President talks about changes over the years. Mr. Silliman discusses the needs for a massive fiber buildout which could be part of the Infrastructure Program being considered by president elect trump m congress. He is interviewed by john mckinnon, Technology Reporter for the wall street journal. We are building the fire deeper and deeper. That means that increasingly, when we talk about our wireless networks, 90 of that is fiber. You mentioned the injured internet of things, you need a massive fiber infrastructure to do that. Communit communicators on cspan2. Abigail fillmore was the first first lady to work outside the home, teaching in a private school. The created fashion sensations. It was marketed as a color and stores sold the bombs to women eager to replicate her style. Joplin kennedy was responsible for the creation of the White House Historical organization. She appealed the screen afters guild head Ronald Reagan for help and later became his wife. These stories are featured in cspan spoke first ladies. President ial historians on the lives of iconic american women. Readers a look into the personal lives of every First American history. Share the stories of americas first ladies for the holidays. First ladies, in paperback, published by public affairs, available at your favorite bookseller and as an ebook. Now, a house hearing on the safety issues related to the sport of mixed martial arts. This is about one hour and 20 minutes. The subcommittee on commerce , manufacturing, and trade will now come to order. The chair recognizes themselves for five minutes. Good morning to all of our witnesses. We appreciate you being with us this morning. Before we turn to the matter at hand, i do want to make note of the fact that this is our last hearing before the 114th congress. I certainly want to thank my lance,airman, chairman from new jersey and the Ranking Member of illinois for their hard work and the hard work of all of our members. Energy and Commerce Committee itself is probably one of the most productive committees on capitol hill. The commerce manufacturing trade committee has justifiably earned the reputation as the think tank of the energy and Commerce Committee, and i would just note to the members on the dais that we have passed over two dozen pieces of legislation from members on both sides of the dais over the last two years and one of the most productive legislative competence for this legislative accomplishments for this subcommittee in several years. So, thank you to the participation of all of our members. I believe, no pun intended we , have been punching above our weight. I am happy to close out this conference with my colleague and look forward to a busy agenda next year. Once more, we turn our attention to something where this is plowing new ground for congress. As broad and varied as our jurisdiction is, mixed martial arts, especially the industry of mixed martial arts is probably a new concept to some of us. In fact, it is to your chairman. As the industry continues to evolve swiftly, it seems now is the time to Bring Congress of to up to speed on mixed martial arts and understand if there is a role that congress should be playing in this multibillion dollar industry. I want to thank congressman mullen for making this issue, and making sure this issue was on the subcommittees agenda. The latest major mixed martial arts event drew a little under 2 Million Viewers and around 1. 5 million payperview buys. It generated 18 million at the gate, 1. 5 million of which went to the state of new york and taxes. Perhaps most importantly, since about half of the mixed martial arts fan base is comprised of millennials, the event created 14 billion social media impressions, which nielsen now tracks. Rep. Burgess the winner at the top of the fight card made 40 million. That does not match what it taught boxing fight brings, but there is no longer a doubt that mixed martial arts is ready for prime time and there is no doubt it is an economic driver. In our previous hearings we have grappled primarily with athlete safety and implications of safety rules on youth sports. The safety of mma fighters is of importance, and this will figure into our broad discussion of how the industry works and how it is regulated at the state level. The Politics Around combat sports are tough. To some degree, fighters assume risks. All 50 states have legalized mixed martial arts and regulate it to some degree. State athletic commissions have generally propagated rules that prohibit certain maneuvers in the ring, require certain equipment, and provide for athlete drug testing. Some states are stricter than others, depending upon a states resources, how popular this day state is as a venue for mixed martial arts. As with boxing, fighters must generally obtain a license to fight. States and the major promotions also require physicians to be president and make sure the present and make sure the fighters are healthy before, during, and after a bout. I thank the panelists who are here today. I certainly look forward to a lively and interesting discussion, and i would like to yield to the gentleman from new jersey for his opening statement. Thank you, mr. Chairman. In my three terms serving on the energy and Commerce Committee this has been by far the most , productive session for the commerce manufacturing and trade subcommittee. Due in large part to the leadership of dr. Burgess and the hard work of the committee staff. To the highly successful disruptor series, cmt has asserted itself as the principal subcommittee our economy needs to thrive. Rep. Lance we have acted on information learned from these educational hearings by passing bipartisan targeted legislation and beginning the first legislative update to the federal trade commission in 20 years. We have also passed legislation to help consumers. For example, to review their experiences without businesses engaging in retribution. Under dr. Burgess leadership, cmt has also provided vigorous vigorous oversight of the takata airbag recall, the largest safety recall in Automotive Industry history. Congratulations, dr. Burgess, on an effective session and i look forward to continuing our work on these important issues and other issues in the full committee next congress. I also take a moment to recognize outgoing chairman fred upton of the full committee. Today is an historic and important day as the 21st century cures act goes to the president s desk. At this season i wish everybody , a Merry Christmas and a peaceful new year and , particularly, safety to our troops, our magnificent troops across the globe, who protect us and the American People in general. Mr. Chairman, i yield back the balance of our time. Rep. Burgess the chair thanks the gentleman for his remarks. The gentleman went a little over, but since his remarks seemed important and you are thanking the chairman, i consented that the gentleman should be permitted to do that. [laughter] rep. Burgess i first want to thank the Ranking Member of the committee for being here as well and for a very productive two years on the commerce manufacturing and trade subcommittee. And i recognize you for five minutes for the purpose of an opening statement. Thank you, mr. Chairman. I want to thank you, too. Its been a very interesting and i think productive session of congress and it has been a personal pleasure to be able to serve with you as the chairman and myself as the Ranking Member. I also want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy hanukkah, which actually happened to fall at the same time. And then to the business of the morning. When i first heard we would be having a hearing on mixed martial arts, i was surprised. I confess, i am not an mma fan. I have had to learn a little more about mma in preparation for the hearing. I dont think it is going to be my new hobby. However, you dont have to be an mma fan to recognize the need for greater negotiating power and a stronger protections for mma fighters. Rep. Schakowshy our colleague, congressman mullen, used to be an mma fighter. I chatted with him yesterday. I also met with other mma fighters in my office. The lack of leverage they have within their contract negotiations is frankly, pretty shocking, and that comes through when you look at the differences in pay and benefits between mma and other sports. Congressman mullen comes to this issue as a fighter. I come to it as a fighter for Worker Rights and safety. Today, that puts us on the same side. When i saw what mma is, the mother in me came out a little bit. I dont know why you would do that to yourself, but mma fighters love their sport and they should be able to fight. I do however, want to make sure that they are not put in unnecessary risk. Safety for fighters is very into fighters only get paid if they are in a match. They have to secure their own Health Insurance because the promoters insurance just covers injuries within a match, not the injuries that frequently happen in weeks of training before hand. That forces fighters to push themselves, sometimes at great personal risk. Mma can involve blows to the head. And for me, that immediately raises concerns about brain injury, which we have seen in other context boards. Contact sports. Two months ago, a 25yearold jordan parsons became the first mma fighter to be diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Cte. This should not be surprising. Research has shown repetitive hits to the head have cumulative longterm affects to brain function and physiology and may increase the risk of cte. Cte is not new to the members of the energy and Commerce Committee. Last march, in response to a question i raised, the Nfl National Football League representative admitted for the very first time a definite link between football and cte. Dr. Mckee, who we will hear from today, was at that round table. Representatives frank pallone, and i have been pressing the National Hockey league to do more to reduce risk of head injuries. Mma is the latest sport where cte is an issue. We have seen some progress at the state level already. New york state included a provision in its mma legislation that recognizes the risk of brain trauma and requires mma promoters to carry insurance to cover treatment of lifethreatening brain injuries. If, knowing the risks, adults adults still want to be part of mma fights that is all right. , but fighters and promotions should take some basic precautions and fighters issued have the leverage to stand up for their own safety. Dr. Mckee has written testimony and she provides some recommendations on the risk of brain injuries in mma. We also need to support further research on the connection between cte and contacts for Contact Sports so adults know , the risk. Research is especially critical given the risk to Young Athletes. According to espn, an estimated 3. 2 million kids 13 and under now participate in mma. Kids can start classes as early as six years old. Some leagues ban head hits for the younger kids. However, dr. Rebecca carl warns that kids dont need to be hit in the head to experience brain injury. The force of being thrown to the ground is enough to injure the brain. Thats a quote. To continue the quote, i dont think theres enough Data Available to say that mma is safe for children, unquote. I want to further explore how mma can be safer and fairer for fighters of all ages. I want to thank the witnesses for being here today. I look forward to your testimony. I yield back. Lady yields back. The chair thanks the gentlelady and now recognizes the gentleman from oklahoma five minutes. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Real quick, i want to correct maybe something misspoken. The top fighter received over 40 million in payouts. It was not even close, which i know is just misspoken. The top ticket on a receive combined 4 million. Compared to boxing, it is a big difference. I just want to make sure everybody understands the difference on that one. Rep. Burgess the chair will correct the record. Mullin thank you mr. , chairman for examining a sport i am passionate about. This informational hearing is vital to educate the members of this committee and the public on the history, current status and future of mma. As we looked at issues from contract to health, to antidoping and conflicts of interest, i hope we can keep the fighters in mind. Without them, there is no ufc, no sport. The promoters have done so much to grow the sport. But the fighters are what make this sport so compelling and so great to watch. The sport is much different than when i was younger. There was more media, more money with that brings more fans. Rep. Mullin as mma continues to grow, we need to make sure we keep it growing with everybody. Before i yield back, i want to highlight my bill, the mohammed ali expansion act. Although it is not my focus in this hearing, it is relevant. I look forward to hearing the perspectives of our witnesses and the legislation on the issues that addresses with fighters contracts the ranking system and the role of managers and promoters. Its my hope that all members of this committee leave this hearing with a better understanding of mma and will continue working in the next congress on the issue that affects all parties in this room, especially the fighters. Thank you, mr. Chairman. I yield back. Rep. Burgess the chair thanks the gentlemen. We will conclude with member Opening Statements. Seeing no other members wishing to offer an opening statement, the chair will remind members that pursuant to committee rules, all members Opening Statements will to be made part of the committee record. We do want to thank all of our witnesses for being here today, taking time to testify before the subcommittee. Todays witnesses will have an opportunity to give Opening Statements, followed by questions from members. Our Witness Panel for todays hearing includes the honorable jeff denham from california. The 10th district. Thank you for being here this morning. Representative mr. Jeff novitzky. Miss lydia robinson. Treasurer at the association of boxing commissioners and combative sports. Dr. Ann mckee, professor at Boston University school of medicine. And mr. Randy cotour. President at extreme couture. We appreciate each of you being here today and we will begin our de l with representative nham. Rep. Denham thank you, mr. Chairman. I would like to think the chairman and Ranking Member. I also want to thank representative mullen for bringing this issue to the forefront. It is an important issue to address and make sure there are minimum mandatory requirements as we move forward with this great sport. I had the opportunity to enjoy another great sport, boxing. I spent a lot of time in and around the ring, but also saw the challenges and lasting impacts that those who engage in it. I believe that we need to have some minimum standards because often times, if the health of a fighter is not addressed, you will have a fighter who gets back into the ring early or before they are completely healed. If that happens, that lends itself to have your inheritable, in repairable irrepairable, longterm damage as well. I have seen the lasting impacts of the friends that have gotten back into the ring too early, or before they were completely healed. I do believe the boxing industry has changed. In 1996, the professional boxing safety act made some changes and focused on the physical wellbeing of boxes by establishing the minimum health and Safety Standards for professional boxing with limited federal oversight by department of justice and the federal trade commission. I dont want to see congress insert itself so much that it really interferes with the great sport, but i do believe that there needs to be some minimum mandatory requirements. I also believe that as any business, you hire people. You expect them to operate on your behalf. So i hire a manager, much like i would hire a chief of staff or somebody to manage my company. I expect them to operate on my behalf. And so i think there needs to be , some transparency between the manager and any type of payment outside of a fighter that they may be receiving. In the ali act in 2000, after the 1996 initial act, the ali act addressed that issue. It also addressed some consistency across the states to make sure that boxing commissions across every state had those minimum contracts as well. Much like boxers, mma fighters also receive a card, but i think that it is important we have a Consistent Health inspection for the safety of the fighter to make sure that they are prepared to go back into the ring, back into the battle, and they are fully healthy and prepared to do so. Those minimum standards i think are very important across the country, making sure that our state boxing commissions or in this case, mma fighters have that same safety, health inspection, a clearance to get back into the ring so that their future is safe as well. There are other experts up here that will talk about the rankings and contract negotiations. I think those are important discussions to have right now. But i dont think that theres anything more important than the health and safety of the individual that is engaging in an incredible, great sport. I want to see mma continue to flourish. Im a big fan. But as a former boxer, i also know that the safety that can go with that sport needs to be addressed as well. So i am proud to be a coauthor , of this bill and look forward to working with you as we have future hearings and future amendments and go through the continued process. This is something that i think is not only exciting to address but it is something that is critically important to address. Again, i want to thank mr. Mullin for bringing this to the forefront. Thank you for allowing me to testify. Rep. Burgess chair thanks the gentleman. Mr. Novizky, you ar