Chairman Pai Testimony Before Senate Appropriations Subcommittee

The Federal Communications Commission’s submission provides a spending level of $333,118,000, derived from regulatory fees for regular FCC operations, and an auction spending cap of $112,734,000. At this stage, however, we note the need for an upward adjustment to the auction spending cap to enable the Commission to meet the FY 2018 Consolidated Appropriations Act (Omnibus) requirement to establish new programs related to the post-incentive auction transition. The Commission’s fiscally responsible request will provide the resources necessary to advance the FCC’s critical strategic goals: (1) closing the digital divide; (2) promoting innovation; (3) protecting consumers and public safety; and (4) reforming the FCC’s processes. In particular, the FCC will continue to focus on expanding high-speed broadband access throughout the United States and bringing what I call “digital opportunity” to every American. 

As you are aware, the Commission received an appropriation of $322,035,000 in the Omnibus. This number represented a reduction of approximately 5% from our FY 2017 appropriation, minus the directed funding for our headquarters relocation. To put our budget in perspective, in real, inflation-adjusted terms, the FCC’s appropriation has declined by over 17% since FY 2009. 


Chairman Pai Testimony Before Senate Appropriations Subcommittee