House Passes Senate's Reconciliation Package With 800 MHz Pipeline; Trump to Sign
The House on Thursday narrowly passed the Senate-cleared version of the HR-1 budget reconciliation package, previously known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (see 2507010070). Passage came after a marathon all-night session, during which most Republicans who had previously resisted backing the measure ultimately voted for it amid pressure and cajoling from GOP leadership and President Donald Trump. The lower chamber approved HR-1 218-214, with only two Republicans joining all 212 Democrats in opposition.
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HR-1, which mandates an 800 MHz spectrum auction pipeline, headed to the White House for an expected signing Friday. The revised measure, like its original House-passed version, will restore the FCC’s lapsed spectrum auction authority through Sept. 30, 2034. It exempts the 3.1-3.45 GHz and 7.4-8.4 GHz bands from potential reallocation, but it omits a carve-out to shield the 3.55-3.7 GHz citizens broadband radio service (CBRS) frequency, despite some groups' last-minute push (see 2507020059).
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr and many communications sector groups rejoiced Thursday when the House cleared HR-1. “Restoring U.S. leadership in wireless is key to the nation’s economic and national security interests,” Carr said. HR-1 “succeeds where past efforts [to restore the FCC’s mandate failed and] does so by establishing a robust pipeline of spectrum for years to come.” He suggested that its spectrum language will give a “big boost [to the] Build America Agenda” he announced Wednesday (see 2507020036). Republican Commissioner Olivia Trusty also hailed HR-1’s passage.
CTIA CEO Ajit Pai said HR-1 “will fuel America’s wireless networks with the spectrum needed to meet rapidly growing consumer demand and secure America’s leadership in the industries and innovations of the future. And the tax provisions are vital to advancing infrastructure investment, creating jobs, and growing the economy.” Wireless Infrastructure Association CEO Patrick Halley called the measure’s passage “a first major step toward a more connected and competitive America.”
USTelecom CEO Jonathan Spalter said the bill’s tax provisions -- “in combination with unleashing additional spectrum -- will help ensure a more connected future for all American communities and families.” Competitive Carriers Association CEO Tim Donovan said this “long overdue action will help meet consumer demand, remove obstacles to U.S. global leadership, and is essential to closing the digital divide for rural America.”