Incentive Auction Bill Faces Lengthy Markup

The Senate Commerce Committee's planned June 8 markup of an incentive auction bill could prove to be a marathon undertaking.

According to copies of draft amendments -- there are nearly 100 of them including 30 from Sen Jim DeMint (R-SC) alone -- that move up dates, change language, strike sections and add others. The bill (appropriately numbered S. 911) would allow the Federal Communications Commission to compensate broadcasters for moving off some of their spectrum to make room for more wireless broadband. It would also allow allocate the D block of spectrum to first responders for an interoperable broadband emergency communications network rather than auction it, as Congress originally designated. Many Republicans, including leaders of the House Commerce Committee, would prefer that the block still be auctioned, which could prove an impediment to the swift passage of the bill that its sponsor, Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller (D- WV), is pushing for. Chairman Rockefeller wants the bill passed and to the president before the tenth anniversary of 9/11. Creating the emergency network was one of the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission.