The House Energy and Commerce Committee
today approved legislation (HR 3309) to “reform” the methods by which the FCC
can decide cases.
The following is attributed to Harold Feld,
legal director of Public Knowledge:
“The ‘reform’
legislation approved this morning would make a sham out of the principles which
have guided our communications laws for the past 75 years.
“Instead of relying
on a fundamental concept of the public’s interest, convenience and necessity in
a rule, or in the approval of a transaction, the legislation instead defers to
industry’s interest and convenience. While
there are some good features to this bill, including flexibility for
commissioners to meet, overall we believe it would be a setback to the agency’s
ability to carry out its mission.
“We wish the
Committee had instead devoted its time and energies to legislation that
promotes broadband, competition and which protects consumers rather than to
bill which will surely die as soon as they leave the House.”