WASHINGTON – Today the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation approved the MOBILE NOW Act to boost the development of next-generation 5G wireless broadband by ensuring more spectrum is made available for commercial use and reducing the red tape for building wireless networks. The committee also approved nominations for three agencies.

Committee Chairman John Thune (R-S.D.) and Ranking Member Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) sponsored the legislation and provided the following statements:

“The committee’s advancement of the MOBILE NOW Act was truly a bipartisan effort,” Thune said. “Enactment of this legislation will pave the way to a 5G future where Americans have access to ultra-fast, next generation wireless technology.”

“It is hard to imagine our lives today without our mobile phones,” Nelson said. “And our reliance on these devices will only grow.  This bill will help consumers get better coverage, faster service, and more access to innovative new technologies.”

Bills and nominations considered are as follows (all passed by voice vote):

1.    S. 2555, MOBILE Now Act, Sponsors: Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.)

2.    T.F. Scott Darling III, to be Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

3.    Daniel B. Maffei, to be a Commissioner at the Federal Maritime Commission

4.    Nominations for promotion in the U.S. Coast Guard

Click here for additional information on nominees.