WASHINGTON, DC - The House Communications and Technology Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR), on Tuesday continued its oversight of the Federal Communications Commission. Members heard from all five FCC commissioners and raised questions on many of the issues before the commission, focusing on process and the effect the FCC’s actions have on innovation, job creation, and consumer access to information.
“This committee has placed an emphasis on improving the FCC’s processes when it comes to conducting the people’s business. The full House has concurred with our work multiple times, including as recently as Monday when the House passed the FCC Process Reform Act of 2015 by voice vote," said Walden. “This effort arises from complaints and suggestions from the public and from various commissioners over the years under various chairs. Better process at the FCC will result in more transparent decision-making where all the commissioners have a meaningful opportunity to participate."
Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) added, “There remain many significant matters to be decided by the commission. These are opportunities for the FCC to get back on track, to demonstrate its commitment to process reform and return to the bipartisan policy-making that was once a hallmark of the FCC. What you collectively do together, matters - to folks in Michigan and across the nation whose daily lives have been transformed by technology.
Hearing Highlights
* Chairman Walden pressed FCC Chairman Wheeler to implement cost-benefit analysis for commission decision-making after a majority of the commissioners supported such a move.
* Full Committee Vice Chairman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) questioned Wheeler about an FCC employee claiming $100 million for rural broadband was just “a little tiny bit of money."
* In response to questions from Subcommittee Vice Chairman Bob Latta (R-OH), Commissioner Ajit Pai explained that commissioners often learn about investigations and other enforcement bureau items not subject to a commission vote from the media. He said, “Quite often, we only hear about these things only when they reach the press."
* Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL) discussed the importance of reducing barriers to communication between the chairman’s office and the other commissioners.
* Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-KS) requested information about Chinese companies owning and operating radio stations on American soil.
* Chairman Wheeler was unable to explain the commission’s unwillingness to provide technical expertise to Congress when questioned by Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH).
