Negotiations Continue on Bid to Add FCC Reauthorization, Spectrum Language to FY 2018 Omnibus
Negotiations on a potential deal to attach to the FY 2018 omnibus spending bill legislative language on FCC reauthorization and some spectrum issues progressed Wednesday but agreement wasn't reached, said Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D. “We've made some…
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progress,” but "I don't think we're there yet,” Thune told reporters. Lawmakers have been hoping to include language from the Repack Airwaves Yielding Better Access for Users of Modern Services (Ray Baum's) Act FCC reauthorization bill (HR-4986) and the Senate-passed Making Opportunities for Broadband Investment and Limiting Excessive and Needless Obstacles to Wireless (Mobile Now) Act (S-19) spectrum bill (see 1708030060) in the omnibus (see 1802270055). HR-4986, which cleared House Commerce earlier this month, includes language to authorize additional repack funding (see 1802140064). The bill includes language from the Spectrum Auction Deposits Act (HR-4109) that would let the FCC place bidders' deposits in future spectrum auctions in a Treasury Department fund (see 1710250026). “What we're trying to do is find that zone of agreement” on language that satisfies members of both parties, Thune said. A deal “would accomplish a lot of things that we've been trying to get done for a while,” he said: “It could potentially be a very significant accomplishment,” but “it's never done 'til it's done.” Thune acknowledged that “there is a certain amount of pressure because of the time constraints associated with putting together” the omnibus. House Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden, R-Ore., said Monday a factor at play was resolving concerns that DOD had with S-19's language that came after the Senate originally passed the measure in August. Those concerns led House Commerce staff to scuttle a bid to attach S-19's provisions to HR-4986 ahead of the committee's markup last month.