E-News from Congressman Murphy - March 31
Press Release
FCC Ruling - Did Congress just vote to take away online privacy protections?
This week, the Internet has been buzzing with a lot of misinformation about a Congressional Resolution to stop the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from implementing a "Midnight Rule" deliberated in the waning hours of the Obama Administration on data collection. To clear up the falsehoods on about Congress passing a bill taking away online privacy protections, please take a look at important topline facts.
What is the resolution? What does it do?
A Congressional Review Act (CRA) allows Congress to reject rules proposed by federal agencies within 60 days of their effective date. Less than thirty words long ("That Congress disapproves the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission relating to "Protecting the Privacy of Customers of Broadband and Other Telecommunications Services' and such rule shall have no force or effect,") this resolution prevented the FCC from advancing the Obama Midnight Rule, which has not gone into effect.
What are the proposed FCC rules?
In 2016, under the Obama Administration, the FCC adopted a rule requiring ISP's - and only IPS's - to receive consumer consent, or "opt-in" when collecting consumer information like browsing history and geo-location. Were it to be implemented, it would have been the first time in U.S. internet law in which an "opt-in" regime was adopted, rejecting the longstanding "opt-out" regime. The status quo: Internet companies collect and use contextual data unless users request not to do so, or they request to "opt-out." The impact of this seemingly minor difference actually would have limited the ability of ISP's to enter the Internet advertising market.
Prior to this rule, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) had sole and proper jurisdiction on internet consumer protection for over a decade with no indication that another agency action was needed. The FCC's proposed duplicative rule would have done little to protect consumer privacy and instead created confusion for consumers. Moreover, the rule would have given unfair advantage in an already highly concentrated market dominated by just two companies: Google and Facebook (Google accounts for 40% of the digital ad market, nearly 80% of total U.S. search ad revenues). However, remember that the rule would have no effect on these two giants, as it would have only applied to small ISP's.
What doesn't this resolution do?
Tuesday's vote did not authorize ISP's or anyone else to "sell" customer data or investigate your web browsing history.
What is the net impact of my privacy of this action?
Zero. Congress' decision to kill the FCC's proposed rules will leave in place data collection and use policies exactly as they are.
Where does Congressman Murphy stand on this issue?
Murphy strongly supports online privacy rules to protect sensitive personal and consumer digital information. The Congressman voted in favor of the Email Privacy Act (H.R. 387) which passed the House earlier this year and sets the highest standard for government access to private internet communications. The Email Privacy Act protects emails, data and digital communications by requiring authorities to obtain a search warrant before gaining access to any such forms of communication.
Murphy Chairs Annual Steel Caucus Hearing
Led by Chairman Tim Murphy, this week the Congressional Steel Caucus convened their annual hearing. This year's hearing, entitled "America Rebounding: Steel in 2017 and Beyond," presented a positive, optimistic outlook on the future of U.S. steel.
"For years now, the Congressional Steel Caucus has fought for a strong, U.S.-centered steel and energy agenda," said Chairman Murphy, who has been at the helm of the Steel Caucus since 2010. "I am excited to see President Trump prioritize this agenda so soon after taking office. The Caucus will be an active participant in the development of any plans for national infrastructure rebuilding, ensuring that all segments of the steel community -- and the American people, more broadly -- have an opportunity to share in its success."
This year's hearing offered unique insight to the importance of the domestic steel industry, especially as it relates to U.S. national security.
It's well known that a robust domestic steel industry is good for our nation's bridges and infrastructure. What is less often discussed is the indispensable role it plays in our national defense, and specifically for our shipbuilding industry, the largest military user of American steel.
In his opening statement, Bryan Clark, a senior fellow with the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments who previously served on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations, noted: "Shipbuilding for the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard is the largest single user of American steel for military and homeland defense, with steel making up about half of a warship's weight. A 100,000-ton aircraft carrier, for example, requires about 48,000 tons of steel, and the fleet overall contains about six million tons of American-made steel."
Today, the U.S. Navy is the smallest it's been since 1916. Clark pointed out that America's current fleet is overworked and under-maintained, noting that the timing is troublesome, when terrorist threats such as the Islamic State remain a concern and attacks on Western targets continue.
Earlier this month, President Trump acknowledged the role of American steel as a critical component to our national defense during a visit to Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc. in Newport News, Virginia. Addressing thousands of sailors, shipbuilders and other officials, he promised "a great rebuilding of the United States military and the United States Navy."
Another witness testifying at the hearing, Tracy Porter from the Commercial Metals Company, assured Chairman Murphy and other members of Congress that the domestic steel industry has the capacity to meet demand, noting that U.S. capacity is far in excess of current domestic consumption.
Murphy concluded: "This year's hearing was a great success. I look forward to continue working with President Trump and the Steel Caucus to bring back steel and manufacturing jobs to the U.S., undo the terrible deals of the past and put the our domestic steel economy on sound footing to keep it Made in America, especially as it relates to U.S. national security. "
On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced its affirmative final determinations that steel producers in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan are dumping imports of carbon and alloy steel plate (steel plate) in the United States.
"This is exactly what we've been waiting for: a Commerce Department taking international steel dumping and trade cheating seriously," said Chairman Murphy.
In April, Murphy is scheduled to discuss specific steel and trade policies with Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross.
Murphy Speaks at "Telehealth: Improving Mental and Behavioral Care" Forum
Today our nation is experiencing a shocking shortage of mental health providers: some 55% of counties don't have a single practicing psychiatrist, psychologist, or social worker; a full 36 states have a shortage of psychiatric nurses; and for the 17 million children with a mental health condition, there are only 9,000 child and adolescent psychiatrists available to meet their needs.
Congressman Murphy's Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act included robust support for tele-mental health care; including development of Tele--Psychiatry to deliver timely access to child psychiatry consultation and, when indicated, transitional services for their patients while helping families make arrangements for ongoing behavioral health care.
On Tuesday, Congressman Murphy was invited by the American Telemedicine Association to a forum entitled: "Telehealth: Improving Mental and Behavioral Care." During his remarks, Murphy spoke about how tele-mental health services are helping to address a shortage of professionals as the nation struggles with suicide, workplace stress, opioid addiction, and a host of other serious behavioral health issues.
"If we really want to transform health care costs, we have to transform the way we deliver health care," said Murphy.
Vietnam Veteran's Day: Honoring those who have served
The debt our nation owes to the men and women of the Armed Forces can never be fully repaid. While taking the time to honor those who have served is a small way to share your gratitude, it is an American duty to do so. a On Thursday, our nation celebrated Vietnam Veteran's Day to honor our brave men and women who served in the Vietnam War.
And earlier this week, President Trump signed S. 305, "Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017" into law which encourages the display of the U.S. flag on National Vietnam War Veterans Day, which is celebrated on March 29.
Congressman Murphy continues to advocate for practical ways to honor those who have served, namely, improving veterans access to care.
"Southwestern Pennsylvania is home to thousands of veterans, and while we have made strides to deliver the best services for our heroes, we need to keep following through on our promises to deliver high-quality healthcare and meet the needs of those who dedicated their lives to protecting our freedoms," said Murphy.
"We have an obligation to care for our brave servicemen and women when they come home."
Last year, the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act was signed into law. The law requires an annual review and continual improvements to VA & DoD programs to help soldiers recover from post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury. It also directs the VA to hire additional psychiatrists to fill the shortage gap and establishes programs to help soldiers transition back into civilian life and access mental health services.
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