House Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden, R-Ore., asked the White House to renominate FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and to nominate commissioners for the two open spots, one expected to go to a Democrat and one to a Republican, Walden said Tuesday during a speech before the Media Institute. He detailed Commerce's telecom goals as Pai sat at one of the first tables before him. Walden often joked and broke from prepared remarks.
House Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden, R-Ore., asked the White House to renominate FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and to nominate commissioners for the two open spots, one expected to go to a Democrat and one to a Republican, Walden said Tuesday during a speech before the Media Institute. He detailed Commerce's telecom goals as Pai sat at one of the first tables before him. Walden often joked and broke from prepared remarks.
Chairman Ajit Pai will further change the way the FCC releases information to the news media and public, he said in a statement Monday, vowing not to release items publicly or to the news media until all commissioners have seen them. “During the past few years, the Chairman’s Office often briefed reporters or issued a blog about matters to be voted upon at the FCC’s monthly meetings before sharing those matters with Commissioners,” Pai said in a statement. “As a Commissioner, I thought that actions like these were inappropriate and disrespectful of other Commissioners.”
Chairman Ajit Pai will further change the way the FCC releases information to the news media and public, he said in a statement Monday, vowing not to release items publicly or to the news media until all commissioners have seen them. “During the past few years, the Chairman’s Office often briefed reporters or issued a blog about matters to be voted upon at the FCC’s monthly meetings before sharing those matters with Commissioners,” Pai said in a statement. “As a Commissioner, I thought that actions like these were inappropriate and disrespectful of other Commissioners.”
State commissioner cheered the transparency measure adopted last week by FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. The pilot project to make draft agenda items public three weeks before commissioner meetings is a “breath of fresh air” because it puts state commissioners on a more level playing field with industry lobbyists at the federal agency, NARUC President Robert Powelson said in a Friday interview. He and other state commissioners said they hope it’s the first of many transparency enhancements at the agency. Commissioners from both parties and multiple states last year told us it should be a priority for the FCC to answer concerns about transparency and politicization at the agency (see 1608230009). Friday, Pai tapped Commissioner Michael O’Rielly to lead three federal-state groups.
Democratic House Communications Subcommittee leadership of Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Pa., bodes well for the party in the new Congress, his colleagues told us Thursday after Commerce Committee Democrats selected him as subcommittee ranking member (see 1701120021). He will take over for Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., who didn’t seek the position, and he said in an interview he will focus on preserving consumer protections from the FCC net neutrality order. He has been in office since 1995.
Democratic House Communications Subcommittee leadership of Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Pa., bodes well for the party in the new Congress, his colleagues told us Thursday after Commerce Committee Democrats selected him as subcommittee ranking member (see 1701120021). He will take over for Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., who didn’t seek the position, and he said in an interview he will focus on preserving consumer protections from the FCC net neutrality order. He has been in office since 1995.
Senate and House lawmakers reintroduced the Improving Rural Call Quality and Reliability Act, which would address call completion problems. The measure cleared the House last Congress but stalled on the Senate floor amid concerns about the renomination of then-FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel. “I’ll keep working to strengthen rural communications and make sure all Americans can stay connected regardless of where they live,” said Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., who introduced the bill. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., is a co-sponsor and called himself a “strong supporter.” Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., also is a co-sponsor. Rep. Dave Young, R-Iowa, introduced the House companion, with the backing of Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt. This legislation is one of those that Thune told us may be part of a package of bills that could advance this year, potentially in a roll call vote on the floor (see 1701040067). The reintroduction "is another important step in the long road to resolving call quality and reliability issues that have plagued rural Americans for years," NTCA CEO Shirley Bloomfield said. WTA "members and their customers have been dealing with this issue for far too long," said Vice President-Government Affairs Derrick Owens, backing the bill. "This bill should be adopted," said NARUC President Robert Powelson.
Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., is preparing for the likelihood of securing a roll call vote on the floor for his newly reintroduced Mobile Now spectrum bill (S-19), he told us Wednesday. He anticipates creating a bigger package of telecom measures through the Mobile Now markup process, he said, potentially wrapping in other items that failed to clear the upper chamber last session.
Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., is preparing for the likelihood of securing a roll call vote on the floor for his newly reintroduced Mobile Now spectrum bill (S-19), he told us Wednesday. He anticipates creating a bigger package of telecom measures through the Mobile Now markup process, he said, potentially wrapping in other items that failed to clear the upper chamber last session.