Cable, Telecom Industry Groups Laud House Passage of FCC Process Reform Act

McCormick. “This bipartisan legislation encourages the important goals of greater transparency, public participation and predictability in FCC decision making, even more important in today’s competitive communications marketplace,” NCTA said. TechFreedom considers the measure “very good news for consumers even though it was watered down in order to get bipartisan support,” said Tom Struble, policy counsel. “For too long, the FCC has operated as a Star Chamber, proceeding in secret and hiding critical information from public view.” The bill faced partisan opposition during the markup due to three GOP proposals that were since dropped from the legislation, securing its bipartisan passage. “This effort arises from complaints and suggestions from the public and from various commissioners over the years under various chairs,” said House Communications Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden, R-Ore., one of the bill's authors, Tuesday during his opening statement for an FCC oversight hearing. “Better process at the FCC will result in more transparent decision-making, where all the commissioners have a meaningful opportunity to participate. And Chairman [Tom] Wheeler, while you have made important improvements -- you’ve reduced backlogs, implemented a new complaint process among other items -- members of your own commission are driven to publicly express their frustrations with the bigger, decisionmaking process. It’s distressing to hear of the bitter divisions.” Wheeler thanked the House for passing the legislation, during the oversight hearing. “We can all support the notion that all American people, and not just the lobbyists and corporations, should have access and input on the FCC rules that impact our daily life,” said Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., another of the bill authors.