Brooklyn, N.Y. - Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke released the following statement today commending President Obama on the signing of the bipartisan budget agreement, which includes the provisions of the Spectrum Pipeline Act of 2015, based on a draft Congresswoman Clarke introduced earlier this month. These provisions direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to identify 30 megahertz (MHz) of wireless spectrum currently controlled by federal agencies and auction it off for commercial use. The sale will provide additional wireless spectrum we will need as the use of wireless devices such as smartphones and tablets continues to increase:
“The Spectrum Pipeline Act will help us prepare for the economy of the future, an economy in which many of our business transactions and personal communications will involve wireless devices such as smartphones and tablet computers. We must have a sufficient capacity of wireless spectrum for these transactions and communication. By auctioning these airwaves the Federal Communications Commission can help provide the additional capacity required, as well as raise a substantial amount (more than $50 billion has been estimated) to fund critical programs such as Head Start and Pell Grants. Including the Spectrum Pipeline Act in the budget agreement is an excellent start, but I will continue to look for ways to free up more spectrum in order to meet the needs of consumers,“ said Congresswoman Clarke, who has also worked to expand access to broadcast spectrum for small businesses.
Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, a member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, and the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, the Committee on Ethics and the Committee of Small Business in the House of Representatives, proudly represents Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Gerritsen Beach, Madison, Midwood, Park Slope, Flatlands, Prospect Heights, Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, Sheepshead Bay, and Windsor Terrace.
