Technology

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… Read more »

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… Read more »

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… Read more »

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… Read more »

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… Read more »

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… Read more »

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… Read more »

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. … Read more »

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… Read more »

In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court today ruled that police need search warrants to search cellphones. Congresswoman Suzan DelBene issued the following statement: “Technology has changed the way we live, communicate and do business, but what should not change is our basic liberties and protections under the Constitution. Today’s decision by the Supreme Court requiring… Read more »