe on the constitutional right to due process. As new technology becomes increasingly prevalent in…

DelBene: IoT is Limited Only By American Ingenuity

| Posted in Press Releases

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) submitted the following statement today at the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet’s hearing on the Internet of Things. The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to Internet-connected devices and systems from kitchen appliances, to roadways, wristbands and cars. DelBene is the co-chair of the Congressional…

DelBene Statement on Committee Passage of Innovation Act

| Posted in Press Releases

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today voted for a patent reform bill in the House Judiciary Committee. The Innovation Act passed out of the committee by a vote of 24 to 8. After voting for the bill in the markup, DelBene issued the following statement:   “America needs a robust patent system in order to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in today’s…