Come to order. I want to thank everybody for coming. I have a fairly short statement that i will read and then i will turn to the senator. Were convening under different circumstances of our previous meeting. Were following the guidance of the cdc and the office of attending physician. So were spaced further apart. Our staff is reduced. Were grateful for all of them. The general public is watching online rather than filling up the room. So our hearing today will look a little different. I think we can all agree that the capitol feels a little different, the halls of congress feel a little different. Small businesses, if theyre allowed to open at all, are operating on a very different circumstances. American homes have become classrooms and offices for millions of american families. And at least for a while, American Life as we know it has changed. Nonetheless, access or inaccess to Broadband Internet services, especially in rural areas, as remained unchanged and it might be a good topi
Overall number in the law, the budget control act, requesting basically a little bit over 1 trillion. 1. 1 trillion as the law allows for. Within that number, he really departed from the budget control act numbers, and he requested a lot more for defense programs. About 54 billion for security related programs. And covers that with an equal amount of cuts in nondefense spending, 54 billion. So thats a violation of the budget control act there. But more than that, its very politically unpopular. Yes members really like the , defense spending increase, but they dont like taking it out of nondefense programs agriculture cut more than 20 . Transportation, federal housing programs cut 15 . Labor, health, Education Programs cut similarly. State Department Programs cut tremendously. And congress is rejecting that. They dont really have their own plan nailed down. While they are inclined to give a lot more to defense, they are not as interested in those nondefense spending cuts. It matters of
Confidence in your power that they will celebrate the victories that are yet to be. May they never forget the inheritance that belongs to all who love and serve your will on earth. Provide them with the wisdom to know that you are the only sure foundation for all their strivings. Remind them that unless you protect the tion, its leaders and citizens labor in vain. Eternal spirit, great and marvelous are your works; just and true are your ways. We pray in your holy name. Amen. The president pro tempore please join me in reciting the pledge of allegiance to our flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of america, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. The presiding officer under the previous order, the leadership time is reserved. Morning business is closed. Under the previous order, the senate will proceed to executive session to resume consideration of the erickson nomination, which the clerk will
Mr. Pai. Vote in favor of a truly and open internet. And i yield t paying them off. The presiding officer the senator from mississippi. Mr. Wicker mr. President , later on today the senate will move to a vote to advance the nomination of ajit pai to become chairman of the federal communications commission. I rise today in strong enthusiastic support of confirming chairman pai. In the nine short months that President Trump chose chairman pai, he has restored confidence in the agencys ability on behalf of the american people. He has the light touch of the framework. He has kept this free and open for innovators and providers. Internet technology will continue to thrive if we keep the heavy hand of government away from the controls. Chairman pai recognizes the need to close the Digital Divide between our nations rural and urban communities. Im working closely with him and other members of the commission to remove barriers to Internet Connectivity that exists in my home state of mississipp
The subcommittee on communications and technology will now come to order. And the chair recognizes herself for five minutes for an Opening Statement. And i do want to welcome each and every one of you. Obviously a hearing of interest as we have a full room in front of us. And it is our first hearing in 2017 with a fully formed federal Communications Commission as often seems to be the case, the senate takes their dear ever loving time to get things done, but im pleased to see that the commission is back up to speed and ill tell you i am pleased that we have five members of this commission and they have different points of view to bring to the discussion on all things telecom related. I think that is healthy for the telecommunications and technology industry. Were here today to conduct oversight of the agency which is this subcommittees primary role. It is very important that we fulfill these obligations because we have given the fcc a Critical Mission and critical task to fulfill. From