WASHINGTON, DC - Leaders of the House Energy and Commerce Committee today announced an agreement with Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler to amend the FCC’s plans to close FCC field offices.
“Communities across America will continue to be served even as the commission becomes more efficient - it’s a win-win," said full committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI). “It also demonstrates how much we can accomplish when we work together to tackle the many tough issues we face."
“We found a good solution that makes sense. These changes will keep field offices open in strategic locations and help ensure that the commission can fulfill its responsibilities to the public and public safety communities. This agreement strikes a balance between the important work of FCC field agents and streamlining field operations to ensure the efficient use of taxpayer dollars," said Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR). “Positive outcomes often result from collaborative work. This agreement represents just such an effort. I look forward to continued work with Chairman Wheeler and the commission."
The revised plan will keep 15 of the FCC’s 24 field offices open, ensure better rapid response capabilities for the west, provide a mechanism for escalating interference complaints, improve enforcement of the FCC’s rules against pirate radio operators, and prevent the commission from transferring field office jobs to the FCC’s Washington, D.C. headquarters. Energy and Commerce Committee leaders have pressed the FCC on the potential closure of two-thirds of the agency’s field offices for several months.
Scheduling Note
The Communications and Technology Subcommittee hearing scheduled for Thursday, June 11, 2015, on “Oversight of FCC Field Offices" has been cancelled.
Read the committee’s April 23, 2015, letter to FCC Chairman Wheeler HERE.
