President Joe Biden on Monday signed an executive order directing the Commerce Department, the FCC, the FTC and other federal agencies to establish new “rigorous” standards for how and when companies can deploy AI systems (see 2310040063).
The Biden administration’s Wednesday request for Congress to appropriate an additional $6 billion to fully fund the FCC’s affordable connectivity program (ACP) through the end of 2024 (see 2310250075) is drawing initial skepticism from top telecom-focused Republicans amid their push for the commission to be more transparent about how it has been spending the program’s existing $14.2 billion allocation. Congressional Democrats enthusiastically backed the White House’s request, noting it would give Capitol Hill more breathing room to examine whether and how to tie in changes to a longer-term ACP with a push for broader USF revamp legislation. Current estimates peg ACP as likely to exhaust its funding from the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act during the first half of 2024 (see 2309210060).
The House's election Wednesday of Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., as speaker drew praise from broadcasters and other communications sector stakeholders. The chamber voted 220-209 along party lines for Johnson over Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. Johnson was the Republicans' fourth nominee after Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana, Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan of Ohio and Majority Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota (see 2310240039). Johnson, a former conservative radio host, is a past Republican Study Committee chairman. His “leadership will be vital as the House returns to work to confront the numerous challenges we face as a country,” said NAB CEO Curtis LeGeyt in a statement. Johnson “has consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of the vital role broadcasters play in our communities. We look forward to continuing to work together to advance policies that support the lifeline service and trusted journalism broadcasters provide to the public.” Broadband “providers congratulate” Johnson “as we continue our work together to eliminate roadblocks to deployment so we can connect all communities as quickly and efficiently as possible,” said USTelecom CEO Jonathan Spalter. Johnson participated in a June amicus brief from Republican lawmakers in support of the petitioners in Loper Bright v. Raimondo urging the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the contemporary Chevron deference doctrine (see 2307240050).
The Biden administration asked Congress Wednesday afternoon to allocate $6 billion in stopgap funding for the FCC’s affordable connectivity program, more than communications sector officials anticipated last week (see 2310200067). The White House also urged Capitol Hill appropriate an additional $3.08 billion to close the FCC’s Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program funding shortfall (see 2310120067). The additional ACP money would “strengthen” ACP "by extending free and discounted high-speed internet for eligible households through December 2024,” the White House said in a fact sheet. ACP “is already helping over 21 million households save over $500 million per month on their monthly internet bills.” The program is “critical for the Administration’s high-speed internet deployment programs for rural, remote, and Tribal communities,” the administration said: “Without this funding, tens of millions of people would lose this benefit and would no longer be able to afford high-speed internet service without sacrificing other necessities.” USTelecom CEO Jonathan Spalter hailed the administration for seeking the ACP stopgap, saying the program “is a critical part of reaching our shared goal of universal connectivity” and “has already enabled more than 21 million low-income households to participate in our digital economy. We urge Congress to find a long-term solution to sustain this vital program.”
Senate Communications Subcommittee Chairman Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M., and subpanel members from both parties voiced growing frustration during a Tuesday hearing with DOJ’s perceived reticence in enforcing existing anti-robocall statutes and eyed the FCC’s Further NPRM giving consumers more choice on the robocalls and robotexts they will receive (see 2306080043). There was more uneven interest among Senate Communications members and witnesses at the hearing in pursuing additional legislation to address ongoing robocall problems amid those enforcement shortcomings.
Industry welcomed the FCC's efforts to establish a sustainability framework as part of its review of the future of its USF high-cost programs. Comments posted Tuesday in docket 10-90 showed widespread support for a contribution revamp and ensuring ongoing support for operational expenses remains available.
Tech9 software development company names DataBased’s Nate Richard, also ex-Qualtrics, chief revenue officer … BAI Connect, hybrid fiber/wireless internet services provider, names BroadVoice’s Kevin Connor chief financial officer ... Graybar, data networking products distributor, promotes Brad Lee to district vice president-California ... USTelecom announces newly elected officers and board members: Chair Jason Williams, Blackfoot Communications; Vice Chair Jeff England, Silver Star Communications; Secretary Melissa Mann, Lumen; Treasurer Rusty Moore, BBT; directors Tom Maguire, Brightspeed and Harold Zeitz, Ziply Fiber; Leadership Committee Chair Jennifer Prather, Totelcom Communications; Vice Chair Becky Scott, Epic Touch; and Secretary Josh Descant, REV Broadband.
The Biden administration is expected to seek about $4 billion in additional money for the FCC’s affordable connectivity program as part of a second part of the supplemental federal funding request it will send to Congress this week, communications sector lobbyists told us. House Democratic leaders are already highlighting the to-be-announced money as a priority alongside the stalled regular FY 2024 appropriations process once the chamber can elect someone to replace ousted Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.
FCC commissioners divided Thursday on a vote to reestablish net neutrality rules, during the agency's first open meeting with a full commission since Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel took the helm (see 2310130051). Commissioners Brendan Carr and Nathan Simington voted against an NPRM seeking comment on a proposal to return to 2015 rules that classified broadband as a Title II telecom service.
The Senate Communications Subcommittee rescheduled an anti-robocall hearing for Oct. 24, the Commerce Committee said Tuesday. The hearing will “examine how robocallers are evading enforcement, consider public-private efforts to combat illegal robocalls and investigate what next steps are needed to protect Americans from fraudulent and illegal text messages and calls,” Senate Commerce said. The panel postponed the hearing, originally planned for Oct. 3, amid reshuffling to accommodate senators who wanted to attend the funeral for former Senate Judiciary Committee ranking member Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. USTelecom Vice President-Policy and Advocacy Josh Bercu and YouMail Chief Technology Officer Mike Rudolph are among those set to testify. Also on the witness list: Wiley’s Megan Brown on behalf of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and National Consumer Law Center Senior Attorney Margot Saunders. The hearing will begin at 10 a.m. in 253 Russell.