joining us are two of the authors of the 1996 telecommunications act rick boucher who is a democrat from virginia served in congress from 1983 to 2011 and jack sub 3a republican in texas from 1981 to 97. congressman feels what was your role in the development of the 96 pelka medications act? >> guest: it was actually very fortunate. i was the chairman of the subcommittee of telecommunications and finance and telecommunication policy had not in reform since 1934 so there was really a compelling need in 1995 to begin a process of massive telecommunication reform and at that time you basically had ox is. you had a box for broadcasters, a box for telephone companies a box for long-distance you know, cable, satellite and our view was we had to come in and eliminate the last lines of demarcation and promote competition that would be more investment more consumer choice more innovation and fortunately i think the result has proven us correct and that's exactly what has happened. but now we are in a situation you know not that many years later that there needs to be again i think a massive overh

host: rick boucher, served in congress from 1983 to 2011. of government strategy at a law firm. jack fields, the ceo of the 21st century group inc, which is what? guest: we are government affairs agency. host: thank you for being on "the communicators." >> c-span, created by america's cable companies 35 years ago and brought to you as a public service by your local cable or satellite provider. >> on the next "washington aboutl," ian katz talks the new book by treasury secretary geithner, "stress test." then the career and legacy of secretary geithner with this -- dennis ke3lleher and stephen moore. and reports the syrian government recently used chemical weapons against its people, and as always, we will take your calls, and you can join the conversation at facebook and twitter. "washington journal," live at 7:00 a.m. eastern on c-span. >> i wrote something one time, and it stated that in the south, he was looked at as a hero. when you had any kind of

joining us are two of the authors of the 1996 telecommunications act, rick boucher who was a democrat from virginia, served in congress from 1983-2011, jack fields was a republican of texas from 1981-'97. congressman fields, what was your role in the development of the '96 telecommunications act? >> guest: well, i i was actually very fortunate. i was the chairman of the subcommittee on telecommunication and finance, and, you know, telecommunication policy had not been reformed since 1934. so there was really a compelling need in 1995 to begin a process of massive telecommunication reform, and at that time you basically had boxes. you had a box for broadcasters, a box for telephone companies, a box for long distance, you know, cable, satellite, and our view was we had to come in and try to eliminate the lines of demarcation and from mote competition -- and promote competition, believing there'd be innovation, more investment, more consumer choice, more innovation and, you know, fortunately, i think the result has proven us correct, that that's exactly what's happened. but now we're in

joining us are two of the authors of the 1996 telecommunications act, rick boucher who was a democrat from virginia, served in congress from 1983-2011, jack fields was a republican of texas from 1981-'97. congressman fields, what was your role in the development of the '96 telecommunications act? >> guest: well, i i was actually very fortunate. i was the chairman of the subcommittee on telecommunication and finance, and, you know, telecommunication policy had not been reformed since 1934. so there was really a compelling need in 1995 to begin a process of massive telecommunication reform, and at that time you basically had boxes. you had a box for broadcasters, a box for telephone companies, a box for long distance, you know,

. >> coming up next on c-span, "the communicators" with former representatives rick boucher and jack fields talking about their role in drafting the 1996 telecommunications act. and congressional efforts now to rewrite it. after that, a closer look at the islamic terrorist group responsible for abducting 200 schoolgirls in nigeria. this isp.m. eastern, unveiling of the national 9/11 memorial and museum in new york city. c-span, created by america's cable companies 35 years ago and brought to you as a public service by your local cable or satellite provider. host: it has been 18 years since a 1996 telecommunications act was signed by president clinton. today on "the communicators," we are going to discuss that act, its goals, and whether it should be rewritten. joining us are two of the authors of the 1996 telecommunications act, rick a democrat from virginia. i was very fortunate. i was the chairman of the subcommittee on telecommunications and finance. telecommunication policy had not been reform since 1934. so there was really a compelling need in 1995 to begin a process of massive