Clinton/Kaine Will Tackle Broadband in First 100 Days, Campaign Book Says
Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and vice presidential running mate Tim Kaine, senator from Virginia, will fight “for an open Internet abroad,” they said in a 288-page policy book published by Simon & Schuster Tuesday. Clinton previously outlined a tech and telecom agenda and defended net neutrality, including in the latest order issued by the FCC. The book collects those promises and affirmatively says broadband will be part of her first-100-days infrastructure plan -- the largest investment since World War II, she's said (see 1606280071).
“It is the responsibility of all nations to respect free speech and human rights online,” Clinton and Kaine said in the document's open internet section. “Unfortunately, some countries continue to erect barriers to prevent their people from using the Internet fully and freely. We are in a contest between the values of open and closed societies, and we must stand with like-minded countries against efforts by countries like China or Russia to block or degrade Internet access, shut down social media, and create a balkanized Internet run by governments.”
The book's initial pages focus on the infrastructure plan, which aides say will incorporate some of her broadband deployment goals. She has talked of wanting to connect all households to high-speed broadband by 2020 and a revival of broadband stimulus spending. “In California, one school district has had to resort to installing Wi-Fi on school buses because so many children lack access to the affordable, high-speed broadband they need to do their homework at home,” the candidates said.
The investments should be “built to last” and “will prioritize making investments that upgrade and expand multiple kinds of infrastructure at once,” they said. “Broadband cable can be laid at the same time a water system or gas pipes are being upgraded.” On the plan’s focus, the first section notes the broadband connectivity goals, the 2020 deadline and connecting “public spaces” like “more schools, workplaces, libraries, hospitals” to Wi-Fi, saying that's important for the IoT.
Clinton has provided much more grist for tech and telecom policy observers than has GOP opponent Donald Trump, said the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation in a report released Tuesday. “Trump has focused more on reducing government barriers in the economy, including taxes and regulations, which would, among other things, affect innovation,” said the 39-page report, which names several ITIF officials among authors. “But Trump has been largely silent on innovation as an issue overall. In contrast, Clinton has explicitly talked about innovation, but she has focused more on establishing and expanding public-private partnerships to drive innovation and ensure that its benefits are widely shared.” ITIF lists candidates’ positions, frequently supplying descriptions of Clinton positions while saying Trump hasn't made any statements. Trade, telecom, immigration, education and taxes are issues ITIF examined. The “most distinguishing feature of the Trump campaign agenda in this area has been its notable lack of articulated policy positions,” ITIF said.
Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., has predicted that Trump would release a tech agenda before the presidential debates (see 1606290073). The first debate is Sept. 26 at Hofstra University in New York.
The Clinton/Kaine book includes a long section on cybersecurity, warning cyberattacks pose “profound consequences for our economy and national security.” They say attacks will “grow more frequent” and point to several countries with technical sophistication, “namely Russia, China, next-level Iran, next-level North Korea.” They say there’s a need for a comprehensive approach and cite the vulnerability of the electric grid, saying they would “enhance grid security by creating a threat assessment and response team.” The campaign promised to “provide new tools and resources to states, cities, and rural communities” for the right investments in cyber protection. One prong is sanctions against nations that “carry out illicit behaviors like cyberattacks,” naming Iran as a possible example. “We have to build on the U.S. Cybersecurity National Action Plan by empowering a federal Chief Information Security Officer and upgrading government-wide cybersecurity.”
On encryption, it said: “The tech community and the government have to stop seeing each other as adversaries and start working together to protect our safety and our privacy. Creating a National Commission on Encryption could help. And our security professionals could use the advice and talents of technology professionals to help us figure out how to stay ahead of the terrorists.”