WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a full committee hearing today to review the National Broadband Plan.

Witness List:

The Honorable Julius Genachowski, Chairman, Federal Communications Commission

Key Quotations from Today’s Hearing:

“In this new century, universal broadband service is the promise of a fair shot at economic opportunity. It is the promise of educational equality and affordable health care. And it opens the door to participate in our democratic dialogue with dignity, no matter who you are or where you live. I am going to challenge the FCC to make the hard choices that will help bring broadband to every corner of this country. Putting ideas on paper is not enough. Just seeking comment on a slew of issues is not enough. It’s action that counts.”

Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV

“Altogether, 93 million Americans are not connected to broadband at home, including 13 million children. And 14 million Americans do not have access to broadband where they live, even if they want it. The important point is to act on the challenges and opportunities of broadband. I believe this essential mission is completely consistent with the Communications Act, and I can assure the Committee that our actions will be rooted in a sound legal foundation, designed to promote investment, innovation, competition, and consumer interests.”

The Honorable Julius Genachowski, Chairman, Federal Communications Commission

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