Oversight hearings on the broadband stimulus program and the Gena...
Oversight hearings on the broadband stimulus program and the Genachowski FCC are the first order of business in the House Communications Subcommittee as Congress returns. Other matters will have a tough time getting on the agenda as lawmakers resume…
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work on health care and climate change legislation. Few expect major telecom enactments this year, other than must-pass satellite reauthorization legislation and possibly a cybersecurity bill, according to lobbyists, trade associations and Hill sources. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., has said he will allow floor time on a cybersecurity measure but none for satellite. This means that to pass Congress, any other telecom provisions must have the full support of all members, an especially daunting test in the Senate. Progress is slow on Universal Service Fund legislation spearheaded by Communications Subcommittee Chairman Rick Boucher, D-Va., and Rep. Lee Terry, R-Neb. A hearing could be held this year, but draft legislation is still being worked on, Commerce aides said. Efforts in the Senate aren’t even that far along, although interest is strong among Commerce Committee leaders. But health-care and climate-change bills are expected to dominate the committee’s agenda. Hearings may be held on a national wireless framework legislation, data roaming, special access and handset exclusivity, CTIA officials said. The association is on the sidelines on most of these issues since its members have differing views, officials said. Hearings could allow Congress to express opinions as the FCC pursues its notices of inquiry on related matters. “Everyone is watching” for any potential legislation dealing with privacy and behavioral advertising, a point of interest for Boucher, President Steve Largent told reporters last week. Senate leaders want to pass a cybersecurity bill, a goal that Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., has pursued intensely. His most recent draft would allow the president, working with industry, to develop a plan for responding to cybersecurity threats. This tones down previous provisions that would have allowed the president to shut down Internet traffic in response to a major threat. But several other committees have drafted their own bills, and they would have to be coordinated for a measure to pass Congress.