[inaudible conversations] one [inaudible conversations] remind good morning welcome to oversight of the fccs i should point out since this committee has jurisdiction over sports last night the South Dakota State University jackrabbits plunged their ticket to the tournament by winning the Summer League tournament i am getting gaveled down by someone. [laughter] last time we met a lot exchanged since then with the new fcc chairman with several members of this committee this is the first sec oversight hearing is that i hope to see changes how the commission operates i urge them to treat each other fairly to be willing to ask congress for guidance whenever possible. While still in the early days they seem to heed the advice that actions under chairman pai to improve the of process of transparency. And those that seem to amass power the chairman office that they could instead empower the public and other commissioners. Chairmanpai says purging the divide to guide under his cedar ship to represent a rural state where many people are without Broadband Service already taking huge steps for deployment moving along with the Mobility Fund and the connect america fund. The commission could move forward so quickly even during the time of Agency Transition debates the question why they were not completed sooner. Is refreshing to see that take that action and to move forward with to broadcasting items to help Television Better serve the American Public recognize that everything the commission will do will be as nonpartisan or well received as this is chairman pai first open meeting agenda. Unrecognizable monday easy task to rectify this biggest missteps from the last few years referring to uh uh and subsequent broadband privacy order other actions may need to be revisited and then to be reset to of both items will glad to see those that are set to go into effect last week is suspect everyone knows i feel strongly that the best way to provide longterm protection for the internet is congress to pass Bipartisan Legislation but we dont have agreement on that so theres no reason for the fcc to hold off to rebalance the regulatory posture under current statutes. Something tells me what will be dedicated to the topic issued not distract from other rules as will the fcc is in the final stages of the broadcast tv incentive option 84 mhz have been reallocated for billions of dollars dedicated for deficitreduction well that auction process is done the work is far from complete we will start the process as knows small undertaking care urged the commission to rethink its power to ensure the transition is successful. Robocall is another problem to be a trust addressed the government must do everything we can to protect consumers from those who are the bad actors which is one reason why this Committee Works antispoofing legislation but to be sure they are not punishing legitimate callers who were not acting maliciously that would give a much needed jobs start to that conversation and i will note and with my colleagues will be busy with the nominations he is now in his also for your his been renominated there are two vacancies right now live in the current term expires at the end of june was the president makes a is nomination and they will move swiftly and the most important thing is we will not allow the fcc to fall below a functioning quorum line no no responsible person who would deprive the agency to protect the consumers and marketplace that it would be a priority of mine. The recognize the Ranking Member for his statement. By welcome the three members of the fcc including the new chairman with his first appearance the president has been nominated him to give him primary responsibility over what this senator believes is one of the most important Consumer Protection agencies of the federal government. The last 80 years the sec has the consumers back for ultimately the senator the success or failure of the Commission Last on the fulfillment of a wish list but on how those who are least able to protect themselves have been treated and First Amendment rights including those of journalists are vigorously protected. Since assuming the chairmanship in the last few weeks, the fcc of your leadership has acted to prevent millions of broadband subscribers from receiving Key Information rates and terms and conditions so those subscribers will have less protections of their data of the duties that they owed to protect that web browsing history to pay subscribers in that would arouse people pretty quickly start stealing their personal data. Into a threat and the expansion of broadband into the homes of lowincome americans by limiting the effectiveness of a new Lifeline Program reforms. And in the last few weeks formally rescinded the fcc staff report detailing the implementation of the agencys comprehensive effort that sent shockwaves through schools and libraries across the country which are worried that you try to up bent this highly functioning and bipartisan program. These are actions that directly impact the lives of millions of americans faugh i hope they are not signs of things to come because at the end of the day p. Fcc has the responsibility. I hope and the white house will correct that fend correct that what service turned other term. It is imperative for the Senate Leadership without dispatch. I would share your highlevel of interest that we would receive those nominations soon and weekend process very quickly. I do want to recognize the commissioners in front of us today the agency has a lot of work ahead of us and we hope you focus on steering the commission and the right direction but youre hearing allows us to move quickly and this is good to have you here. We will start with you mr. Chairman. Did you get that . If you perform well. No pressure. Thank you for holding this hearing today they give for the confidence you have shown in me before discussing the matters level by to offer a personal note i grew up in the great state of kansas just a few months ago that was painful to learn of the cold blooded murder i cannot fathom and as it stands those of us the indian descent but i do want to say that my thoughts and prayers are with the family and tanks to have for risking his life into the perpetrator the exception that proves the rule for respect in the sunflower state. Returning to the focus of todays hearing our right to discuss more piraeus protecting consumers and reforming the fcc. Highspeed Internet Access is critical to economic opportunity. By more efficiently targeting by revising regulations and by creating deployment fit in the first six weeks of may chairmanship we have already taken action on a bipartisan basis to expand for glt across the country and also to serve to americans we have a limited outdated rules with the necessary paperwork to establish for the first time of broadband appointment to develop for those localities to are interested. Another priority shows a regulatory environment. But too often theyre unable to bring them to market for regulatory under shah. Going for remind them to facilitate and last month going to the Television Broadcasters to adopt that on a voluntary and Market Driven basis basic begin advance of innovation and spectrum sharing also getting the benefits and their the core mission is to serve the broader Public Interest and for instance all americans are united but with the fcc year end and year out every year americans receive approximately 2. 4 billion robocall. This month the commission will vote on my proposal to block robocall theres no reason why any legitimate caller should answer a number if it cannot come from the identifying phonenumber. Last friday we granted emergency waiver to Jewish Community centers to identify those who are responsible i hope that this measure helps to bring the upper traitor to justice. And in working to make it more transparent. And then tell after the Commission Voted but every day americans are in the dark last month and made public of the agenda danas went so well i could address that fact sheet that is just one of the of many ways to working with my colleagues members of the committee thinking again for holding this committee and i look forward to continue to work with you in the time to come. Chairman and Ranking Member and members of the committee, good morning it is a daughter once again to share my prairies to put consumers first. As a commissioner i have been an advocate that far too often in their voices go unheard. Including families and with the incarcerated loved ones also with Broadband Access those that live below about Property Line or benefit from the tel health services. In an affordable connected to the with Reliable Service in the open internet for all including several of those issues. Talk about the open internet in a broadband world back when we write the talk about universal service dollars according to one provider in a remote area you cannot rely solely of competition to protect consumers. The sec has continued in his present role in bisbee ecosystem. And if there was a billing dispute for pour service or billing concerns . This is why i strongly supported the commission opened unit order and continue to believe it provides the best Legal Framework to protect consumers and entrepreneurs and with the ftc privacy framework to empower consumers to make informed choices to give broad band providers the flexibility in a manner for those that works with the company to do everything that i can to respect privacy and the broadband world. With open internet and privacy in continues to be the greatest form of injustice i have seen in my 18 years as the regulator. Follow wife pays as much as 24 by a fog of leadership to ensure that it is not paid again and again and more broadly to be on infrastructure and access universal service mandate as four different programs that these are enabling broadband appointment and health care to bring connectivity and attacking the affordability factor. We cannot keep out any lake and expected continued to steam and to have access on our program also to be courageous of the system that is increasingly the heavy burden on Senior Citizens who grenoble under afford longterm deployment. I believe the conversation must dart by asking how we move for those seeking to fulfill the dream and to this end the support reinstating a Certificate Program and to start a Pilot Incubator Program to disadvantaged businesses and finally to focus on enhancing Consumer Protection over 172,000 subscribers only onethird said they were very or completely satisfied with television or Telephone Service as the Agency Responsible oversee the Communications Sector this is highly alarming we can and must do more. This includes streamlining broadband infrastructure telephone elf and telemedicine and access to 911 service. Into use in greater detail thinking for the opportunity to be before you today in ellen ford to answering any questions you may have. Thankyou commissioner for the opportunity to appear before this distinguished body for the work occurring at the sec. Like to raise a handful of issues to retention about last november election with a change of leadership within new spirit of cooperation to have that immediate focus and in approximately five short weeks to improve the efficiency and transparency and accountability of the commission to public leasing documents that is shared with the commissioners with that provided the outside party is with information that has been necessary and important i have a number of ideas including changes to the delegated authority process and Data Collection. On another topic that a core function is the integrity is not sufficiently achieved. To dave the squatters are infecting the radio band including Emergency Communications and financial status financial stability. It will take sufficient enforcement and diligent as well as the Statutory Authority dedicated to address higher radio. It is a high priority for me to insure broad band access is available to all americans. We will reply and standing in the way of greater access ranging from the difficult permit and approval process with an effort to establish a Government Network with the favorable land tax process. With the benefit of broadband appointment that there are bad actors to require preemptive mesh in the census by the commission will share with you a handful of my conversations suggest increasing concern of International Government seeking a greater role of government oversight of believe the possible expansion is one of the greatest threats of longterm stability of the internet. We have a lot of members here today to be as close as possible to the five men rule five minute rule. Serving during clintons term they your off to a good start. Meeting with them individually and reacting very positive the office of Personnel Management is an index based on the employees satisfaction that will recommend their organization as a good place to work. Yes, mr. Chairman, because i am the chairman and because i spent years as a former career staff were the agency i take this issue extremely seriously and i am committed to doing whatever we can to provide appear atmosphere of respect among the personal staff. Commissioner cylburn, it has been suggested that you may have the ability to deny the fcc a quorum by leaving before your term expires at the end of june or refusing to attend open meetings. Will you commit to serving ourout full term and doing wrour part as a Senate Confirmed member . Mr. Chairman, what you read has never been suggested or hinted by me. I have no plans to do anything that would jeopardize the functionality of this institution i love so much. Thank you. Chairman pai, as part of the reform in 2011, the fcc established a minimum price Telephone Companies must charge customers for local Telephone Companies or risk loosing universal support. This is what is known as the rate floor. Relief was granted in 2014 but the rate floor continues to increase every year and there is little effort to assess the impact the increases have having oncon surms and Service Provider ins Rural America. Do you have concerns about ever increasing rate floor and do you expect the commission to examine . Thank you. I have significant concerns on the rate floor and talked about it years ago. It is odd rule carriers were forced to raise the telephone rates that rural consumers who have less Median Income would have to pay to get Telephone Service. That is something i am committed to working with our bureau, staff and happy to work with you and your staff as well to get it right. As you know, there has been a lot of discussion about the fccs broadband privacy order and what were to happen if it suddenly went away. Would consumers be left unprotected or would the fcc be obligated to police the acts . The carriers still have obligati obligations in addition to federal data and breach notification. Commissioner orielly, you said you were comfortable with the fcc pushing communities to allow timely institution of 5g. What tools are available to help with that . We have talked about the good actors and the steps they have taken. There is model codes and a number of positive things. But i believe we have to preempt bad actor communities that are preventing broadband from being expanded throughout our nation. I think that is good for me now. I will let my guys go first and i will do clean up. I want to make sure you all understand that erate, which was setup and it was supposed to be looked at in 2018, it is so essential broadband to our schools and libraries and i would expect the fcc not to make any major changes on this Vital Program and i would ask you to evaluate it. Thank you mr. Chairman. Congratulations chairman pai. Many of us were disappointed by the pulling of jessica last week. The senate should have confirmed her term last year and i am counting on everyone to honor the commitment i would like to get back to the tradition of jessica and chairman pai can move through the senate floor quickly. This is a question for all the commissioners. Congratulations to all of you for overseeing a successful incentive auction. The first one of its kind. We all want the faster internet and better cov rnl coverage from the auction but i have concerns about local broadcasters loosing channels. The three of you said if the stations cant repack in the 39 month time frame they would not be forced off the air. Yes or no question. Would all of you support legislative efforts to make sure that doesnt happen . I would support any effort of ensuring our goal. Senator, i agree with commissioner cylburn. Depending on how it it read, i would agree. Thank you. Chairman pai, is the fcc going to review the at t and time warner merger . As i understand how the parties structured the transaction, there is no license transferred from one party to the other which is a jurisdictional hook for us to apply what is known as the Public Interest standard. So f