FCC's Genachowski still supports D Block auction

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski expressed support for auctioning off the D Block of spectrum as a way to raise money for a public safety network.

Chairman Genachowski has skirted this question in recent months after his position fell out of favor with the administration and key members of the Senate. The chairman's remarks came simultaneous to a Senate Commerce hearing focused on Chairman Jay Rockefeller's (D-WV) legislation to build the network by directly allotting the D Block to public safety agencies, as the officials prefer. Asked by Rep Bobby Rush (D-IL) whether he supports a D Block auction, Genachowski said "yes." Here's how the four FCC commissioners responded: Republican Robert McDowell said he wants to auction off the D Block; Republican Meredith Baker said both proposals are viable; Democrats Mignon Clyburn and Michael Copps said they want to discuss the issue with Congress.