Congressman August Pfluger questioned witnesses on March 27 about modernizing the 1996 Telecommunications Act during a House Communications and Technology Subcommittee hearing in Washington, DC.
The discussion focused on how the nearly thirty-year-old law has not kept pace with rapid technological advancements, creating inconsistent obligations for industries and consumers. The need to update this framework is seen as important to ensure clarity in today’s dynamic communications environment.
Pfluger said, “Some of my colleagues and many of you have pointed out today that technology has changed significantly over the past thirty years, and although the networks have advanced from copper lines and circuit-switched voice to broadband, streaming, and wireless, many of the regulations still remain outdated.” He commended recent Federal Communications Commission (FCC) efforts to remove unnecessary rules and called for Congress to act similarly.
Witness Adam Thierer agreed with Pfluger’s assessment. “Absolutely agree with it, and what we need to do is move towards date-certain timetables for how we might go about sunsetting certain things. The ‘Delete, Delete, Delete’ proceeding is a really good example of how we can try to move in that direction,” Thierer said. Michael O’Rielly emphasized clear legislative guidance: “What I tell people and tell policymakers is, write in what you don’t want the commission to do… Be very clear what you cannot do is really important.”
Pfluger highlighted his bipartisan Keep It Moving Act aimed at establishing clear timelines for FCC merger reviews. Chip Pickering responded by saying transparent processes are vital: “The faster that we can go through merger reviews…the better we have an open, transparent process with a shot clock is the best way to go.” Pfluger concluded by stressing bipartisanship amid competition with China: “I hope that both sides can really come to the table on this.”
Pfluger represents Texas’ 11th district in Congress after replacing Mike Conaway in 2021 according to official sources. He was born in Houston in 1978 and currently lives in San Angelo as reported by Ballotpedia. In the 2020 general election he defeated Jon Mark Hogg by winning nearly eighty percent of votes according to election data.