Michael Doyle

Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsylvania

Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the Girls of Steel Robotics team for qualifying for the FIRST World Championship for the 9th year in a row. They received a Wildcard slot as a Regional Finalist, and they also won the Gracious Professionalism award at the 2019 Greater Pittsburgh Regional FIRST Robotics Competition in California, PA. Gracious Professionalism celebrates outstanding demonstration of FIRST Core Values by working together both on and off the playing field. The students are proud that their robot qualified them to attend the FIRST World Championship, which has been held in Detroit since 2018. I think that the remarkable accomplishment of continuously making it to the Championship speaks volumes about the dedication these young women have in pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) careers, sustaining their team, and spending thousands of hours collectively doing outreach in the community. Girls of Steel are often referred to as the home-town favorite robotics group and continue to be featured in videos, print media, and blog posts. The Girls of Steel attended the FIRST World Championship in Detroit, Michigan at the end of April--one of the largest competitions of its kind, sometimes referred to as the Super Bowl of Smarts--where they competed against top teams from all over the world. FIRST, which stands for ``For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology,'' is an organization dedicated to engaging our students in STEM fields. Hundreds of thousands of students gain practical, team- based engineering experiences through FIRST every year. As a founder and co-chair of the Congressional Robotics Caucus, I believe competitions like these are important opportunities for our young people to explore potential careers in STEM. I've witnessed firsthand the incredible economic growth and development that these fields have brought to my home district, and I strongly believe that these fields are crucial to our nation's future prosperity. The FIRST Robotics Competition allows students to apply creativity and critical thinking in the demanding and competitive field of robotics, all while instilling a strong sense of pride in participants. I want to commend organizations like FIRST for their important work encouraging young people in these pursuits. Sixty-seven young women from 8th through 12th grades associated with more than 20 schools located in and around the City of Pittsburgh represent this year's Girls of Steel team, and in recognition of their hard work, intelligence, and teamwork, I would like to mention each of these inspiring young ladies by name. They are: Alexandria Adams, Aeryn Anderson, Ciara Anderson, Anjali Angal, Ariella Avigad, Somdatta Basu, Meghna Behari, Justine Bennett, Ashnaa Bhide, Gracie Cain, Rosy Chen, Maya Cranor, Elizabeth Crookston, Claire Cummings, Isha Das, Maggie Davis, Haruka Doi, Riley Doyle, Anna Fedele, Alexandra George, Susanna Getty, Teadora Gildengers, Samhita Gudapati, Sofia Heller, Kristina Hilko, Amanda Hulver, Anna Jablonowski, Caroline Kenney, Janise Kim, Isabelle Kowenhoven, Mary Laird, Alice Liu, Sally Liu, Eve Mango, Alisha Mattson, Lauren Michaels, Abigail Miller-Peterson, Sreyashi Mandal, Lakshmi Mulgund, Abbey Murcek, Anna Nesbitt, Jimin Oh, Norah Ostin, Ariana Pasquella, Lehka Pendyala, Emma Prokop, Grace Raida, Lauren Raida, Ananya Rao, Sedona Rocher, Rachel Sadeh, Brittany Sadej, Swathi Senthil, Vivian Shao, Lauren Shovlin, Kavya Soman, Aditi Srivastava, Anna Staresinic, Tara Staresinic, Aditri Thakur, Langley Turcsanyi, Prishti Tyagi, Anja Vogt, Zoe Woon, Ziya Xu, Julia Young, and Qingqing Zhao. Additionally, I want to convey my deep appreciation to the faculty and staff of Carnegie Mellon University's Field Robotics Center, who have mentored the Girls of Steel since 2010. Because of their efforts, more young women have experienced real-world technological challenges and learned from some of the nation's best at solving these problems. These experiences will certainly benefit these young women in the future. I congratulate the Girls of Steel and wish them all continued success in their academic and professional endeavors.

Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsylvania

Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from Pennsylvania, the Honorable Fred Keller, be permitted to take the oath of office today. His certificate of election has not arrived, but there is no contest and no question has been raised with regard to his election.

Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsylvania

Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to welcome our new colleague representing the 12th District of Pennsylvania, Fred Keller. Mr. Keller comes from Kreamer, Pennsylvania. He comes to us from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, where he served five terms. Before his first election, Mr. Keller worked for 25 years in a factory producing kitchen cabinets, working his way up to manage the plant. He also started his own real estate business. His record of hard work and commitment to public service will surely serve this Chamber well. I am looking forward to working with you, Mr. Keller; and on behalf of the Pennsylvania delegation, I want to welcome you to the House of Representatives. It now gives me great pleasure to yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson).

Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I yield to our newest colleague in the House of Representatives, Congressman Fred Keller.

Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsylvania

Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the artistic ability of a young student from my Congressional District, Caden Ferita from Westinghouse Arts Academy. Caden is the winner of the 2019 18th Congressional District of Pennsylvania's High School Art Competition, ``An Artistic Discovery.'' Caden's artwork, an oil painting entitled ``Rene,'' was selected from a number of outstanding entries in this year's competition. In fact, 28 works from 10 different schools in Pennsylvania's 18th Congressional District were submitted to our panel of respected local artists. It's a real tribute to Ms. Ferita's skill and vision that her work was chosen as the winner of this year's competition. Ms. Ferita's artwork will represent the 18th Congressional District of Pennsylvania in the national exhibit of high school students' artwork that will be displayed in the United States Capitol over the coming year. I encourage my colleagues as well as any visitor to Capitol Hill to view Ms. Ferita's artwork, along with the winning entries from the high school art contests held in other Congressional Districts, which will be on display in the Capitol tunnel. It is amazing to walk through this corridor and see the interpretation of life through the eyes of these young artists from all across our country. Lillianne Taylor from Pittsburgh CAPA was awarded second place for her multi-media composition ``Gabby.'' Caleb McCoy from Woodland Hills High School received third place for his untitled drawing with marker and pen. Nicholas Altland from Upper St. Clair High School was awarded fourth place for his photograph entitled ``Over the Mon,'' and Hayley Shevitz from Pittsburgh CAPA was awarded fifth place for her charcoal drawing ``Mystery-Pop.'' Honorable Mention Awards were presented to works by Mackenzie Freed- DePastino from East Allegheny High School, Taya Tassone from East Allegheny High School, Kyrie Allshouse from Pittsburgh CAPA, Francesca Lojacono from Pittsburgh CAPA, and Ashleigh Smith from South Allegheny High School. I would like to recognize all of the participants in this year's 18th Congressional District High School Art Competition: Brian Genovesi, Khin Lwin, Anthony Provident, Bethany Rechtorik, Bridget Stehle, and Jenna Velgich from Baldwin High School; Ariana Guerra from Bethel Park High School; Amelia Bademosi from Cornerstone Christian Preparatory Academy; Makenzie Freed-DePastino, Madisyn Montgomery, Marissa Riggs, Mandy Ruffing, and Taya Tassone from East Allegheny High School; Sarah Artuhevich from Penn Hills High School; Kyrie Allshouse, Elais Freeman, Francesca Lojacono, Hayley Shevitz, and Lillianne Taylor from Pittsburgh CAPA; Kaelin Rebholz and Ashleigh Smith from South Allegheny High School; Nicholas Altland and Tori Keller from Upper St. Clair. Caden Ferita, Angelina Kukic, and Pheobe Richardson, from Westinghouse Arts Academy; and Caleb McCoy from Woodland Hills High School. I would like to thank these impressive young artists for allowing us to share and celebrate their talent, imagination, and creativity. The efforts these talented students have put into expressing themselves in a powerful and positive manner are deeply inspiring. I hope that all of them will continue to utilize their artistic talents, and I wish them all great success in their future endeavors.

Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsylvania

Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. It is interesting to hear my good friend talk about 5G. When the majority talks about government control of the internet, they should turn their eyes to the White House and the President's plan to nationalize 5G. The only socialist plan to take over the internet is the one coming from the Trump administration and their plan to nationalize 5G. I have documents for the Record talking about numerous articles where the Trump administration proposes to nationalize 5G, and the plan coming from the administration to secure 5G. The gentleman keeps saying that this bill is a government takeover of the internet, but the only government takeover I see is the one that the White House keeps proposing. Now, the amendment that is before us would ask the GAO to examine how the FCC assesses competition, including making recommendations on how to improve their assessment and how to increase competition in these vital markets. This is a key question for so many consumer protections online, not just net neutrality. This bill is about consumers, small business, and democratic values like competition. This is a good amendment. I support this amendment, and I urge all of my colleagues to support it as well.

Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I would say to my good friend, Mr. Walden, and he is my good friend, that if you think the President's plan to nationalize 5G is a bad idea--and I kind of recall the gentleman saying that. As recently as yesterday, the administration in its campaign is still talking about nationalizing 5G. Perhaps it is time to get on the phone or to stand up here on the House floor publicly and talk about some action that we can take as a Congress to make sure that the White House doesn't nationalize 5G. With the amendment before us, bridging the digital divide is one of the great challenges the FCC faces today. The Save the Internet Act is going to give the FCC new tools to address that digital divide. Although broadband technologies keep getting better, they are not reaching everyone, especially those in remote areas, like Native Americans living on Tribal lands. These populations face unique challenges in getting high-speed internet access service. That is why it is critical that the FCC focus on identifying and addressing obstacles to getting high-speed internet onto reservations and Tribal lands. This amendment would instruct the FCC to work more closely with Native Americans to help connect Tribal lands. This amendment is particularly important because of the Trump FCC's illegal attempt to reduce support for the Lifeline program to Tribal communities. This decision was ultimately found to be illegal by the courts. However, it is critical that the Commission talk and listen to the people who understand the problems and represent the communities lacking broadband. Mr. Chairman, I support this commonsense amendment.

Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chair, the Save the Internet Act will ensure net neutrality and help bring the internet to parts of the country that don't yet have it. I would say to my friend from Oregon, the bill is crystal clear on rate regulation. The language clearly prohibits any rate regulation, so rural folks need not worry about that. Through the act, the FCC will have the authority to accelerate deployment of broadband by removing barriers to infrastructure investment and by promoting competition. And, furthering that goal, Congress requires that the FCC report on the state of broadband deployment nationwide. The results, every year, are particularly important because they are used to figure out where to best direct funds for rural broadband deployment. And to name a few, that is important for consumers, schools, libraries, and hospitals that they get the connections they need. And we need to know that the FCC's data is accurate. We expect the FCC to use its best efforts to ensure that the data is up to date and error free before releasing their reports. Recently, the traditional diligence of the FCC has been called into question. According to news reports, the FCC is preparing a report that contains data that an internet service provider has told the FCC is wrong. The carrier reported that it provided high-speed broadband to everyone in 10 states when its actual service area was a fraction of that. This serious oversight seriously alters the state of broadband deployment in this country and calls into question data used by this administration to justify other policies. Despite that internet service provider coming forward, the FCC has not even corrected a press statement that was, in part, based on that erroneous data entitled ``America's Digital Divide Narrows Substantially.'' As the expert agency regulating broadband, it cannot knowingly put out false information that misleads the public. This amendment will help remedy that. That is why I support it, and that is why I think we should all vote for it.

Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding. We keep hearing this talk about how investment plummeted after the 2015 order. Well, we all know that is not true, and the proof is in the pudding. Investment data shows an aggregate increase in investment following the FCC's February 2015 vote to adopt the open internet rules compared to the 2 years following the repeal of the 2015 order, when investment actually decreased. The same is true of most ISPs' individual investments. The majority of publicly traded broadband providers reported investment increases after the 2015 order was adopted. In the first year following adoption of the 2015 rules, census data showed a $3.5 billion jump in capital spending in data processing, hosting, and related services. Moreover, the repeal of the 2015 order did not result in a use boost to infrastructure spending, as the Trump FCC asserted would happen. Instead, investment actually decreased. This amendment before us is important. Though many of our constituents enjoy easy access to high-speed broadband, there are still many pockets of this country that aren't served by high-speed broadband. Or, as my good friend Peter Welch from the great State of Vermont says about the promises of 5G: ``Some of us have no Gs.'' The Save the Internet Act is going to restore net neutrality throughout the country, and it is going to give the FCC key authorities that buttress critical programs, such as the Connect America Fund that provides money to build high-speed broadband out to areas where it would not be economic to do so without the funding. The Save the Internet Act also gives internet service providers nondiscriminatory access to rights of way and poles, which will facilitate build-out in rural areas. Unless we connect our rural communities, the people in them cannot fully be active participants in the 21st century economy. They are missing out on education and workforce opportunities that are so often now delivered online. That is why much of the rural broadband deployment in this country is funded by the Connect America Fund. This amendment would require GAO to examine these issues and to provide a report with recommendations about how the government can promote build-out to hard-to-reach or otherwise overlooked communities. This is such an important policy issue and such an important part of saving the internet. I look forward to joining my colleagues in supporting this amendment.

Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Mr. Chair, I would say to my friend, I think what we are trying to do in these two amendments is, we need the FCC to get on this as soon as possible, but we need the GAO to continue to look at this. But I understand what the gentleman is saying. Look, we know these maps are wrong. I mean, nobody is arguing about that, and it is unacceptable. What the gentlewoman's amendment would do is ask the GAO to do a report to examine the current mapping processes for both wireless and wired line services. They would also be asked to identify what FCC programs and actions rely on maps and to make recommendations on how the FCC could produce more reliable maps. I think this is an important amendment. I support it, and I urge all my colleagues to support it also.

Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chair, I would ask the Congressman, my understanding of his amendment is that it simply restates what is already in the 2015 Open Internet Order, namely, that nothing in this bill would prohibit ISPs from blocking unlawful content and that nothing in this act adds any additional requirement or right for an ISP to decide what is lawful content?

Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman for clarifying that. I support the gentleman's amendment. Since this is the last of the amendments to be offered, I wanted to take this time to thank my friend and the Republican side for a vigorous debate not only in our committee but here on the floor. Mr. Chair, I would be remiss if I didn't thank our staffs, namely Alex Hoehn-Saric, Jerry Leverich, Jennifer Epperson, AJ Brown, Dan Miller, Kenneth Degraff, and my telecom staff, Philip Murphy. Without him, I wouldn't sound as intelligent as I do on these matters. I thank all of the Democratic staff. They worked very hard, and they deserve our thanks. Mr. Chair, this has been a vigorous debate, as it should be, but we are coming to a close now, and I thank my friend for his participation.

Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the motion to recommit.

Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, colleagues, pay close attention this. This proposal is completely unnecessary. Let me tell you why. The bill simply restores the 2015 Open Internet Order that the FCC adopted and was upheld by the courts. Nothing in that order could or did give the FCC the authority to modify, impair, or supersede Federal law. To the contrary, the order said specifically that it did not impose new taxes or impact the Internet Tax Freedom Act. The Internet Tax Freedom Act is Federal law. Nothing in this order allows the FCC to modify, impair, or supersede Federal law. This is a complete nonissue, nothing you need to be worried about; and, frankly, it is just a last-ditch effort to delay and confuse people on net neutrality. Now, let's get down to what this bill really does. What this bill does, basically, is three things: First, the three we all agree on: no blocking, no throttling, and no paid prioritization. Republicans and Democrats say we all agree with that. But, colleagues, that is not the end of the ball game, because we have already seen discriminatory practices by ISPs that aren't covered by blocking, throttling, and paid prioritization. What my friends over here are saying is, sure, the three things we caught them red-handed on that they have already pled guilty to, we are not going to allow that anymore, but any new discriminatory behavior, any new unjust or unreasonable behavior, we don't want a cop on the beat to police that. We don't want to be able to give consumers the right to go to the FCC and get relief from that. It is like locking the front door and leaving the backdoor wide open. Now, let's talk about another thing, too. Two years ago, the Trump FCC repealed the Open Internet Order. What did it replace it with? Nothing. Nada. Zip. Crickets. They did nothing. It is the Wild, Wild West. Let the ISPs do anything they want and consumers be damned. That is what they did. For 2 years, they could have brought their so-called version of light-touch net neutrality to the body. They controlled the House. They controlled the Senate. They got a Republican President. They did nothing because they don't believe in net neutrality, and they don't believe in protecting consumers. Well, I have got news for my friends on this side of the aisle: You are not in charge here anymore. This is a new day. We didn't come to Washington, D.C., to represent companies. We came here to represent the American people. May I tell my colleagues, whether they are Republicans, Democrats, or Independents, 86 percent of the American people say they want these rules restored. Colleagues, this is your first and only chance to tell the American people where you stand on net neutrality and whether you believe that the FCC should protect consumers. This is your chance to be on the right side of history, on the side of the angels, and on the side of the American people. Let's defeat this motion to recommit and pass this bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsylvania

Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chair, I yield myself 3 minutes. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of H.R. 1644, the Save the Internet Act. This bill comes to the floor after more than 18 hours of consideration by the Energy and Commerce Committee over the course of hearings and markups since the start of this Congress. During that time, we have heard from consumer advocates, minority and underrepresented communities, rural broadband providers, small businesses, innovators, entrepreneurs, and millions of constituents, all calling for the restoration of net neutrality rules. In addition, polls show that more than 86 percent of all Americans, whether they be Republicans, Independents, or Democrats, opposed the Trump FCC's repeal of the protections that this bill reinstates. People around the country care deeply about a free and open internet because it is critical for so many communities and sectors of our economy. This legislation will do three things: First, it restores bipartisan, commonsense net neutrality protections and puts a cop back on the beat to protect consumers, small businesses, and competitors from unjust, unreasonable, and discriminatory practices by internet service providers. Second, this bill gives the FCC the authority to protect consumers, now and in the future, through forward-looking regulatory authority. Third, the bill restores the FCC's legal authority to support broadband access and deployment programs through the Universal Service Fund. These programs pay for the deployment of broadband in rural communities through the Connect America Fund and support access for low-income families, seniors, and veterans through the Lifeline program. The Save the Internet Act codifies the FCC's 2015 Open Internet Order and permanently prohibits the FCC from applying provisions on rate setting, unbundling of ISP networks, or levying additional taxes or fees on broadband access. This legislation that we are considering here today charts a new course for net neutrality and would put in place 21st century rules for a 21st century internet. I look forward to advancing this legislation out of the House and, ultimately, through the Congress so that we can restore these essential protections for all Americans. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chair, what my friend refers to as a takeover of the internet we call protecting consumers, and that is what we are asking the FCC to do. I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone), chairman of the full Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I find this pretty humorous that the Republicans want to talk about government takeover of the internet. The only person I know who has proposed publicly to take over the internet is the President of the United States when he said he wants to nationalize 5G. Maybe you guys need to take a little trip over to the White House and prevent that little government takeover of the internet. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Eshoo), a valuable member of this committee.

Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, my friends keep talking about the government takeover of the internet. I am glad to see that they are finally taking a stand against the foolish 5G nationalization proposal that the Trump administration can't seem to stop talking about. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Butterfield).

Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, I would submit that we are listening to the public and our constituents. Eighty-six percent of all Americans--Republicans, Democrats, and Independents-- support what we are doing here today. It is the Republicans who are standing up for a very small number of ISPs in this country. It gives me great pleasure to yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), who is the Speaker of the House.

Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chair, we keep hearing over and over again that same mantra, ``government takeover of the internet.'' What the Republicans call the heavy hand of government is what is actually protecting consumers. If they want to stop a government takeover of the internet, then they had better talk to the White House: ``Trump apparently wants to control 5G in a `state-run' socialist twist to American capitalism.'' That is where you need to take those concerns about the government takeover to. Madam Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Matsui), vice chair of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsylvania. Madam Chair, I would say to the gentlewoman that we know that net neutrality rules don't affect internet speed or internet investment. And who says that? The CEOs of all the internet companies when they are talking to their Wall Street investors. Madam Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. McNerney).

Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsylvania. Madam Chair, may I inquire how much time I have remaining.