After 40 years of dedicated service, Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif) announced that he will not seek re-election at the end of 2014. Rep. Waxman was critical in creating landmark legislation in telecommunications policy and was a committed public interest advocate.
The following can be attributed to Chris J. Lewis, Vice President:
“We are saddened to hear that the House of Representatives will lose a skilled and veteran legislator at the end of this year with the retirement of Rep. Henry Waxman. For 40 years Congressman Waxman has protected American consumers through smart policy making and aggressive government oversight that the public often demands, but Congress does not always deliver.
“In the world of technology and telecom policy, Congressman Waxman has been a reliable supporter of the public interest and a savvy leader on the Energy and Commerce Committee. During a period of increasing partisanship and gridlock, Waxman has found a way to work with members of both parties to pass telecom bills that expanded the rights of the disabled and brought new spectrum for mobile broadband and other innovative uses. Even when not passing laws, his behind the scenes work created the space for bipartisan support for USF reform. Last year his advocacy for reforming predatory prison phone rates helped move the FCC towards its landmark reforms. When the 113th Congress closes, the public interest community will miss his
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