Congress Likely to Support Telecom Reform

The incoming chairmen of communications committees within the 109th Congress are likely to support reform of telecommunications law in 2005 no matter whether Democrats or Republicans control the U.S.

Senate and House of Representatives House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas) last fall expressed hope Congress may revisit the Telecommunications Act of 1996. When Barton became chairman of the committee this year, he listed as a priority examining the 1996 Telecom Act to possibly update the law to reflect changes in the industry, says a committee spokesman.

If Democrats control the House of Representatives, then Michigan representative John Dingell, the most senior Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, would become chairman of the committee while Massachusetts Rep. Edward Markey likely would become chairman of the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, replacing Republican Fred Upton of Michigan.

Earlier this year, Dingell cited the need for reform of telecommunications law. "Despite all the advances in technology and, in particular, the digitization of modern communications networks, the industry still is governed by laws that were passed before the emergence of the Internet - some even before the introduction of color television," Dingell said Feb. 4 during a hearing on the state of competition before the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet.

"I remain hopeful that Congress will soon change course and fundamentally overhaul the law to reflect the advances in the modern communications marketplace," he added. "I am encouraged by recent comments from Sen.[Ted] Stevens [R-Alaska] that he will look to reexamine the Communications Act during the next Congress and I intend to push this committee to undertake a similar endeavor."

Stevens has supported an overhaul of communications law. He is expected to lead the Senate Committee on Science, Commerce and Transportation if Republicans retain control of the Senate.

A Democratic majority in the Senate would mean Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) would lead the Senate Commerce Committee. Inouye, who was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1962, is among the most senior members of Congress.

Inouye, who is close to Stevens, says both senators plan to review the 1996 Telecom Act. "Since this measure was enacted eight years ago, the world of communications has changed dramatically. To describe these changes as monumental is an understatement," Inouye says in a statement.

"Therefore, we have called upon all sectors of the communications industry to provide us with input on the 1996 Act, including what protections must be maintained, and what changes, if any, should be made."

Adds Inouye: "But in doing so, we must remember that change for the sake of change will accomplish little, and may, if we are not careful, keep us from our ultimate and un-changing goal as legislators, to ensure that all Americans enjoy the benefits of new technologies, and to maintain a competitive, robust communications marketplace."