Senate Commerce OKs Government Spectrum Valuation Act, E-Sign Revamp

2009150070), along with the Ensuring Network Security Act (S-4472). Maria Cantwell, Wash., and several other Democrats asked to be recorded as opposing S-1626, as did Deb Fischer, R-Neb. Commerce cleared the bill on a voice vote. FCC Commissioner Mike O’Rielly tweeted his praise for S-1626, saying “this needed bill will help spur spectrum efficiency in Federal agencies!” NCTA hailed the bill before the markup. CTIA also praised it. S-1626 “has one goal: to put pressure on federal agencies such as [the Department of Transportation], NOAA, NASA, and DOD to give up spectrum,” Cantwell said. “It is designed to create a wildly inaccurate evaluation of spectrum use, and I hope that we don't ignore how essential federal spectrum is, but come to working together to resolve these issues between agencies.” Commerce advanced S-4159 on a 14-12 party-line vote. The modified measure would update the 2000 Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act to remove a requirement consumers must reasonably demonstrate they can access documents electronically before they can receive an electronic version. “While I think this is an area worth further study, I think it's very important to protect low income consumers who may be on the wrong side of the digital divide and unable to easily access electronic records,” Cantwell said. Senate Commerce decided not to seek a vote on S-4472 because senators wanted additional time to review the measure, a committee aide said. S-4472 and House companion HR-8000 would make U.S. providers that have up to 10 million customers eligible for funding to help remove Chinese equipment determined to threaten national security (see 2008120030).