House Rules Eyes Amendments to FY23 FCC, FTC Funding Package
The House Rules Committee began considering proposed amendments Monday to the FY 2023 omnibus appropriations package that includes funding for the FCC, FTC and Agriculture Department rural broadband programs (HR-8294). The measure proposes giving the FCC $390 million and the…
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FTC $490 million (see 2206270061). Several amendments target the FTC, but none aims to set new FCC policy riders (see 2207140070). House Appropriations Financial Services Subcommittee Chairman Mike Quigley, D-Ill., highlighted “new language” in HR-8294 that removes an FCC barrier to broadcasters airing ads for cannabis products. The text is focused on “protecting FCC licenses for broadcasters advertising cannabis where it’s legal,” he said. The provision got criticism from some House Appropriations Republicans, including ranking member Kay Granger of Texas (see 2206270061). Appropriations Financial Services ranking member Steve Womack, R-Ark., criticized the proposed 30% increase in the FTC’s annual funding. Appropriations Agriculture Subcommittee Chairman Sanford Bishop, D-Ga., cited HR-8294’s proposed $560 million for USDA rural broadband programs, which is needed “as we continue to prioritize closing the digital divide.” A late amendment from House Agriculture Committee Chairman David Scott, D-Ga., and ranking member Glenn Thompson, R-Pa., proposes allocating $3 billion annually through FY 2030 for a permanent version of the ReConnect program, $300 million annually through the same period for USDA’s Innovative Broadband Advancement and Middle Mile programs, $150 million annually for the Community Connect Grants and Distance Learning and Telemedicine programs and $25 million annually for the Broadband Connections program.