WASHINGTON — On Thursday, the House Energy and Commerce Committee Democrats selected Rep. Mike Doyle (D–Pennsylvania) to serve as ranking member on the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

Over the course of his more than 20 years in Congress, Doyle has consistently stood up for diverse media and the open internet.

In 2011, Doyle co-sponsored the Local Community Radio Act legislation that opened up new opportunities for community-based Low Power FM radio stations across the country.

Doyle has long advocated for real Net Neutrality, hailing the 2016 appellate decision that upheld the Federal Communications Commission’s landmark Open Internet Order as a “momentous victory for American consumers and innovators.”

In 2016, Doyle backed the FCC’s strong broadband privacy rules as well as the agency’s modernization of the Lifeline program to support broadband access. He also spearheaded congressional efforts calling for reform of the special access market, and supported the FCC’s work to promote community broadband networks.

Free Press Action Fund Policy Director Matt Wood made the following statement:

“Representative Doyle is well placed to carry on the excellent work of Representative Anna Eshoo on the subcommittee. He’s been a champion for Net Neutrality, affordable internet access and community radio. He’s also taken on tough fights to protect people’s pocketbooks
against the excesses of telecom monopolies.

“The fights ahead in this Congress will be difficult, with too many members of the majority party itching to dismantle hard-won communications rights. We thank Eshoo for her leadership in the last Congress, and look forward to continued work with Doyle in defense of recent victories at the FCC and in the courts.”