House Republicans, Democrats push dueling FCC reform bills
Republicans and Democrats are pushing competing bills to reform the Federal Communications Commission ahead of a House Energy and Commerce hearing on April 30. GOP leaders on the committee have taken a more active role in FCC oversight after the agency earlier in 2015 approved controversial network neutrality rules, which are almost universally opposed by Republicans. Democrats, supportive of the FCC action, are pushing back with their own set of proposals.
One of the GOP bills would require the commission to publicly release draft rules three weeks ahead of a vote -- at the same time FCC commissioners get a full look at them. Another bill would force the FCC to publish finalized rules the day they are approved. The third proposal would require the FCC to publicly list the actions the FCC takes at the staff level. Democrats are similarly against the proposals, saying they would tie the agency in knots. They have floated four smaller changes. One Democratic proposal would require the commission to regularly report to Congress on the number of pending decisions and how long they have been open. Another would require the commission to post its policies and procedures online and update changes. A bill by Ranking Member Anna Eshoo (D-CA) would create procedures to allow the commission to meet in private. A similar proposal has been sponsored by Sen Dean Heller (R-NV) in the Senate. The final draft bill would require the FCC to explore ways to increase access for small businesses during the rule-making process. Alongside the competing congressional proposals, the FCC is in the early stages of conducting its own internal review of procedures, after pressure from Republicans and FCC Commissioner Michael O'Rielly.
House Republicans, Democrats push dueling FCC reform bills Democrats Offer Own FCC Reform Package (Broadcasting&Cable) Public Knowledge Opposes Draft Legislation that Weakens the FCC (Public Knowledge)