FCC Chairman Ajit Pai

On Oct 29, various Members of Congress from Texas wrote to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai to express concern about potential loopholes with Universal Service Fund (USF) Schools and Libraries Program (E-Rate) that have allowed Federal dollars to be used to overbuild existing broadband networks in Texas. They urged the FCC to reform E-Rate that ensures finite Federal resources are being used efficiently to close the digital divide without overbuilding existing networks, especially networks already constructed with USF or other Federal support.

On Aug 2, Reps Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Mike Doyle (D-PA), G.K. Butterfield (D-NC), Jerry McNerney (D-CA), Marc Veasey (D-TX), Kathy Castor (D-FL), and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) wrote to the Federal Communications Commission to urge the agency delay any future hard launch of the Lifeline National Eligibility Verifier (National Verifier) in a state until the FCC establishes connections to Medicaid or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) databases for Lifeline eligibility verification in that state.

On Aug 7, 2019, House Commerce Committee members Billy Long (R-MO), Fred Upton (R-MI), John Shimkus (R-IL), Brett Guthrie (R-KY), and Jeff Duncan (R-SC) wrote to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai to commend the FCC on its progress of the Facilitate American's Superiority in 5G Technology (the 5G FAST Plan). They particularly supported efforts to make mid-band spectrum available for 5G connectivity.

On Aug 2, 2019, Reps Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Fred Upton (R-MI) sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai about a recent Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the 5.9 GHz band, urging the FCC to take a technology neutral approach to allow for testing of the Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) communications platform. 

On September 25, 2019 a half dozen Members of Congress from Iowa wrote to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai with concerns that changes to intercarrier compensation could have profound impacts to rural Iowa local exchange carriers (LECs).

Back in July 2019, 14 Members of Congress wrote to the Federal Communications Commission with concerns about the proposed rule "Universal Service Contribution Methodology" and urging the Commission not to establish an overall cap for the Universal Service Fund (USF) or combine the cap of any USF programs, consistent with the recent unanimous vote in the House of Representatives.

On June 24, 2019, Reps Gwen Moore (D-WI) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI) to raise the concerns of domestic violence victims with the news that wireless customers' real-time location data can be acquired from carriers. On December 3, FCC Chairman replied that the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau has been working on this investigation, reviewing over 50,000 pages of documents. "Based on the latest update I have received, the Bureau’s investigation is nearing its conclusion, and I am confident that the Bureau will be able to announce the results no later than the end of January.

In November 2019, Members of Congress wrote to the Federal Communications Commission to express concern that the very brief notice, and even shorter window for filing spectrum license applications in the 2.5 GHz proceeding will prevent many tribes and tribal organizations from taking advantage of the priority window. In addition, they said the FCC request that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) expedite its Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) approval of the order may further disadvantage eligible tribes and tribal organizations.

In July 2019, the US Government Accountability Office issued a report recommending that the Federal Communications Commission assess and report on the potential benefits, costs, and challenges of making wireless access off school grounds eligible for E-rate.

At the Federal Communications Commission, we have been working hard to help our nation and our industry seize the opportunities of the new space age. At a 1,600,000-foot view, we see a space industry that is changing, and we’re trying to make sure our regulations change with it. Under my leadership, the FCC has been committed to matching the tempo of the industry we regulate. Our space agenda involves cutting red tape and giving green lights.