The House is set to vote Friday on passing the FY 2023 appropriations omnibus package (HR-2617), which would extend the FCC’s spectrum auction authority through March 9 in lieu of a spectrum legislative deal that got objections (see 2212200077) from Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D. The Senate voted 69-29 Thursday to pass the omnibus, which also includes increases in federal funding for the FCC, FTC, NTIA, other Commerce Department agencies, the DOJ Antitrust Division and CPB (see 2212210077). The House, meanwhile, passed the Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act (S-1541) and Low Power Protection Act (S-3405) on voice votes a day after the Senate cleared both measures.
The Senate appeared poised to pass as soon as Wednesday an FY 2023 appropriations omnibus package that includes another short-term extension of the FCC’s spectrum auction authority, though the situation remained fluid late that afternoon amid continued wrangling over potential votes on amendments to the measure. Lawmakers agreed to attach a renewal the FCC’s remit through March 9, after an objection from Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., derailed a negotiated deal to include a modified version of the chamber's version of the Spectrum Innovation Act (S-4117) and other related measures (see 2212200077).
Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., who sank a bid by telecom-focused congressional leaders to attach a modified version of the chamber's version of the Spectrum Innovation Act (S-4117) and other related telecom priorities to the FY 2023 appropriations omnibus measure (see 2212190069), claimed Tuesday that DOD faced outside pressure to agree to back the proposal. Rounds vowed to continue opposing future attempts to weaken DOD's authority to manage its spectrum holdings.
An objection from Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., appears to have all but killed a deal telecom-focused congressional leaders struck over the weekend to attach modified language from the Senate version of the Spectrum Innovation Act (S-4117) to a planned FY 2023 appropriations omnibus package, several congressional aides and communications industry lobbyists told us Monday. Another short-term renewal of the FCC’s auction authority is, however, still expected to be in the package, lobbyists said. Hill leaders were expected to release the omnibus’ text Monday, but it wasn’t available that afternoon.
An objection from Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., appears to have all but killed a deal telecom-focused congressional leaders struck over the weekend to attach modified language from the Senate version of the Spectrum Innovation Act (S-4117) to a planned FY 2023 appropriations omnibus package, a congressional aide and several communications industry lobbyists told us Monday. Another short-term renewal of the FCC’s auction authority is, however, still expected to be in the package, lobbyists said. Hill leaders were expected to release the omnibus’ text Monday, but it still wasn’t available that afternoon.
Senate Commerce Committee leaders hadn’t resolved a longstanding disagreement Thursday night over how hoped-for compromise spectrum legislative language would structure repurposing parts of the 3.1-3.45 GHz band for commercial 5G use, a hurdle that could derail a bid to attach the proposal to an FY 2023 omnibus appropriations measure (see 2212070068). Those leaders made progress on some parts of the measure, including moving closer on amounts of spectrum auction revenue they will allocate to fully fund the FCC’s Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program and finance next-generation 911 tech upgrades.
Senate Communications Subcommittee members from both parties targeted FCC and NTIA implementation of connectivity programs created in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and COVID-19 aid measures Tuesday, as expected (see 2212120064), including concerns about deficient data the commission used to develop its new broadband maps. Lawmakers also touched on other telecom policymaking matters they hope Capitol Hill can address during the lame-duck session or in the next Congress. Senate Commerce Committee leaders saw a potential one-week extension of their talks on one lame-duck priority, a compromise spectrum legislative package (see 2212070068), appear via a proposed continuing resolution to fund the federal government past Friday.
A Tuesday Senate Communications Subcommittee hearing on implementation of broadband funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and other recent measures is likely to include a heavy focus on GOP leaders’ concerns about federal agencies’ oversight of those disbursals, lawmakers and other officials told us. There also may be discussion about other pressing issues, including recent pushes to include additional money for the FCC’s Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program in a FY 2023 appropriations omnibus package (see 2212070068) and to enact legislation that ensures broadband funding from IIJA and the American Rescue Plan Act doesn’t count as taxable income, observers said.
Communications sector observers don’t see any early evidence to indicate Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema's shift Friday from the Democrats to become a registered independent will materially affect FCC nominee Gigi Sohn's prospects of winning confirmation. Sohn faces long odds of getting a floor vote during the lame-duck session amid Senate Democratic leaders’ decision to prioritize passage of year-end bills like the FY 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (see 2211300074). The House voted 350-80 Thursday to pass a compromise version of the NDAA, filed as an amendment to shell bill HR-7776, that includes language to restrict the federal government’s use of products with semiconductor manufacturers deemed to be Chinese military contractors (see 2212070056).
House Judiciary Committee GOP leaders signaled before a Wednesday voice vote on the American Music Fairness Act (HR-4130) they intend to continue pursuing a compromise on music royalties legislation when their party regains control of the chamber in the next Congress. HR-4130, filed last year (see 2108120059), would levy a performance royalty on stations playing music on terrestrial radio. Lawmakers reintroduced the bill in September (see 2209220076).