The Senate unanimously passed legislation Wednesday evening that would ban TikTok on federal government devices (see 2212130068). Introduced in April 2021 by Sens. Josh Hawley, R-Mo.; Rick Scott, R-Fla.; Marco Rubio, R-Fla.; and Tom Cotton, R-Ark., the No TikTok on Government Devices Act (S-3455) also passed the Senate unanimously last year. Hawley urged swift passage in both chambers. TikTok said in a statement Hawley’s bill “does nothing to advance U.S. national security interests. We hope that rather than continuing down that road, he will urge the Administration to move forward on an agreement that would actually address his concerns.”

Bipartisan legislation announced Thursday would direct DOJ to launch tech-focused programs to combat domestic abuse. Introduced by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Reps. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., and Debbie Lesko, R-Ariz., the Tech Safety for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault and Stalking Act would authorize a pilot project run by DOJ’s Office on Violence Against Women. The bill targets activity on social media and mobile apps. The pilot program would provide $2 million in grants for “up to 15 clinics and other partnerships providing support to sexual and domestic violence victims who are experiencing technology-enabled abuse,” Wyden’s office said. It would establish an additional DOJ grant program for “nonprofit organizations and institutions of higher education to develop and implement training and educational programs and technical assistance for organizations and individuals who provide support for victims of tech-enabled abuse.”

Republican legislation announced in the Senate Wednesday would direct the FCC to issue a rule requiring commercial porn sites to “adopt age verification technology” and ensure minors can’t access their content. Introduced by Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, the Shielding Children's Retinas from Egregious Exposure on the Net (Screen) Act grants the FCC civil penalty and injunctive relief authority to enforce the rule. It allows companies a 30-day right to cure to avoid enforcement action. Websites would be allowed to choose their verification methods as long as they meet FCC standards in the rule.

Senate Appropriations Financial Services Subcommittee Chairman Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., urged the FCC to “seriously consider the concerns raised by respondents about a GeoBroadcast Solutions’ proposal to modify the commission’s FM booster rules to allow geotargeted ZoneCasting radio broadcasts “and work to address and resolve them to the satisfaction of all parties before any modification” occurs. A dozen House Commerce Committee members (see 2210050058) and Sens. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Ben Cardin, D-Md., also wrote the FCC with concerns about the ZoneCasting proposal. ZoneCasting “would allow radio stations to geotarget programming, including emergency alerts, news, and advertising, to different areas and communities,” Van Hollen said in a letter to FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel that NAB released Wednesday. “Because radio stations operate under licenses that require them to broadcast to a specific geographic area, ZoneCasting would create a new regime where advertisers and stations could pick and choose who hears different types of information and solicitations. And because most radio play occurs while listeners are traveling by car, with ZoneCasting, listeners could hear varying content as they drove around a single region, for example, through Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia, as many do regularly during a single trip.” Opponents have warned the FCC in comments “that the hyper-targeted messaging ZoneCasting enables could reduce the effectiveness of emergency alert systems, exacerbate racial inequity by restricting content and advertising, and undermine the overall economic ecosystem of the broadcast industry, specifically disadvantaging small and minority-owned radio stations,” Van Hollen said: “The limited testing of the technology, which has led to uncertainty about the degree of disruption to listeners and stations from signal interference, is also noteworthy. Despite the voluntary nature of the proposed change, this new technology would be an added expense for radio stations to acquire and maintain.” The FCC didn’t comment.

The National Treasury Employees Union, which represents FCC employees, urged lawmakers Monday to either pass another continuing resolution to extend federal funding past Friday or enact FY 2023 appropriations legislation. Telecom-focused Hill leaders are eyeing whether an FY23 appropriations omnibus package can include broad spectrum legislative language and funding for two major priorities: the FCC’s Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program and next-generation 911 tech upgrades (see 2212070068). “NTEU and the employees we represent are grateful that congressional leaders say they are determined to avoid a shutdown, and we hope an agreement on funding can be reached quickly,” said National President Tony Reardon. “However, it wasn’t that long ago when an impasse forced a historic 35-day shutdown over the holidays, and employees who missed two consecutive paychecks have definitely not forgotten.” Federal employees “deserve to have the resources and staffing levels necessary to get the job done, which is why we will continue to fight for full-year appropriations that accommodate rising costs, additional mandates, growing workloads and new hiring,” Reardon said.

FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington hailed House Commerce Committee leaders Friday for formally filing the Satellite and Telecommunications Streamlining Act (HR-9463). The measure, which House Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, D-N.J., and ranking member Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., circulated in draft form in February (see 2202110064), aims to revamp the FCC's low-earth orbit satellite licensing rules by requiring the commission to issue “specific performance requirements” for satellite licensees to meet on space safety and orbital debris. “Congress has recognized that we must act quickly to secure America’s role as the home to the most innovative new companies in the emerging launch and satellite sectors,” Simington said: “We must therefore ensure that we do not delay U.S. leadership by allowing providers of these invaluable services to get bogged down in the regulatory process. This legislation gives government the keys to ensuring that we continue to lead the world in robust connectivity and in the deployment of new technologies.” Pallone and Rodgers filed HR-9463 and a second bill, the Secure Space Act (HR-9464), Thursday. SSA would bar the FCC from granting satellite licenses to any entity the FCC deems a national security risk under the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act. “America is leading the way in next-generation satellite technologies, which are contributing to a revolution in the communications marketplace,” the lawmakers said: “To make sure the U.S. -- not China -- continues to lead this global industry, we must streamline our regulatory processes to unleash innovation while also ensuring our laws fully protect the American public. We continue to encourage all interested parties to engage with us as we work to usher in a new era of investment and innovation in this critical sector.”

The Competitive Carriers Association, NTCA and six other industry groups urged congressional leaders Thursday to “fully fund” the FCC’s Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program "before the 117th Congress adjourns." Lawmakers are eyeing whether it’s feasible for them to include the full $3.08 billion in additional money needed for the program in a potential FY 2023 appropriations omnibus package currently in negotiations (see 2212070068). “Absent the funding of this shortfall, carriers could only be reimbursed for approximately 40% of their costs, which would preclude them from completing the process,” the groups said in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and their GOP counterparts released Friday. “The successful implementation of this Congressionally mandated national security imperative depends on fully and immediately funding the Program.” Failure “to fund the Program will mean that carriers cannot complete the job of removing and replacing vital equipment in their networks, and the result will be partial or complete shutdowns of service in many areas where no other carrier provides service,” the groups said: “Affected carriers have already begun the ‘rip and replace’ process at the direction of both Congress and the FCC, committing and expending significant resources in good faith reliance that the Program would be fully funded. Beyond planning, some carriers cannot begin implementation until more funding is available or they risk being stuck mid-stream with no path forward and no path back.” The other signers were the Information Technology Industry Council, NATE, the Rural Wireless Association, the Telecommunications Industry Association, the Wireless Infrastructure Association and WTA.

Senate Commerce Committee ranking member Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Communications Subcommittee ranking member John Thune, R-S.D., criticized Commerce Department Inspector General Peggy Gustafson for what they say is a failure to adequately do oversight of NTIA's tribal broadband connectivity program. Congress mandated when it authorized the program via the FY 2021 appropriations and COVID-19 aid law (see 2012220061) that the Commerce IG "review TBCP grants awarded by NTIA and make recommendations to address any waste, fraud or abuse with respect to these grants," with the first two reports due May 16 and Nov. 16 this year, Wicker and Thune said in a letter to Gustafson. The IG office's failure to meet those deadlines "is deeply concerning for two reasons: 1) NTIA has a long and well-documented history of misusing federal dollars when attempting to expand broadband access; and 2) your office has had a significant and ongoing problematic history." Congress has also "recently heard testimony of funds being used to overbuild existing broadband networks which makes it even more alarming your office would disregard its oversight responsibilities," the GOP leaders said. They want Gustafson to "provide a specific timeline" by Dec. 16 for providing the reports to Congress. Commerce didn't comment. Thune earlier this week began a bid for stronger oversight of all federal broadband programs funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and other recent measures (see 2212060067).

Reps. Jimmy Panetta, D-Calif., and Mike Kelly, R-Pa., bowed a House version of the Broadband Grant Tax Treatment Act (S-5021) Wednesday, drawing praise from several communications industry groups. The measure would amend the Internal Revenue Code to ensure that broadband funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and American Rescue Plan Act doesn’t count as taxable income. Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Mark Warner, D-Va., and Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., filed S-5021 in September (see 2209290067). “Although Congress recently provided historic investments to build out our nation’s broadband, many of the small businesses and companies that will use that federal funding to construct the networks and connect our homes could face steep taxes,” Panetta said: “This bill would exempt those grants from federal taxation and ensure that those dollars go directly towards our goal of universal broadband. Congress is working together to address the digital divide with investment and incentives and this bipartisan legislation would make it easier and quicker to close that gap with connectivity all across America.” Panetta’s office cited support from CTIA, NTCA, USTelecom and WTA.

The Senate Commerce Committee advanced the renomination of CPB board Vice Chair Rubydee Calvert and board nominee Diane Kaplan on voice votes Wednesday. Calvert has been on the CPB board since 2018 (see 1805250011). President Joe Biden nominated Kaplan, Rasmuson Foundation CEO, in July (see 2207070053).