Throughout my tenure, I have worked to increase the deployment of telecommunications services to all American families and businesses. These new tools have helped create incredible job and economic growth. I have also fought to ensure that free speech and private innovation remain the hallmarks of this industry, while guaranteeing that our children are protected from online predators and indecent material.

Making Investments in Broadband Infrastructure

In the 21st century, Internet broadband infrastructure must be reliable and secure for everyone. Recently, the Energy and Commerce Committee reviewed six bipartisan proposals specifically aimed at improving broadband deployment meant for consumers across the country. I will continue to be a bipartisan leader to ensure that families and businesses right here in Southwest Michigan have the access they need to the Internet, which remains the driving force of our 21st century economy. 

Fighting for Internet Freedom

The Internet is perhaps the greatest engine of communication, innovation, and economic and personal freedom the world has ever known. Most Americans agree that a free and open Internet works and that it is not the responsibility of any government to regulate it.

As Congress acts to respond to growing online piracy and cyber security threats, it is paramount that Internet freedom and privacy remain protected. I was opposed to the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and was pleased that it did not move forward in either the U.S. House of Representatives or the U.S. Senate.

As a leading champion of democracy and free markets, the United States also has a responsibility to oppose the efforts of authoritarian nations to control the Internet. I have proudly supported bipartisan Internet Freedom legislation, which makes it U.S. policy to preserve the long-standing multi-stakeholder governance model in which no one group – whether it be governments, corporations, or international organizations – determines how the Internet operates.

Net Neutrality

I support the basic principles of Net Neutrality. What I do not support was the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) heavy handed implantation of these rules which gave this government agency new, unauthorized authority of the Internet.

In 2015 I drafted bicameral legislation that would have enshrined these important Net Neutrality principles into law. Our legislation would prohibit the practices of paid prioritization of content, but without giving the FCC broader authority over the Internet.

A legislative answer to the net neutrality question would finally put to rest years of litigation and uncertainty. I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle as we work towards a fair, permanent solution.

Self-Driving Vehicles

Self-driving cares the next frontier of innovation, safety, and economic growth. As the birthplace of the automotive industry, Michigan is a well-known home to innovative suppliers and manufacturers that make our cars and trucks safer, more efficient, and more affordable. Michigan also has a dense nexus of engineering talent, automotive research and development centers, and universities that are developing cutting-edge vehicle innovations.

In 2016, I joined Michigan Senator Gary Peters and U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Michigan, in sending a letter to Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao urging the new administration to designate a Michigan site a proving grounds for automated vehicle testing. I look forward to continuing valuable public discussions on the safety improvements and revolutionary changes self-driving vehicles are bringing to our society.

Spectrum Reform
 
Freeing up additional electromagnetic spectrum is necessary to support the build-out of the next generation of wireless broadband networks. In 2012, I helped ensure that vital spectrum reform legislation was included as part of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act. This Energy and Commerce legislation is a win for taxpayers, a win for consumers, and a win for the economy as well.

Internet Privacy

It has long been my goal to create jobs and help grow the economy here in Southwest Michigan. Ensuring folks have a safe, secure, and private internet is an important way to do just that. There is no doubt that as technology becomes more integral to our way of life the government must take steps to protect privacy while continuing to allow for innovation. I support the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) strongly enforcing important, existing privacy protections on all levels of the Internet.

Keeping the Internet Tax-Free
 
I support keeping the Internet permanently free from all federal taxes. The absence of such taxes will help keep consumers’ high-speed and dial-up Internet rates low, while also protecting goods sold over the Internet from being unfairly singled out or double-taxed.

Digital Television (DTV) Transition
 
I helped oversee the successful transition from traditional analog television to digital broadcasting. The switch from analog to digital was one of the 9-11 Commission’s top recommendations in order to ensure that our emergency responders have the appropriate broadcast spectrum to communicate with each other in the event of a national catastrophe. This transition also provides American consumers with a dramatically higher quality of over-the-air programming and a greater number of programming options.