House Subcommittee approves spectrum auction legislation, but fight’s not over
Dec 5, 2011 11:14 AM, By Michael Grotticelli
Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) wonders why Republicans are offering broadcasters $2 billion more than the estimated $1 billion established by the Congressional Budget Office.
The Republican-controlled House subcommittee last week approved its version of legislation to authorize spectrum auctions for broadcasters and create a nationwide mobile network for emergency use. The vote was 17-6, and the bill now heads to the full House Energy and Commerce Committee for debate.
Republican Rep. Greg Walden’s communications and technology subcommittee pushed through its version of the Jumpstarting Opportunity with Broadband Spectrum Act (JOBS Act).
“It is a bill that frees up vast swaths of valuable spectrum, both licensed and unlicensed, that when put into service will unleash new technologies,” Walden said. “It will spur innovation.”
Democrats disagreed with that assessment and warned that the legislation may not survive in the Senate, where they hold the majority. Some parts of the legislation were highly controversial.
For example, on a voice vote, the subcommittee approved a hot button amendment by Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) that would prohibit the FCC from enforcing net neutrality rules on new spectrum license holders. Ranking member Henry Waxman (D-CA) warned that amendment alone was a poison pill that could kill the bill in the Senate.
The bill was also amended to require the FCC to resolve broadcaster spectrum coordination issues with Canada and Mexico, to set aside funding for e-911 call centers and to avoid security risks when constructing the emergency communications network.
There was also the issue of money for broadcasters. The Republicans proposed giving them up to $3 billion as compensation for being left behind or sharing channels. That is three times the amount Democratic versions of the legislation provided.
Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) joined Waxman in questioning why Republicans were offering broadcasters $2 billion more than the estimated $1 billion established by the Congressional Budget Office. Walden responded the number was a cap and that much of it might not be needed. Waxman said the one thing Republicans frequently said — and he agreed with — is that caps also usually become the floor (or starting point for negotiations).
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