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The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1542) to deregulate the Internet and high speed data services, and for other purposes:

• Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in opposition to the Tauzin-Dingell Broadband Deployment Act.

• My State of Minnesota has been a pioneer in fostering competition in local telephone markets. In 1999, Minnesota implemented a ruling that required our local telephone companies to share not only its copper wires, but also upgraded lines with competitors. Following Minnesota's lead, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted this line-sharing rule, in effect making it law nation-wide for all the surviving Bell companies.

• Tauzin-Dingell would eliminate this sensible approach that Minnesota initiated. By excluding competitors from the use of upgraded fiber lines, Tauzin-Dingell will create a new monopoly for the Bells. This would mean fewer choices and poorer service for consumers.

• We must not gut the market-opening provisions of the 1996 Telecommunications Act before they have had a chance to take root! It is imperative that we maintain incentives for competition to ensure the best possible services for our constituents.

• Free and equal access to information is vital to the strength of our democracy. However, H.R. 1542 is simply not the answer. I urge my colleagues to join me in opposing H.R. 1542.

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