Fostering the Next Generation of American Technological Leadership
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas – (WASHINGTON, D.C.) – It’s no secret that the actions of Big Tech and censor-minded governments have eroded our freedom of speech in the past decades. The twin specters of “misinformation” and “disinformation” were held up during the COVID-19 pandemic as self-evident reasons for a draconian crackdown on online discourse.
Just last week, Mark Zuckerberg admitted in a letter to the House Judiciary Committee that, at the behest of the Biden Administration, Meta censored online discussion. Mark Zuckerberg’s letter outlining that the Biden-Harris administration pressured Meta to silence differing voices and opinions on the COVID-19 pandemic and information on Hunter Biden and the Biden family is damning.
This is a gross abuse of power by this administration, and we must do everything we can to preserve our First Amendment rights.
The purchase of X (formerly Twitter) by an industry outsider is the only thing that has returned a modicum of balance to the enforcement of online content laws.
But that all changed this past week.
Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram (a popular encrypted messaging service), was arrested in France on twelve charges, six of which are “complicity” in the crimes of others. What did he do, you might ask? He owned an internet application.
Telegram is an attractive app for all sorts of privacy-minded people, the vast majority of whom are law-abiding citizens with no ulterior motive for using the app besides the added security of its encryption. But that does not mean all. Telegram has been used in the past by criminals and terrorists, and it is the use of the app by these nefarious actors that French authorities claim incriminates Mr. Durov as well.
That is profoundly ridiculous. Mr. Durov is no more responsible for what is said by individual users on his app any more than a car manufacturer can decide where a customer can drive their car. We must remain vigilant on our side of the Atlantic, and ensure that this sort of top-down, immoral and unjust targeting of companies (and not the criminals) never comes to the United States.
Fostering the Next Generation of American Technological Leadership
As your representative and the Vice Chair on the Communications and Technology Subcommittee, I am proud to share how we, as Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans, are leading the charge to close the digital divide and encourage American leadership in next-generation technologies. These efforts are critical to winning the future and ensuring our nation remains at the forefront of innovation. Here's a snapshot of the key legislative accomplishments we've achieved:
- H.R. 1339, the Precision Agriculture Satellite Connectivity Act
Passed the House to require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to recommend rule changes that promote precision agriculture and accommodate next-generation technologies. This is a significant step toward modernizing our agricultural industry and ensuring our farmers have the tools they need to succeed.
- H.R. 1353, the ALERT Parity Act
Passed the House to require the FCC to expand emergency communications, like 9-1-1, in unserved areas where Americans may be in danger but unable to receive or call for help. This act is about saving lives and ensuring every American has access to critical emergency services.
- H.R. 4510, the NTIA Reauthorization Act of 2023
Passed the House to help us beat China by streamlining regulations, advancing connectivity across the United States, and providing the NTIA the tools needed to keep up with issues posed by modern technology. This legislation is vital for maintaining our competitive edge on the global stage.
- H.R. 813, the Global Investment in American Jobs Act of 2023, and H.R. 752, the Securing Semiconductor Supply Chains Act of 2023
Passed the House to identify ways to increase foreign direct investment in advanced technology and semiconductor-related manufacturing and production. These acts are crucial for securing our supply chains and bolstering American industry.
- H.R. 6572, the Deploying American Blockchains Act of 2023
Passed the House to support U.S. leadership in the use of blockchain technology and other distributed ledger technology across industry sectors. This is about ensuring America stays ahead in the tech race and continues to lead in innovation.
- H.R. 3557, the American Broadband Deployment Act of 2023
Passed out of Committee to streamline broadband permitting and expedite deployment, ensuring every American has access to high-speed broadband. Access to reliable internet is no longer a luxury—it's a necessity, and this act helps make it a reality for all Americans.
