WASHINGTON, DC - Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) yesterday continued committee efforts to improve transparency, efficiency, and accountability at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The subcommittee discussed the FCC Process Reform Act and the FCC Consolidated Reporting Act, both based on legislation that received bipartisan support last Congress. The proposals will minimize the potential for procedural failings, curb abuse, and improve agency decision making. These commonsense solutions also work toward achieving the president’s goal of a “smarter, more innovative, and more accountable government."
The committee’s efforts and draft proposals have garnered significant positive feedback and endorsements from numerous job creators and advocacy groups. A sampling of that support can be found below.
Americans for Tax Reform
“In keeping with the Presidents’ goals of a ‘smarter, more innovative, and more accountable government,’ Congress should continue its efforts to reform FCC rulemaking process and increase FCC transparency as outlined in two bills sponsored by Chairman Greg Walden and passed by the House in the 112th Congress." - Grover Norquist, President, Americans for Tax Reform
AT&T
“We welcome all efforts to improve the transparency, decision making and efficiency of regulatory agencies. To that end, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) reforms proposed by Chairmen Fred Upton and Greg Walden are common sense improvements, with consumers ultimately reaping the benefits of a modernized agency." - Tim McKone, Executive Vice President of Federal Relations, AT&T
Comcast
“At Comcast we have long believed, given the changing marketplace dynamics and implications of FCC decisions, that certain reforms of FCC processes and procedures are appropriate. We applaud Chairman Walden for his efforts to offer a discussion draft, which represents an important next step towards modifying regulatory reforms that have been long discussed by many different Commissions regardless of party or leadership." - David Cohen, Executive Vice President, Comcast
Council for Citizens Against Government Waste
“On behalf of the more than one million members and supporters of the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW), I urge you to support these draft bills. … I strongly urge you to support these two bills to protect American taxpayers, businesses, and consumers from unnecessary regulatory burdens and to ensure a high standard of quality and accountability in the FCC’s rule-making process." - Thomas A. Schatz, President, Council for Citizens Against Government Waste
FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai
“Process often dictates outcomes. Unfortunately, this means that FCC rules and policies can impede investment and innovation in the communications sector. Legislation reforming FCC processes is an important way to address this problem, and I look forward to working with Members of Congress on statutory solutions, including consolidating the many redundant reports that the Commission must produce each year." - Ajit Pai, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission
Free State Foundation
“Given the increasing competiveness in the communications marketplace, FCC reforms, such as those embodied in the draft bills, are needed now more than ever." - Randolph May, President, the Free State Foundation
National Association of Broadcasters
“NAB continues to support efforts by Chairmen Upton and Walden to take a fresh look at FCC processes to ensure that Commission procedures don’t impede the ability to serve the public interest. The agency has a critically important mission, and it is imperative that it execute that mission expeditiously, fairly and in a data-driven manner. We look forward to working with the Committee and the Commission to ensure that the FCC functions at the highest level for the American people." - Gordon Smith, President and CEO, National Association of Broadcasters
National Cable and Telecommunications Association
“We thank Chairman Walden and members of the committee for their continued interest in improving FCC procedures and processes. Given today’s competitive communications landscape, it is appropriate that policymakers carefully consider new ideas that promote transparency and predictability in decision making, streamline reporting requirements and remove outdated regulatory obstacles." - Michael Powell, President and CEO, National Cable and Telecommunications Association
NTCA - The Rural Broadband Association
“Of course we appreciate the Committee focusing attention on the processes by which the Commission ultimately reaches decisions that affect vital communications services upon which all Americans depend. … Transparency and regulatory certainty are certainly important to every telecom industry participant, but they are essential for small, rural network operators who must make significant, long-term investment decisions in hard-to-serve reaches of the country." - Tom Wacker, Vice President of Government Affairs, NTCA, the Rural Broadband Association
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
“FCC regulations and policies increasingly impact wide sectors of the U.S. economy that are responsible for job growth and innovation. The Chamber supports efforts to make the FCC’s current regulatory process more consistent, efficient, transparent, and reflective of today’s dynamic and competitive communications marketplace." - Bill Kovacs, Senior Vice President for the Environment, Technology and Regulatory Affairs, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
USTelecom
“We appreciate the continued efforts of Chairmen Upton and Walden to improve the FCC’s transparency, efficiency, and accountability. The legislation being discussed at today’s hearing will provide for streamlined regulatory processes and increased regulatory certainty…" - Walter B. McCormick Jr., President & CEO, USTelecom
Verizon
“The draft legislation Representative Walden and the Communications and Technology Subcommittee began considering today builds on other efforts already under way in Congress, the Administration, and at the FCC to make government more accountable, transparent, consistent and predictable. … Process reform is an important piece of that effort in creating more efficient, transparent, and fact-based proceedings." - Peter Davidson, Senior Vice President, Federal Government Relations, Verizon
