McMorris Rodgers unveils bills to modernize satellite communications rules

U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), House Energy and Commerce Committee (E&C) Republican Leader, introduced two pieces of legislation last week to advance U.S. leadership in satellite communications networks.

The bills are considered the first major effort to update Federal Communications Commission (FCC) satellite licensing rules in decades. If enacted, the bills would promote competition and incentivize innovation and investment in next-generation satellite communications.

“America is leading the way in next-generation satellite technologies, which are contributing to a revolution in the communications marketplace,” Rep. McMorris Rodgers said in a joint statement with Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), E&C committee chairman.

“To make sure the U.S. — not China — continues to lead this global industry, we must streamline our regulatory processes to unleash innovation while also ensuring our laws fully protect the American public,” the lawmakers said.

Rep. McMorris Rodgers introduced the Satellite and Telecommunications Streamlining Act of 2022, H.R. 9463, on Dec. 8, a bill that would amend the Communications Act of 1934 to provide authority for certain licenses. Rep. Pallone was the cosponsor of the bill.

Rep. Pallone also sponsored the Secure Space Act of 2022, H.R. 9464, which Rep. McMorris Rodgers cosponsored the same day. The text of the bill states it would amend the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 from granting a license or U.S. market access for a satellite system if the license or grant of market access would be controlled by an entity that provides any covered communications equipment or service.

The E&C Committee will consider both bills.

“We continue to encourage all interested parties to engage with us as we work to usher in a new era of investment and innovation in this critical sector,” Reps. McMorris Rodgers and Pallone said.