Isakson Wants Hearings On Broadband; House GOP May Try to Kill Broadband Plan

Speaking at the National Association of Broadcaster's State Leadership Conference, Sen Johnny Isakson (R-GA) said Tuesday that he will insist that the Senate Commerce Committee hold extensive hearings on the Federal Communications Commission's National Broadband Plan when it is released later this month.

"We've got to get this right it's too critical. It's too important for the long term interest of broadband, long term interest of broadcasters, long term interest of the cable industry, and the long term interest of the American people.'' House Republicans might respond the FCC's plan with bills designed to "prevent" the agency from adopting some of the regulatory rulemakings it proposes, said Neil Fried, chief counsel for Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.