Will help bring pressure on the iranian regime. Inc. You. I want to thank you for your willingness to serve. You are at an interesting time. Also Regional Security issues. I think you are going at a fascinating time and that you are up to the challenges in your future. Willingnessr your to serve. Thank you, and you have a lot of friends in auboston. Time to you for taking visit with me last week to tos u. S. Japan discuss u. S. Japan relationships. While there are many topics to cover from our Security Alliance gas,pans need for natural i want to focus our time on one of our significant exports. As i mentioned previously, soda ashes some and you talked about in the past. Something you talked about in the past. He talked about how he stood with the wyoming commission, and that putoming 15 votes your father over the top to get the nomination. But 50 yearsit, spokeesident john kennedy. T the university in laramie 13,000 people attended. Was on the stage with president kennedy, as was the secretary of the interior who serves on the committee. Moment formorable many folks across my state. President kennedy talked about scientific application of knowledge. Ash, and people thought it was a skin condition. A few years ago there was no need for it. Even if it had been sought, it be found because techniques had not been developed. Now it is a necessary agreement in the production of glass, steel, and other products. As a result of harnessing science for the use of man, this great new industry has opened up. The United States is the most competitive supplier of so in ash in the of soda world. The Green River Basin has the deposits. Est known it is a key component of glass and chemicals. Long been regarded as a standard of quality. Japan has a 3. 3 tariff, which we discussed. Now we have formally join the trend. Transpacific harner ship. Of all the countries, japan is the only country with a ash. F on u. S. Soda it is important to eliminate the terroris when the tarriff. My question is will you commit if you will advocate for the elimination of this natural soda ash imports. Soda i would definitely make that commandment. I did pass along your concerns, and they have soda ash so that will be important in their negotiations. I look forward to working on this with you. We talked about the cash crop. Forward toing pursuing every opportunity to eliminate trade barriers, increase imports to japan for all u. S. Industry. I appreciate your efforts. To talk aboute liquefied natural gas, where we had the opportunity to export. I know talking to the ambassador with japan that they have great interest in importing. There has been a 43 increase in our sales from japan this and hopefully they will continue to accept more high quality u. S. Beef and natural. As senator cardinal just approved a project, so it is a win for both countries. I look forward to working on that, because it is a benefit for all of us. Thank you very much. About sodaow more than i ever did. Congratulations. This is an exciting hearing. I was struck about the appointment the about the poignancy. Your father received a congressional medal of honor, and here you are about to receive this post, which is attributed to the deep friendship between the nations. Accident. t happen by it happened because of diplomacy. It happens because of the of the people. We dont have to assume ostilities are permanent. Who are we at odds with today . Wonderful allies in a few decades. There is a real element of hope and optimism because of this lives ofnd how it the our two nations. Two questions i want to ask. In thenormous upside because of the specific status of negotiations, but i wonder, are there any potential downside is . Is there any in your dialogue with folks on the japanese side thus far or your briefings that there is a worry in a rebound and with asia generally . Is there a concern it would deemphasize the strong relationship between u. S. And that we continue to make sure japan knows how special this relationship is . You for reminding us all. I am conscious of the evolution and how mytionship family and my appointment is emblematic of that, and it is something i am honored by. States ande united japan are facing an important moment, but it is a moment that is all promised. The asiapacific region is the future in many ways. Trade, of the worlds and there are many opportunities to strengthen this alliance. Hopefully i can contribute to that. I am hopeful that whatever issues crop up we can work through as we have done so far. Just to connect a couple of dots, the japanese continued is aase of oil from iran troubling thing. Continue to do what enron make sure iran does not obtain nuclear weapons. Japan has scaled down. We think they can do more, but they have their own energy challenges, especially after fukushima, that put constraints on them. There is a connection between their ability to go further and this issue. I had a dialogue recently with official inrnment another asian country that does not need to be named, but i was really focusing on this issue how could we help you reduce your reliance on oil from iran, and they said the main thing you can do is increase natural gas. Important asset for us to contemplate in working with japan. The better they are, the more they may be able to take usitional steps and help with that important goal we share of making sure enron he doesnt develop nuclear weapons. I want to encourage you in that regard. Thank you. Senator mccain. Thank you. Welcome, family members and our beloved vicki. I know ted is very proud to have traditionontinuing a of Longstanding Service to our nation. I had several meetings, but i think its important to reemphasize several points. That tensions between japan and china are higher than any time since the end of world war ii. Is very high on the agenda of japan and china, and significanteen presence,a military and the new Prime Minister on new Prime Minister is committed to defense spending on the part of japan. A lot of that has to do with concern over the aggressive nature of china in the south china sea. Im sure you are aware of those tensions, and im wondering if you share my concern about this situation. I think its a matter of great concern. I think as we spoke about the u. S. Military and the japan cornerstone ofa the region, and the u. S. Is committed under article five of our security treaty to support japan, but overall, our priority is this needs to be resolved through diplomacy and for all parties in the region to seek to lower tensions as much as possible. You know the United States position has been that we support japanese management of the islands but do not ornowledge the sovereignty integral part of japan that the policy embodies. Do you agree with that policy . Its a longstanding policy of the United States, so that would be a policy i would try to take further. View of thef our region, there has been an announcement a couple years ago by the administration at first they used a word pivot, of therebalancing military in the region. One thing we have been wrestling the movements is of u. S. Marines in okinawa. Its a very volatile issue with the people of okinawa. Be accomplished, and we have watched with great we still havend not achieved the movement of the to aes out of okinawa suitable replacement base. We know that some will go to guam. Some will go to a new base that is being built. I hope you will give this issue of very high priority. Okinawa,incident in and you will see a very serious reaction from the people of okinawa, and they have to be ensured we are making progress on the issue, which in my view, has been fraught with delays and expenditures, which is almost an embarrassment. I take seriously your concerns, and i thank you for expressing them to me in your office as well as here this morning, and i look forward to learning as much as i can and studying this closely and move thisth you to forward. We look forward to visiting with you and your future at taxpayers expense. Think you for your willingness to serve. Think you. You. Ank massachusetts is very proud of you today. Your mother and father, aunt and all of your family inspired generations of people to public service. You are the embodiment of someone who has dedicated her people and your uncle ted every member of really was very special in the lives of our you are continuing that story, and i think its important for the country to given asking not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country, and you are doing that today, and all of us appreciate it, following in this tradition your family represents sitting behind you today. I was wondering are there any personal priorities you might have going to japan . Is there anything you might want to share with us that might be part of something you might want to accomplish during your time in japan representing our country . Markey, you, senator and they give for mentioning my family. I feel i am the most fortunate to be part of such an inspiring family, and i am fortunate that not only is my immediate family here but my cousin timmy who , so the Special Olympics im very honored and happy to have their support. Ofope i can make them proud me. In terms of my own priorities, as a woman, i have opportunities to represent the United States and the progress we have made on some of these issues and the dialogue about what needs to be done here and there, so i am looking forward to learning about those issues if i am confirmed. Backgroundause of my and because i have been engaged ,n helping younger generations i am hopeful that because president abe has made education part of his reform, i hope i role inve a significant encouraging young people of japan so this alliance can continue to go forward and they friendshipse same they have enjoyed until now. The ambassador lamented the number of japanese students coming to the United States, and that is a big part of the understanding between the nations. Your focus is absolutely on the money. Its where we have to be. I just want to tell you how and i think of you, youre a gold ted is really proud of you i think your uncle ted is really proud of you and your service. Thank you very much. You have acquitted yourself very well. The record will remain open until the close of his miss on friday. If the nominee receives any questions, we ask you to enter them expeditiously so we can consider them at the next business meeting, and with that, you are excused. Thank you for this hearing. Here is a look at the week ahead for congress. The senate meets tomorrow at 2 00 eastern time. On tuesday they will return to executive session to debate and negotiate a judicial nomination. They are expected to debate a bill that funds the government through september. You can watch the senate live on cspan 2. The house will gavel back in wednesday at noon. Expected to come up, a bill to increase the debt limit. Members will be looking for what action the senate takes. You can watch the house live on cspan. We bring Public Affairs of vents from washington directly to you, putting you in the room hearings, white house of vents, and offering comp lead gaveltogavel coverage of the u. S. House, all as a public service. The cableated by industry and funded by your satellite provider. Now you can watch us in hd. Televisionring on laws. Ingorneys represent communication testify in this two and a half hour hearing. I think were ready to go. Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. To theome you subcommittee on television laws. Circumstances surrounding disputes over our satellite. Elevision laws when it comes to video, i believe there are some points with which we can all agree. Americans love to watch and want to have as many choices available at the lowest possible price. Instances the licenses are served effectively, i believe it is safe to say that they are not without shortcomings. The classic example is when a popular show is suddenly unavailable. You go home, looking forward to seeing that particular show, and you are unable to get it. You are likely to turn off the television and call someone to complain. Learn one truth. As we begin this review of satellite licenses, one of goals. O situations our priority will be to protect , butnterests of consumers when there is a problem consumers are left with no recourse. Highlyast by our qualified panel of witnesses. I am pleased to represent the Ranking Member for his opening statement. Is thek you, and today first of what i believe to be a series of meetings to discuss the 119 which extended license until 2014. Created aiewer act copyright compulsory license for the benefit of the satellite industry to retransmit Television Signals to transcribers. The license was originally intended to ensure the availability of programming to satellite or fighters and to foster competition with the cable industry, which has enjoyed a compulsory license to andansmit content in local instant broadcast symbols since the passage of the act of 1976. The intent of providing licensesy copyright was to facilitate investment in new creative works in the Cable Industries by eliminating the direct negotiation with the copyright owners for the use of signal programming. Through the 119 compulsory license although it is and therefore the focus of reauthorization, it is statutory,omplex, and Regulatory Framework governing satellite retransmission of broadband signals, making it virtually impossible to consider whether to reauthorize in a vacuum. The committee which has jurisdiction on key regulations that govern the broadcast market has held multiple hearings in this congress on whether to repeal, revise, or reauthorize stella. Years ago the Judiciary Committee also grappled with a number of issues that emerged in the marketplace in an effort to simplify and modernize what was largely received as an thehronistic regime for revision of broadcast program. Most immediately we addressed the transition from analog to digital television. Issues the committee considered remained unresolved while new technologies further disrupted the market with innovations we could not foresee less than a decade ago. I believe we have a unique opportunity to tackle some of the big issues that will define the future of video. Comp also relicenses represent complementary licenses represent a departure. When compulsory licenses were first enacted, the cable and Satellite Industries were in their embryonic stages. Is estimated over 90 of american households subscribed to a paytv service. Myriad of elements that should be under consideration. These licenses are Still Necessary to foster competition, of it . Ld they be part how many consumers truly benefit from these licenses . Is copyright functioning in a way that meets the goals of National Media policy . It cannot be denied that incumbents have entrenched interest and investment in a complex framework created while created by law. Would an abrupt dismantling of this structure be unfair to those industries and harmful to consumers . 10 current law keep pace with new technologies can current law keep pace with technologies that seek to export ambiguities in the Legal Framework . What constitutes a Public Performance or retransmission for retransmission and consent purposes . The cbs Time Warner Cable dispute resulted in a temporary blackout for some consumers. Is that evidence of a broken system, or does it reflect a robust freemarket . Also, how should we address or should we address a nascent online video distribution model that in the future may very well displace the traditional distribution methods altogether . Are these internetbased video Distribution Models the new kids on the block, entitled to comparable statutory imposed obligations and prohibitions, or is the time for Government Intervention over . These are a few of the broad policy questions that i think are relevant in this space. I believe we must determine whether the current regime is working to ensure that content providers and distributors, old and new, are appropriately compensated and incentivized in a way that provides a competitive environment for consumers. We have an impressive and Diverse Group of expert witnesses today, with very different views on how the marketplace works, and how it has developed, and most probably what the rules of the road should be moving forward. I look forward to the testimony today, and to continuing this dialogue in the future. I yield back, mr. Chairman. Thank you. The distinguished gentleman from virginia, mr. Bob goodlatte. Thank you, mr. Chairman. I look forward to the testimony of the witnesses. For decades, the vast majority of americans have relied upon satellite and Cable Services for access to a wide variety of video content ranging from nighttime entertainment for their families, educational shows for their children, local and National News with information that informs them, and Public Access channels that empower americans to see their local state and federal representatives in action. As a numbers of content continues to increase, consumers subscribe to additional sources. Americans are embracing these Additional Services to such a degree that society has coined two new terms. Cord shavers, and cord cutters. For those who are reducing or eliminating traditional video subscriptions. According to the fccs latest report, in addition to free broadcast content, 100 of americans have access to two Satellite Services. 98 have access to these services, and one local alternative. 35 have access to two Satellite Services and two local alternatives. Marketplace competition has grown significantly since the last activity in this area in 2010, when congress enacted the Satellite Television extension and localism act. There are three compulsory licenses in title 17 impacting this industry, one of which expires at the end of 2014. This committee will concern whether a re