January 27, 2023

Rodgers Announces Energy and Commerce Leadership

On Wednesday, January 25, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) announced the committee’s leadership and subcommittee membership for the 118^th Congress. Among the subcommittee chairs is Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH), who will serve as chair of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology. NATE congratulates Chair Latta as well as all the new and returning members of the Energy and Commerce Committee and looks forward to working with the committee members to advance key priorities. You can read Rodgers’ announcement here.

Foxx Welcomes GOP Members to Education and Workforce Committee

On Wednesday, January 25, House Committee on Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Fox (R-NC) announced the new and returning Republican Members appointed to serve on the Committee for the 118^th Congress. “I am excited to see such a strong crop of Members join this Committee for the 118^th Congress; they will bring invaluable insight and real-world experience to the table,” said Foxx. You can read more about the Committee’s membership here.

Biden Makes His Pick for Key DOL Position

On Monday, January 23, the White House announced that President Biden has renominated Jessica Looman to be administrator of the Labor Department’s Wage and Hour Division. Back in December, Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN) blocked Looman’s confirmation, stating that her position, among others, was too important to not have a full roll call vote. You can read more about Biden’s nominations here.

NTIA to Launch First Funding Notice for 5G O-RAN Grants this Spring

On Tuesday, January 24, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced during an industry listening session that the agency plans to launch its first notice of funding opportunity for its $1.5 billion Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund this spring. According to a senior NTIA official, the plan will allow the agency to meet the August 2023 statutory deadline contemplated in the CHIPS and Science Act, which appropriated the money as part of an effort to boost the development of 5G open radio access technology. You can read more about the Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund here.