Press Release

Commissioner Clyburn has been a strong and dynamic member of the Commission. I would like to thank Commissioner Clyburn for her many years of dedicated service to the FCC. In my time as a Commissioner, I have been consistently struck by her passion and commitment to the work of the FCC, her professionalism, and her willingness to reach across the aisle to get things done. It has been a privilege to serve with her, and I wish her all the best on her future endeavors.

“I am saddened to hear my friend and colleague, Commissioner Clyburn, announce her intention to leave the Commission in the very near future. I’ve had the pleasure of working with her on several projects and her commitment to her principles always impressed me. Even when we disagreed, we found a way to work through it and get to the next issue. Suffice it to say, Commissioner Clyburn epitomizes the term ‘public servant.’ I wish her well in her next endeavor, whatever it may be.

I congratulate Commissioner Clyburn on her distinguished tenure at the FCC. She has been a tremendous leader and a committed public servant throughout her time here. As the first woman to head the agency, she led skillfully through a transition and put her stamp on the Commission, including through her steadfast leadership in telehealth, media diversity, and digital inclusion. I have enjoyed working with her and, even when we have not seen eye-toeye on policy, I have always held her candor and thoughtfulness in the highest regard. She’s been a wonderful colleague and friend.

The Federal Communications Commission is proposing to help protect the security of the nation’s communications networks through its stewardship of the over $8.5 billion a year Universal Service Fund (USF). The FCC is seeking comment on a proposal to prohibit use of USF funds on the purchase of equipment or services from any company that poses a national security threat to the integrity of US communications networks or the communications supply chain. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking also seeks comment on a number of issues, including:

Today the Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on a rule to prohibit the future use of Universal Service Funds to purchase equipment or services from providers identified as posing a national security risk. Congress has repeatedly expressed concern about the potential for supply chain vulnerability to undermine national security, and I will vote to approve. But our communications networks face other security threats that we cannot continue to ignore.

The Federal Communications Commission adopted a Public Notice seeking comment on proposed application and bidding procedures for the auctions of the 28 GHz and 24 GHz spectrum bands.

The Federal Communications Commission adopted new measures to tackle the problem of failed or poor-quality long-distance calls to rural parts of the United States. 

The Federal Communications Commission proposed modernizing rules governing business data services (BDS) for certain small rural carriers, known as Alternative Connect America Model, or A-CAM, carriers. 

The Federal Communications Commission proposed to eliminate a rule adopted in 1972 that requires cable operators to maintain at their local office a current listing of the cable television channels that each cable system delivers to its subscribers.

The Federal Communications Commission started to streamline the application process for a category of satellites known as “small satellites.” The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposes a new authorization process within Part 25 of the Commission’s rules to govern satellite licensing that is tailored to small satellite operations. This new process will address current needs in this evolving industry sector, as existing Commission licensing rules and processes were not developed with these types of systems in mind.