HOUSE DELAYS DoD FUNDING VOTE, DREIER REJECTS 3G AMENDMENT
House adjourned Wed. without voting on Dept. of Defense (DoD) authorization bill that, if amended, would have guaranteed that Pentagon was adequately reimbursed for vacating spectrum in 1710- 1850 MHz band. Defense funding bill (HR-2586) had been tentatively scheduled for debate on House floor, but business was limited to introduction of resolution by House Majority Leader Armey (R-Tex.) and Democratic Leader Gephardt (Mo.) to condemn this week’s terrorist attacks. Full House agreed to adjourn for day “out of respect to the victims.” Armey earlier in week had planned for 2nd possible day of debate on bill today (Thurs.), but staffer said it wasn’t known when HR-2586 would be placed back on calendar.
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Terrorist attacks have changed terms of debate over value of national defense vs. hastened 3G deployment, Center for Strategic & International Studies scholar James Lewis said. While he emphasized 3G’s potentially tremendous benefit to nation’s economy, he said tragedy had given DoD upper hand in debate over transfer of spectrum to private sector -- at least in short term: “People are going to assign a higher value to national defense in the coming weeks… It may affect the legislative cycle… People are going to be more sensitive, I hope, to the DoD’s concerns.”
Long-term impact of attacks on 3G debate remained to be seen, particularly since it wasn’t clear how -- or whether -- there was connection between nation’s counterterrorism activities and military electronic communications, he said. Future decisions are likely to involve transfer of DoD spectrum to commercial interests and corresponding monetary reimbursement for that exchange. Despite strong support for military on Hill, influences ranging from church educational interests to TV broadcasters will result in arrangement that accommodates industry in some form, Lewis said: “By default, [DoD has] the weakest hand in the political game.”
CTIA didn’t comment specifically on whether attacks had changed group’s outlook on resolution of 3G issue. Spokesman said Assn. was focusing on system rescue efforts and currently wasn’t “looking that far down the road.”
At our Wed. deadline, we learned that the House Rules Committee had rejected amendment by Rep. Kirk (R-Ill.) that would have reserved proceeds from 3rd generation spectrum auctions for DoD communications modernization activities. Committee heard testimony Mon. (CD Sept 11 p5) on dozens of proposed amendments but didn’t make decision until Wed.
Kirk measure would have required Treasury Secy. to transfer 3G auction proceeds into DoD modernization account. Dept. of Treasury then would transfer funds to DoD “as are necessary to pay the cost of relocating or modifying their operations from any previously assigned frequency band.” Defense Secy. would be required to submit report to congressional defense committees before obligating such funds for spectrum relocation purposes. DoD would have to wait 60 days after submitting its intentions in writing to committees before using auction proceeds. Funds that remained unused for military communications relocation and modification would be placed into “enhanced combat capability account.” That account could be used, following a similar congressional committee process, for upgrades to DoD “radio operations, including terrestrial and satellite radio stations.” - - Steve Peacock