Thune Makes Plugs for Public Broadcasting, Broadband Infrastructure, Mobile Now
Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., offered support last week for public broadcasting funding during one of his appearances throughout his home state, during Congress' two-week recess period. Public broadcasting “has a big following, not only here in South…
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Dakota but across the country,” Thune, a member of GOP leadership, said during a town hall, video of which was posted by the Aberdeen American News. “And it delivers services and news and information in places around the country where sometimes it’s hard to find other sources.” Eliminating CPB funding was included in the Trump administration’s FY 2018, which Senate and House GOP appropriators opposed (see 1704040079). Thune said White House proposals tend to be considered differently once Capitol Hill appropriators act, and Congress has the key role in determining funding. "That’s usually a very different discussion from a budget that comes forward from the administration," Thune said. He resisted needing to "do away" with certain programs but said there may be a need to seek cost savings to make them operate more efficiently. Thune also noted his focus on 5G as part of his Mobile Now bill, which is “awaiting action on the Senate floor.” Some speculate the bill may face Democratic holds but none is confirmed. Thune told town hall constituents of the need for more spectrum and the large fraction held by the federal government. There’s a need to “share it, allocate it differently, find new frequencies, all sorts of things,” Thune said. “I’m hoping if we can get [Mobile Now] cleared through the Senate, we can get it cleared through the House and on the president’s desk.” Lawmakers are still “waiting to see” the administration infrastructure proposal but it will “hopefully” address broadband, he said. He also addressed Mobile Now last week in speaking to students at Dakota State University in Madison.