Legislation

On September 24, 2009, Rep Doris Matsui (D-CA) introduced the Broadband Affordability Act of 2009 (H.R. 3646), a bill to establish a Lifeline Assistance Program for universal broadband adoption.

On December 11, 2009, Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) introduced the Broadband Opportunity and Affordability Act (S. 2879). The bill would create a two-year pilot program to expand the Federal Communications Commission's Lifeline program to support the recurring cost of basic broadband service for eligible low-income households. (The FCC's existing Lifeline program subsidizes the recurring expenses of maintaining basic phone service in low-income households.) The bill also asks the FCC to provide Congress with a report on expanding the related Link-Up program to assist with the costs of securing computer equipment to start up broadband service. (The FCC's existing Link-Up program subsidizes the start up costs of beginning basic phone service for low-income consumers.)

In early November 2009, Reps Rick Boucher (D-VA) and Lee Terry (R-NE) released a discussion draft of the Universal Service Reform Act of 2009. The measure will improve the Universal Service Fund (USF) and ensure its continued viability by broadening the base of contributions into the Fund and controlling distributions from the Fund, allowing use of the Fund for broadband deployment.

On March 12, 2009, Sen Maria Cantwell (D-WA) introduced the Local Community Radio Act (S 592), a companion bill for Rep Doyle's H.R.1147.

On February 24, 2009, Rep Mike Doyle (D-PA) introduced the Local Community Radio Act (HR 1147), a bill to imlpement the recommendations of the Federal Communications Commission report to the Congress regarding low-power FM service.

On Friday, July 31, 2009, Reps Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA) introduced the Internet Freedom Preservation Act, a bill to establish overarching national broadband policy and ensures an open and consumer oriented Internet.

On July 8, 2009, House Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) introduced the Radio Spectrum Inventory Act, a bill to require an inventory of radio spectrum bands managed by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the Federal Communications Commission.

On March 19, 2009, Sen John Kerry (D-MA) introduced the Radio Spectrum Inventory Act, a bill to require an inventory of radio spectrum bands managed by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the Federal Communications Commission.

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller has introduced legislation that will facilitate nationwide adoption of electronic health records, particularly among small, rural providers.

On February 13, 2009, Congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (H.R. 1), a bill to create jobs, restore economic growth, and strengthen America's middle class through measures that modernize the nation's infrastructure, enhance America's energy independence, expand educational opportunities, preserve and improve affordable health care, provide tax relief, and protect those in greatest need.