FCC 'Sorely Needs' Senate FCC Process Reform Act, O'Rielly Says
FCC Commissioner Mike O’Rielly lauded Senate Commerce Committee OK of the FCC Process Reform Act (S-421) Wednesday (see 1604270055). Process overhaul is “an issue I have pursued avidly during my time at the Commission,” O’Rielly said in a statement. “While…
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I generally defer to Congress’ deliberation on legislation, it seems appropriate to share my thoughts that the bill would improve transparency, efficiency, and accountability for an agency that sorely needs it. Senator [Dean] Heller’s legislation would not impede Commission deliberations or decisionmaking in any way. Rather, it would ensure more reasoned and thoughtful consideration of Commission proposals by those inside and outside the agency.” Democrats opposed the measure, and Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., was doubtful Tuesday about the bill’s prospects on the floor, given that divide. The bill “will improve agency accountability and efficiency,” USTelecom President Walter McCormick said. Public Knowledge Vice President-Government Affairs Chris Lewis called S-421 “unnecessary” and opposed it. “This bill runs the risk of prolonging and complicating the FCC’s rulemaking process,” Lewis said. “It shifts the focus in rulemakings away from the public interest standard to a focus on the economic and regulatory interests of industry.”