The FCC said it will deliver documents on LightSquared to the House Commerce Committee. In letters Tuesday to the commission and other government bodies, the committee’s top Republicans requested “all written and electronic communications from April 2009 to present between any individual associated with LightSquared, Harbinger Capital Partners, SkyTerra Communications, GPS manufacturers, and [the Space-Based Positioning Navigation and Timing Executive Committee (PNT ExCom)] regarding the process used to evaluate the proposed spectrum license transfer, testing, and potential interference.” House Commerce wants a response by March 13.
Passage of wide-ranging spectrum law left room for more legislation to improve spectrum efficiency and free up underutilized federal spectrum, current and former lawmakers said. The House is preparing to review receiver standards, while the Senate is expected to conduct oversight in 2012 on the spectrum legislation that was signed into law last week. More work on spectrum is important in case authorization of voluntary incentive auctions is not the “golden goose” that some expect, a Senate GOP aide said.
Democrats and the telecom industry are pushing for “dig once” language to be added to the surface transportation legislation due for votes after Congress returns next week from recess. House Communications Subcommittee Ranking Member Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., has an amendment that would require states to evaluate including broadband conduit during the construction of federal highways. Sens. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Mark Warner, D-Va., have a Senate amendment requiring states to include the conduit. CTIA, USTelecom and the Telecom Industry Association support the broadband conduit proposals, their officials said.
The House and Senate passed long-awaited spectrum legislation on Friday as a “pay-for” in the payroll tax cut extension bill. President Barack Obama praised the bill and was expected to sign it into law. The spectrum law (CD Feb 17 p1) authorizes the FCC to conduct voluntary incentive auctions, a recommendation from 2010’s National Broadband Plan. It also sets up national public safety wireless broadband network ten years after one was recommended by the 9/11 Commission.
House and Senate negotiatiors reached a deal on spectrum that will be used as a pay-for in the payroll tax cut extension, multiple telecom industry lobbyists said Wednesday. House Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton, R-Mich., reported to the conference that the spectrum deal is done, said two lobbyists, citing an email circulated on Capitol Hill. The conference report was expected to be signed Wednesday night, setting up a vote on the full payroll package in the House on Friday.
Capitol Hill talks continued Wednesday on spectrum legislation and the payroll tax cut extension. “We've made great progress and are very close to a historic milestone -- creation of a new nationwide communications network for our first responders,” Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., said. “My expectation is that we will be able to include this legislative language in the compromise payroll deal that is close to being finalized. Although we continue to hash out some of the finer points of the legislation, the end result should be the same: a new communications network that will save lives and generate economic growth.” A House Commerce Committee spokeswoman said talks happened in the morning, but didn’t provide details. There may also have been talks Tuesday night involving the office of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., telecom industry lobbyists said. Spectrum is expected to be used as a “pay-for” in the payroll bill, which Congress could pass as soon as this week (CD Feb 15 p1). Wednesday morning, House Speaker John Boehner said a vote is imminent. “If the agreement comes together, like I expect it will, the House will vote this week,” said the Ohio Republican. Boehner said there is an “agreement in principle” but “there are a lot of details that are yet to be worked out,” he said: “I'm hopeful that will be wrapped up” Wednesday.
Rural telecom companies protested the FCC’s Universal Service Fund and intercarrier compensation revamp efforts, in testimony at a hearing Wednesday of the House Small Business Subcommittee on Healthcare. Witnesses also complained about high administrative costs to apply for federal grants and loans. Subcommittee leaders urged accelerated broadband buildout, particularly in rural areas. Chairman Renee Ellmers, R-N.C., urged passage of her bill (HR-2128) to stop the federal government from imposing penalties on health care providers who can’t make electronic prescriptions.
Capitol Hill spectrum negotiators may be closing in on consensus as Congress nears a vote on the payroll tax cut extension that may include spectrum auctions as a “pay for,” Hill officials and industry lobbyists said Tuesday. House Republicans floated a proposal this week to strip all offsets from the payroll tax bill, but lobbyists said spectrum is still likely to make the final cut after the bill moves through the Senate. “Staff negotiations are ongoing and good progress is being made,” a House Commerce Committee spokeswoman said of the spectrum talks. “Everyone agrees about the important role this legislation can play in supporting job creation and producing savings for taxpayers."
The White House renewed an emphasis on wireless broadband in President Barack Obama’s FY 2013 budget, released Monday (www.budget.gov). “High-speed, wireless broadband is fast becoming a critical component of business operations and economic growth,” the budget said. “The United States needs to lead the world in providing broad access to the fastest networks possible.” The budget also proposes significant funding for cybersecurity research. In total, the 2013 budget proposes $140.8 billion for federal R&D, 1.4 percent more than the 2012-enacted level. The overall increase is the same as the rate of inflation.
Supreme Court TV moved one step closer to show time after the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday voted 11-7 to approve S-1945 by Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill. Ranking Member Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and one other Republican voted for the bill, while Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California cast the sole Democratic vote against. Feinstein argued forcefully that the bill is an unwelcome breach of the separation of powers envisioned by the U.S. Constitution.