App and Semiconductor Bills to Be Studied, Think Tank Wants Republicans on FTC, WISPAMERICA Opens
Legislation to be considered include revealing Chinese backers of apps and getting investment for semiconductor manufacturers.
March 7, 2023 – The House Energy and Commerce Committee announced Tuesday that it will hold a mark-up on 20 pieces of legislations on Thursday.
Among the relevant legislation to be studied are The Internet Application I.D Act and The Securing Semiconductor Supply Chains Act of 2023.
The former was introduced by Rep. Russ Fulcher, R-ID, and Rep. Chris Pappas, D-NH., and would require operators of internet websites and mobile applications that are partially or wholly owned by the Chinese Communist Party to disclose this information to consumers who use their product.
The latter was introduced by Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-CA, and Rep. Greg Pence, R-IN., would direct the Commerce Department’s SelectUSA program – in collaboration with federal agencies and state economic development organizations – to develop strategies to attract investment in U.S. semiconductor manufacturers and supply chains.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration last week opened for bidders money from the Chips and Science Act, which is intended to boost the domestic manufacturing of semiconductors.
Senate minority leader urged to fill FTC vacancy with Republicans
Conservative think tank leaders sent a letter on Tuesday to the Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell to fill the Federal Trade Commission vacancies with two Republican commissioners.
“No reasonable person can deny that Big Tech companies have put their thumbs on the scale to prop up the Democratic Party,” said the letter, “but the sad truth is that despite Big Tech’s lawless suppression of conservatives, previous FTC actions have enabled tech oligarchs’ monopolistic practices.”
The letter said this is an opportunity to nominate conservatives take to task Big Tech, which has peeved the Republicans over the years for banning accounts of conservative voices.
Following the departure of Noah Phillips in October, Christine Wilson also announced her resignation in February while accusing FTC Chairwoman Lina Khan of taking the commission past its congressionally-imposed limits.
The resignations of the Republican commissioners leave the FTC with just three Democratic commissioners.
WISPAMERICA opens to discuss the future broadband funding
The Wireless Internet Service Providers Association’s annual WISPAMERICA event opened on Monday with its Broadband Billions Bootcamp in Louisville Kentucky.
The first day of the conference featured updates on the NTIA’s $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access Deployment program. In particular, the panel presentations will bring to light newly emerging details of the funding opportunity to assist WISPs with varying operational models, according to press release on Monday.
The WISPA has approximately 1000 members providing fixed broadband connectivity, and include equipment suppliers, support services, and other industry partners and stakeholders. Their members provide broadband access to millions of residential and business customers in rural, urban, and Tribal areas across America.
The event will run from March 6 through March 9.
