House Hearing Slated On FCC Office Closures

The House Communications Subcommittee is scheduling a hearing for June 11 on Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler's proposal to close down two-thirds (16 of 24) of the FCC's field offices, billed as a way to cut costs and boost efficiency. That is according to House Communications Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR). Chairman Walden, himself a former broadcaster, pointed out that broadcasters had expressed concern about the move. Among those concerns are how that will affect the FCC's ability to monitor and respond to interference issues, particularly with the upcoming repack of TV stations after the broadcast incentive auction.

Chairman Walden said that it was a "tussle" to get the information out of the FCC and that it was "proceeding down this path of closing most of their offices. We have heard from a number of affected organizations, including broadcasters and first responders, about the concerns they have regarding the centralization of the FCC and the lack of local access that will occur." He said he intends to have someone from the FCC testify as well as other stakeholders. Chairman Wheeler has said the closings would not adversely impact interference monitoring functions.