Congressman Brett Guthrie, Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Congressman Richard Hudson, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, announced on March 9 a hearing titled ‘Securing U.S. Leadership of Communications Technology.’ The hearing is scheduled for March 18 at 2:00 PM ET in the Rayburn House Office Building and will be open to the public and press, with a livestream available online.
The hearing aims to inform Congress about challenges and opportunities related to the upcoming 2027 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-27), which will take place in Shanghai, China. According to Guthrie and Hudson, “To compete, innovate, and succeed in the 21st century, the United States must lead the development and deployment of cutting-edge digital devices and services. Despite taking place in Shanghai, China, in 2027, the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-27) is a critical opportunity to pursue American interests and shape global communications policy. Constructive, bipartisan discussions, such as next week’s hearing, will help inform Congress on the challenges and opportunities ahead, in order to develop a unified vision for WRC-27.”
Fiona M. Alexander of American University provided testimony highlighting that success at international forums like the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) requires clear policy goals, early interagency decision-making involving industry stakeholders, coalition-building with allies and partners, and pragmatic delegation leadership prepared for negotiation. Alexander said that decisions made at ITU meetings impact daily life through their influence on global standards for information and communication technologies.
Alexander described how preparations for major treaty conferences begin years in advance. She noted that coalition-building within organizations such as CITEL—the Inter-American Telecommunication Commission—and with other international partners is essential for advancing U.S. positions at ITU events.
She also emphasized that upcoming events like the November 2026 ITU Plenipotentiary Conference are pivotal for U.S. interests leading into WRC-27. Alexander said it is important not only to secure key leadership roles within ITU but also to prevent changes that could broaden ITU authority over areas like Internet or artificial intelligence governance.
Alexander concluded by stating that congressional engagement signals strong support from across government for U.S. objectives at ITU meetings. She said hearings such as this one help raise awareness about these often-overlooked issues affecting national security and innovation.
For more details about the hearing or to access the livestream when available, visit the official announcement at energycommerce.house.gov.
