The Senate shut down for Aug. recess early Fri. without passing the telecom bill (HR-5252), despite Commerce Committee Chmn. Stevens’ (R-Alaska) week-long drive to round up the 60 votes needed to avoid a filibuster. On Tues. Steven was somewhat optimistic, he told reporters after the Republican policy lunch. “I think I've got them, but I'm not sure yet.”
A collection system for the Universal Service Fund (USF) based on telephone numbers gained the support of a new telecom alliance called the USF by the Numbers Coalition. The coalition - made up of groups such as NCTA, CTIA and USTelecom and its members AT&T and BellSouth -- held a news conference call Tues. to “set the story straight” on misconceptions about the plan, it said.
Close votes on key amendments dealing with net neutrality and buildout requirements signal a tough fight ahead on the Senate floor for the Senate telecom bill (HR- 5252), lobbyists and industry sources said. Senate Commerce Committee Chmn. Stevens (R-Alaska) has acknowledged the difficulty he faces and said at the end of Wed.’s markup that he’s considering introducing a slimmed-down bill.
Senate Commerce Committee Chmn. Stevens doesn’t yet have the 60 votes needed to end debate and set up a vote on the telecom bill (S-2686) on the Senate floor, he told reporters after markup Tues. Senate leadership has “no great interest” in the bill while the debate continues as it has, he said. His comments came after a day-long session in a markup that began last week. Key issues remain to be tackled, but the bill is expected to pass out of the committee.
Senate Commerce Committee negotiations on a hefty manager’s amendment to pending telecom reform legislation were expected to continue “well into the night and tomorrow,” a committee spokesman told us Wed. The committee is scheduled to markup Chmn. Stevens’ (R-Alaska) 3rd draft of the bill today (Thurs.). Some Hill watchers said the marathon meeting could spill into next week. The broad draft contains hot topics like net neutrality and preemption of state wireless regulation (CD June 21 p1), as well as issues like video franchising and Universal Service Fund (USF) reform.
Senate Commerce Committee negotiations on a hefty manager’s amendment to pending telecom reform legislation were expected to continue “well into the night and tomorrow,” a committee spokesman told us Wed. The committee is scheduled to markup Chmn. Stevens’ (R-Alaska) 3rd draft of the bill today (Thurs.). Some Hill watchers said the marathon meeting could spill into next week. The broad draft contains hot topics like net neutrality and preemption of state wireless regulation, as well as issues like video franchising and Universal Service Fund (USF) reform.
In a surprise move, a new draft of a telecom bill by Sen. Stevens (R-Alaska) contains language sharply limiting state controls on wireless service (CD June 17 Special Report). Though carriers view this as a potential win, it has raised consumer group and state regulator ire. State regulators said Mon. the wireless language will be controversial and could keep the bill from progressing this year.
At our deadline, the House was expected to endorse a rule allowing a net neutrality amendment to the House video bill (HR-5252), which in turn was set for vote later Thurs. The amendment, by Rep. Markey (D-Mass.), would subject network operators to anti-bias rules and provide for expedited complaint review. It’s among 8 amendments the Rules Committee decided to accept late Wed. after a hearing on about 25 proposed changes to the bill.
At our deadline, the House was expected to endorse a rule allowing a net neutrality amendment to the House video bill (HR-5252), which in turn was set for vote later Thurs. The amendment, by Rep. Markey (D-Mass.), would subject network operators to anti-bias rules and provide for expedited complaint review. It’s among 8 amendments the Rules Committee decided to accept late Wed. after a hearing on about 25 proposed changes to the bill.
House Commerce Committee Chmn. Barton (R-Tex.) will oppose efforts to exempt the E-rate program from Anti- Deficiency Act rules that require funding to be in hand before money can be spent, according to a Commerce Committee staffer. Barton and Senate Commerce Committee Chmn. Stevens (R-Alaska) brokered a deal last year that gave the program a one-year pass, but Barton is “inclined to let the ADA exemption expire,” the aide said.