Prospects for moving remaining telecom measures through Congress ...
Prospects for moving remaining telecom measures through Congress look bleak as lawmakers plan to return this week to finish remaining business, namely the stalled intelligence reform bill. Several Senate and industry sources have said Senate Commerce Committee Chmn. McCain…
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(R-Ariz.) isn’t going to back down from demands that the House pass his boxing reform legislation as part of the telecom package (HR-5419), which includes the spectrum relocation trust fund, E-911 funding and reform of the universal service fund accounting procedures. Industry and Senate sources said many members of Congress didn’t plan to travel to Washington unless key negotiators reached agreement on the intelligence bill over the weekend. The Senate could pass the bill next week under “unanimous consent” despite the absence of many members. But that couldn’t happen unless McCain and House Commerce Committee leadership reached an agreement on the boxing bill, something sources said Fri. was unlikely. “We may have to rehash that all over again next year,” Sen. Allen (R-Va.) said of the telecom bill. Allen also said he supported McCain’s boxing bill. A broad coalition of groups and companies sent a letter to Senate leadership urging passage of the bill. Signers included USTA, NTCA, OPASTCO, the Bells, CTIA, TIA, several wireless carriers and the Western Telecom Alliance.