Rush Presses for Women- and Minority-Owned Participation Before Key House Telecom Subcommittee

{WASHINGTON, D.C. --  This morning, before a packed hearing of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet, U. S. Rep. Bobby L. Rush urged Obama Administration officials responsible for implementing most of the $7.2 billion of new federal resources aimed at expanding America's broadband network to fully comply with his amendment aimed at ensuring equitable participation by women- and minority-owned businesses.

In remarks to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) official charged with implementing the Administration's broadband policy, Mark Seifert, Mr. Rush said, "If the stimulus package is going to be as effective as we think and hope it will be, Congress will play an important oversight role in its implementation. I have long insisted that more diversity is needed in this multi-billion dollar industry.  I intend to closely monitor how this provision is being implemented.  I do not want to see the same indifference we've seen in the past on these matters."

Congressman Rush's full remarks from his appearance before today's subcommittee hearing follow.  Video footage of his remarks will be posted on his website, https://www.house.gov/rush, within 48 hours and the entire hearing may be viewed on the House Energy and Commerce website, https://energycommerce.house.gov, also with 48 hours.

Rush Statement for Communications, Technology and the Internet Subcommittee Hearing on "Oversight of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009:  Broadband"

April 2, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. --  "Mr. Chairman, if the stimulus package is going to be as effective as we think and hope it will be, Congress will play an important oversight role in its implementation.  So I want to thank you for holding this hearing.

"My focus will be on the provision in the broadband title of the stimulus package that requires NTIA to consider whether a potential candidate for grant money is a "socially or economically disadvantaged business" as defined under section 8(a) of the Small Business Act.  This provision was an amendment that I introduced during mark-up, and I want to thank my Democratic and Republican colleagues for accepting the amendment; and I also want to thank you, Chairman Boucher, and Chairman Waxman, and the Committee staff, for fighting to preserve this particular provision during conference with the Senate.  This mandate is not only important to me, but it's important to all of the women and minority-owned businesses out there that continue to face steep barriers when trying to compete in the telecommunications market.

Mr. Chairman, since I have been on this committee, I have long insisted that more diversity is needed in this multi-billion dollar industry.  I intend to closely monitor how this provision is being implemented. I do NOT want to see the same indifference we've seen in the past on these matters. In this regard, I am very pleased to see our former colleague and friend, Mark Seifert, at NTIA, in charge of this important grant program.  With his leadership, I am confident that these grants can play a significant role in helping small women- and minority-owned businesses create jobs and deliver advanced telecommunications services to the American public.

"Thank you again, Mr. Chairman, and I yield back the balance of my time."}