FCC's Quadrennial Review Vote Is on Clock

July 22 marks the three-week anniversary of the Democratic majority's vote to approve the quadrennial broadcast ownership rule review, which does not include loosening or jettisoning the local ownership regulations broadcasters had sought. According to sources, the two Republicans have yet to vote the item. But after those three weeks, the item will be deemed approved Aug. 3, even without those votes, per Federal Communications Commission rules. That is unless one of the commissioners asks for a one-week extension to Aug. 10 which is automatically granted if asked for, or unless there are changes to the item that necessitate being re-voted. The chairman could grant further extensions as well. The extension to Aug. 10 is a definite possibility given that there is an FCC meeting to prepare for Aug. 4, and an Aug. 2 deadline for adopting limits on debt collection calls related to robocalling that could take up commissioner and staff time between now and then.