Congress lets FCC spectrum auction authority lapse for first time in 30 years

Astonishingly, the U.S. Senate has allowed the auction authority of the Federal Communications Commission to lapse for the first time since it was granted to the FCC in 1994. The U.S. Communications and Technology Subcommittee is holding more hearings related to the issue. Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Energy and Commerce Committee ranking member, said, “Yesterday, for the first time since the agency gained this authority 30 years ago, Congress failed to extend it when the Senate refused to act. The House did its work – we unanimously passed a bipartisan bill introduced by me and Chair [Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA)] last month to extend the spectrum auction authority to May 19th. Our legislation would have prevented this lapse in authority.” Congress had already been kicking the can on the FCC’s auction authority for several months. FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel stated, “To date, the FCC has held 100 auctions and has raised more than $233 billion in revenues and unlocked extraordinary benefits for the American people. It is my hope that the FCC’s auction authority is restored quickly.”