Eshoo, Pallone Favor Budget Deal's Spectrum Provisions

a statement. “Spectrum is a finite resource vital to our innovation economy and this agreement makes inroads toward meeting the high demand for mobile broadband and using available spectrum more efficiently.” The spectrum provisions set up future FCC auctions and were believed to be administration priorities in the deal (see 1510270063). An Eshoo spokesman didn’t comment on whether she had any input into the deal’s spectrum provisions. Eshoo called the deal, which the House approved Wednesday, “a remarkable step for a long-term compromise to fund the government.” Another Democrat also praised the provision but saw room for more action. “The budget agreement that we are considering would direct the auction of 30 megahertz of spectrum for commercial use,” said House Commerce Committee ranking member Frank Pallone, D-N.J., in an opening statement for a Wednesday hearing on broadband deployment. “That is a good start, but we cannot stop there. We should continue our bipartisan work in this committee to authorize more spectrum auctions going forward. By continuing these twin efforts to improve network infrastructure and to free more spectrum, I believe we can meet consumers’ communications needs for years to come.” The White House urged passage of the deal. "The Administration urges the Congress to pass this bipartisan agreement and looks forward to working with the Congress to enact responsible, full‑year FY 2016 appropriations -- without ideological riders -- based on this agreement in order to continue growing the Nation's economy and creating jobs," the Office of Management and Budget said in a statement Wednesday.