Senate Homeland Security Committee Chairman Gary Peters, D-Mich., said Wednesday his office is crafting legislation that will help the federal government harmonize its confusing “web” of cyber regulations. National Cyber Director Harry Coker called for congressional help Tuesday, announcing a pilot program for his office’s harmonization effort (see 2406040029). Peters said during a hearing Wednesday that in the past four years, regulators have approved 48 cyber rules. That’s in addition to the multitude of regulations passed at the state and local level, he said. Some industries, including banking, must answer to more than a dozen federal agencies on cybersecurity issues, he said. Peters’ bill would create a “harmonization committee” at the Office of the National Cyber Director that would coordinate efforts with agencies. Without higher level coordination, there’s no way to ensure the rules don’t overlap, duplicate or contradict each other, the lawmaker said. A more coherent network will help U.S. companies compete globally, he added. Information and communications technology is largely the same regardless of the industry, said Nicholas Leiserson, assistant national cyber director-cyber policy and programs, during the hearing: That means it’s possible to set baseline requirements across sectors.

Fifty state-level broadcasters’ groups urged congressional leaders Thursday to move forward on the Broadcast Varied Ownership Incentives for Community Expanded Service Act (HR-8072/S-4158), which would restore the minority ownership tax certificate (see 2404230057). HR-8072/S-4158, like previous iterations (see 2108120054), would also direct that the FCC make recommendations on improving ownership diversity. Broadcasters’ “strength is in our ability to cover diverse community experiences and tell stories from an authentic perspective,” the broadcasters said in a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and the chambers’ minority leaders. “The tax certificate program will help us build a local media landscape that reflects our communities on the air, both in the control booth and boardroom.” HR-8072/S-4158 will also “help with building a pipeline for a new generation of broadcast station owners that is inclusive of women, people of color and other underrepresented individuals,” the group said.

The FTC and SEC should hold UnitedHealth Group accountable for “negligent cyber practices” that exacerbated a February ransomware attack against the company, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, D-Ore., wrote the agencies Thursday. UHG confirmed hackers initially breached a remote access server because it wasn’t protected with multifactor authentication, Wyden said: “The cyberattack against UHG could have been prevented had UHG followed industry best practices. UHG’s failure to follow those best practices, and the harm that resulted, is the responsibility of the company’s senior officials.” Wyden urged the FTC and SEC to investigate UHG’s “numerous cybersecurity and technology failures” and determine if it broke federal laws. The FTC confirmed receiving the letter but declined comment. The SEC said Chair Gary Gensler will respond to Congress directly. UHG defended the company’s response to the attack on Change Healthcare. A spokesperson said Thursday: “The fact that the company moved quickly and effectively in response to this attack is testament to our company’s commitment to strong cybersecurity.” UGH is looking forward to working with policymakers and stakeholders to develop “strong, practical solutions,” the company said.

The House Agriculture Committee-passed farm bill includes a “critical” provision that would help streamline regulations slowing rural connectivity, USTelecom said Friday. The committee voted 33-21 Friday to approve the farm bill with four Democrats in support. The bill includes language from the Facilitating Optimal and Rapid Expansion and Siting of Telecommunications (Forest) Act. Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., who introduced the legislation, successfully attached it as an amendment to the farm bill. The amendment would require that the U.S. Forest Service recognize previously approved permits with prior environmental and historical preservation approvals. “At a time when rural connectivity is more critical than ever, the Forest amendment in the Farm Bill trims back the regulatory underbrush that has been slowing it down,” said Brandon Heiner, USTelecom senior vice president-government affairs. “Speeding up the broadband permitting process on federal Forest Service lands is not only necessary, but long overdue.” If the House passes it, the farm bill would need to be reconciled with language from the Democratic-led Senate. Congress did not approve a farm bill in 2023.

The House Innovation Subcommittee voted to forward the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act (HR-8449) (see 2404300067) to the full committee without additional amendments. At Thursday's markup hearing, the subcommittee also discussed the American Privacy Rights Act and the Kids Online Safety Act (see 2405230056). Representatives from both parties praised the AM radio bill, which drew no criticisms at the markup. “From the very beginning this has been totally bipartisan on the committee,” said House Commerce Committee ranking member Rep. Frank Pallone, D-N.J. “I have heard from almost every member of the committee about why they want to do this.” Removing AM radio from vehicles is “inappropriate and premature,” said House Innovation Chairman Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla. The bill would direct the Department of Transportation -- in consultation with the FCC and Federal Emergency Management Agency -- to issue a rule requiring automakers to maintain AM radio in cars and provide disclosures for existing cars that don’t have AM receivers. The bill would also require the Government Accountability Office to study AM and possible improvements to the emergency communications system.

House Communications Subcommittee Chairman Bob Latta, R-Ohio, introduced a Congressional Review Act resolution of disapproval opposing new FCC net neutrality rules. The introduction was expected (see 2404250005). “It’s incredulous we’re having the debate again about the FCC’s so-called ‘net neutrality’ order when its repeal in 2017 led to lower prices, faster Internet speeds, and increased investment in broadband networks," Latta said Thursday. "Once again, the Biden administration is prioritizing heavy-handed government control, made evident in the FCC’s latest push to control the Internet.”

Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., and Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., announced legislation Tuesday that would have the Commerce Department leading a “government-wide approach” to monitoring and identifying gaps in U.S. supply chains. The Promoting Resilient Supply Chains Act targets supply chains for “emerging technologies” and “critical industries.” Cantwell’s office cited supply chain disruptions, including a global chip shortage, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic as motivation for introducing the bill. The legislation would direct that the Commerce Department create a program to “map, monitor and model U.S. supply chains.” The department would identify and anticipate gaps for “critical goods,” including “any gaps in manufacturing, warehousing, transportation and distribution.” Commerce would create an “early warning supply chain disruption system” using AI and quantum computing to “identify potential supply chain shocks before they occur.”

The House Innovation Subcommittee will mark up two bipartisan privacy bills and a radio broadcast-related bill Thursday, the House Commerce Committee announced Wednesday. The markup agenda includes: the American Privacy Rights Act (see 2404080062), the Kids Online Safety Act (HR-7891) and the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act (HR-8449) (see 2404300067).

The Senate Commerce Committee should reject the Kids Off Social Media Act (see 2405100028) because it would harm children’s privacy, safety and First Amendment rights, more than 30 consumer advocate groups wrote Thursday. Signees included the American Civil Liberties Union, Center for Democracy & Technology, Chamber of Progress, Electronic Frontier Foundation, Fight for the Future, Free Press Action, New America’s Open Technology Institute and Public Knowledge. Introduced by Sens. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii; Ted Cruz, R-Texas; Chris Murphy, D-Conn.; and Katie Britt, R-Ala., the Kids Off Social Media Act (S-4213) incentivizes schools to “spy on children,” imposes unconstitutional restrictions on access to online services and undermines existing child protections, the consumer advocates said. For example, the legislation would hinder children from using chronological feeds, which help create “age-appropriate online experiences,” they said. The legislation was scheduled for a markup Thursday, which the Senate Commerce Committee postponed (see 2405160066).

The House's passage Wednesday night of the NTIA Reauthorization Act (HR-4510) was met with industry group applause. The Computer & Communications Industry Association said Thursday reauthorization "is critical to wireless innovation and advancement" and that the Senate should consider reauthorization expeditiously. ACA Connects said the reauthorization "will help ensure NTIA manages resources effectively to close the digital divide, enhance cyber security, and secure supply chains." The bill passed 374-36. During Wednesday's House Communications Subcommittee oversight hearing (see 2405150020), NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson said updating NTIA's authorizing statute -- last done in 1992 -- was long overdue. He said reauthorization would bring needed clarity to NTIA's role in internet policy, spectrum and cybersecurity.