Rep Walden won’t give up on reforming the FCC

When it comes to who in Congress has sway over media and tech issues, look no further than House Communications Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR). Chairman Walden, a ham radio operator and former broadcaster, has been trying to get some changes at how the Federal Communications Commission does its business for the better part of three Congresses. And he’s not about to give up now. Nor is Chairman Walden stopping with the FCC. The mild-mannered lawmaker is also ready to take on a rewrite of the entire communications law, the 80 year-old statute that hasn’t had an update since 1996 -- before the Internet and before mobile devices became a part of every day life. We interviewed Chairman Walden before May 20th’s mark up of 7 bills to reform FCC process. Among the changes proposed: require the agency to publish drafts of proposed rules before votes and immediately publish texts of final orders after votes.