Pallone, Doyle Concerned FCC Violating Federal Record-Keeping Laws
Top House Commerce Committee Democrats raised concerns Thursday that the FCC may be violating the Federal Records Act, Freedom of Information Act, Administrative Procedure Act and federal agencies' record-keeping rules. House Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, D-N.J., and House Communications Subcommittee…
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Chairman Mike Doyle, D-Pa., wrote FCC Chairman Ajit Pai seeking information by April 4 on the agency's "retention and disposition of electronic communications, including email, text messages, chat and instant messages and social media" messages. “Transparency, openness, and honesty are all bedrock principles of a functioning government responsive to its people," the lawmakers wrote. House Commerce "seeks to ensure the agencies under its jurisdiction uphold these principles." The lawmakers did not target other agencies under their jurisdiction. The National Archives and Records Administration "has yet to approve the FCC’s approach to records management," so "we are concerned that the FCC may not be managing its electronic records in accordance with federal law and guidance, potentially thwarting the public from an understanding of the FCC’s decision-making process and how it conducts its business.” The FCC didn't comment.