FCC Chairman Ajit Pai

On Nov 22, 2019, Rep Peter DeFazio (D-OR) wrote to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai about his growing concern with the FCC's "pattern of subordinating transportation safety to corporate broadband interests." He objected tot he FCC's proposal to repurpose portions of the 3.7-4.2 GHz spectrum band (C-band) for 5G purposes. He also objected to the FCC proposal to give away more than half the reserved 5.9 GHz connected vehicle spectrum to unlicensed Wi-Fi. 

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai released the following statement regarding an upcoming Cellular Vehicle to Everything (CV2X) deployment in Northern Virginia, which was announced Jan 22 by Audi, Qualcomm, and the Virginia Department of Transportation. The deployment will include warnings that automatically alert cars to upcoming work zones as well as SPaT (signal phase and timing), which enables cars to receive a countdown from a red light to a green light: 

My travels throughout Indian Country have shown me that bringing high-speed connectivity to rural Tribal lands can be a game-changer. Broadband enables teleworking, job searches, and even starting an online business. It allows patients to consult with specialists without having to drive hours to the nearest hospital. And it gives students the ability to take advanced math and science classes online, if they aren’t offered at the local school. That’s why I’m proud to have launched several Federal Communications Commission initiatives to expand broadband access on Tribal lands.

The Internet has become an indispensable platform for innovation, job creation, and free expression. It is critical to our quality of life and our global competitiveness. To take advantage of the major innovations that will be introduced in the coming years, Americans will need to be connected. And that, of course, only serves to underscore why the Federal Communications Commission’s top priority must be to expand the deployment of high-speed broadband networks to all American. I’m pleased to report that our strategy of encouraging investment and innovation is working.

On Aug 22, 2019, Sen Jon Tester (D-MT) wrote to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai expressing concern about the FCC's proposal to establish a cap on the overall Universal Service Fund (USF) budget and combine the E-rate and Rural Health Care programs under a single sub-cap.

On Oct 31, 2019, Rep Jennifer González-Colón (D-PR) wrote to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai about how the Puerto Rico Telecommunications Bureau (PRTB) filed a waiver request to suspend the requirement that carriers use the National Verifier eligibility determination system for the Lifeline communication services until the new verification program proves operations. The FCC denied the waiver request, and Rep González-Colón, while ultimately supporting the purpose of the National Verifier, urged for reconsideration from the FCC and approve the waiver request. 

On May 7, 2019, Reps Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), Nydia Velázquez (D-NY), and Jennifer González-Colón (D-PR) wrote to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai regarding communications restoration efforts in Puerto Rico following Hurricanes Irma and Maria. "It is no secret that the cost of deploying fiber or other forms of wireline and wireless broadband access to our nation's rural and remote communities is expensive, and we have an obligation to bridge the digital divide for all communities, regardless of where they may be located.

On July 29, 2019, Reps Grace Meng (D-NY), James Clyburn (D-SC), TJ Cox (D-CA), Ro Khanna (D-CA), and Cindy Axne (D-IA) wrote to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai to express strong disapproval of the FCC's elimination of the educational requirements for the Educational Broadband Services (EBS) in the "Transforming the 2.5 GHz Band" Report and Order.

On Nov 6, 2019, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) wrote to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai to act to secure the nation's next-generation, 5G telephone networks. He asked Chairman Pai several questions to "help Congress and the American people understand the FCC's plans to address this national security threat". On Jan 3, 2020, Chairman Pai responded by saying he has frequently discussed his support for addressing 5G security issues upfront.

I'm sharing with my fellow commissioners a draft order that would establish the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, a modern approach for connecting those hardest-to-serve corners of our country. At the FCC's January open meeting, we'll vote on this order—our biggest step yet to close the digital divide. The new Fund will provide up to $20.4 billion over the next decade to support the deployment of high-speed broadband networks in those parts of rural America that currently lack fixed broadband service that meets the Commission's baseline speed standards.