Chairman Genachowski Testifies on FCC Budget

Testifying before the House Appropriations Committee, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski said, "With limited resources, the FCC has been making significant progress toward fulfilling its Congressional mandate to ensure that all Americans have access to a robust communications infrastructure for a wide range of purposes - including public safety, personal communications, consumer services, medical care, business expansion, employment, and education."

He noted the work the FCC's Managing Director has done to "develop lean and flexible mechanisms and methodologies that make use of the resources that we already have first - before considering alternatives that might require additional financial resources." He outlined the work the FCC has done over the last year developing the National Broadband Plan, launching reform of the Universal Service Fund, identifying and freeing up spectrum for private sector use, spurring broadband deployment, protecting consumers, fostering public safety, and reforming agency operations.

The FCC is requesting a budget of $354,181,000 for fiscal year 2012. The FCC would continue to raise all of its funds through assessment of fees and permissible auction proceeds. Base funding increases are set at $2.5 million and programmatic initiatives are expected to cost $15.9 Million. Most of the base funding increase is for the Office of Inspector General. The requested budget includes $15.9 million in programmatic initiatives to: (1) finalize and support ongoing FCC-wide technology initiatives designed to improve efficiency and save costs; (2) implement specific components of the National Broadband Plan; (3) support the Commission's public safety role; (4) follow-through on studies necessary for finalizing a statutorily required report; and (5) upgrade and maintain services in the Office of Inspector General to combat fraud, waste, and abuse.