The Mobile Now spectrum package introduced Thursday doesn't include what were considered some of the wireless industry's most highly anticipated priorities. The bipartisan 32-page version now filed as S-2555 no longer modifies a 2015 budget deal to specify that the federal government free up 50 MHz of spectrum rather than 30 MHz by 2024, nor does it include potent incentives for federal agencies to give up spectrum. Observers affiliated with the wireless industry said they were disappointed about the loss of those proposals, which followed intense Senate engagement with the Obama administration, while other observers outlined a desire for more focus on unlicensed use.
The Senate voted 75-20 Tuesday to approve the conference version of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act (HR-644), with language from the Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act (PITFA) attached, as expected (see 1602100061). President Barack Obama intends to sign HR-644, the White House said in a statement. The House passed the conference version of HR-644 in December (see 1512110058). Industry stakeholders praised Senate passage of HR-644 with the PITFA language intact. Some also noted what they view as a renewed fight against consideration of the Marketplace Fairness Act (S-698), which would let states tax remote sellers that have annual revenue exceeding $1 million.
The Senate voted 75-20 Tuesday to approve the conference version of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act (HR-644), with language from the Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act (PITFA) attached, as expected (see 1602100061). President Barack Obama intends to sign HR-644, the White House said in a statement. The House passed the conference version of HR-644 in December (see 1512110058). Industry stakeholders praised Senate passage of HR-644 with the PITFA language intact. Some also noted what they view as a renewed fight against consideration of the Marketplace Fairness Act (S-698), which would let states tax remote sellers that have annual revenue exceeding $1 million.
House Communications Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden, R-Ore., struck a hopeful note Wednesday about the three pieces of contested legislation advancing to a subcommittee markup vote Thursday. He hinted at such shifts in an interview Tuesday. "We’ll see at the markup,” Walden said with a wink when asked about possible changes to the measures to secure bipartisan support. But Communications Subcommittee ranking member Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., said that compromise wasn't reached.
Senate and industry supporters of keeping the Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act (PITFA) language in the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act customs reauthorization bill (HR-644) said Wednesday they're optimistic a deal struck Tuesday will forestall attempts to strike PITFA from HR-644 ahead of a planned final vote on that bill. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., agreed Tuesday to drop his plans to challenge the inclusion of PITFA language in HR-644 in exchange for a promise from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to allow Senate consideration of the controversial Marketplace Fairness Act (S-698) this year. McConnell filed cloture on HR-644 Tuesday, setting the bill on track for a final vote on the Senate floor Thursday.
House Communications Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden, R-Ore., struck a hopeful note Wednesday about the three pieces of contested legislation advancing to a subcommittee markup vote Thursday. He hinted at such shifts in an interview Tuesday. "We’ll see at the markup,” Walden said with a wink when asked about possible changes to the measures to secure bipartisan support. But Communications Subcommittee ranking member Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., said that compromise wasn't reached.
The conference report of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015, HR-644, passed the Senate on Feb. 11 by a landslide vote of 75-20, marking a major step toward reauthorizing CBP and changing a number of customs processes. The House passed the conference report in December (see 1512110029), and Senate approval means the bill will next go to President Barack Obama, who hasn't raised any objections. Industry and lawmaker reactions to the approval of the bill, which would go into effect 180 days after the President signs it into law, was largely positive.
The Senate voted 75-20 on Feb. 11 to approve the conference report of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 (HR-644), a major step toward reauthorizing CBP and changing a number of customs processes. The House passed the conference report in December, and Senate approval means the bill will next go to President Barack Obama, who hasn't raised any objections. Several provisions in the bill would take effect 180 days after Obama signs it into law.
Senate and industry supporters of keeping the Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act (PITFA) language in the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act customs reauthorization bill (HR-644) said Wednesday they're optimistic a deal struck Tuesday will forestall attempts to strike PITFA from HR-644 ahead of a planned final vote on that bill. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., agreed Tuesday to drop his plans to challenge the inclusion of PITFA language in HR-644 in exchange for a promise from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to allow Senate consideration of the controversial Marketplace Fairness Act (S-698) this year. McConnell filed cloture on HR-644 Tuesday, setting the bill on track for a final vote on the Senate floor Thursday.
The Obama administration’s FY 2017 proposal would include funding to continue FCC headquarters relocation and to overhaul the agency’s IT systems, with money for what it calls a geospatial information system solution. Tuesday's proposal also includes provisions on auctioning the 1675-1680 MHz band and calls for an FTC transaction fee change for especially expensive deals.