Congressional Democratic leaders remain intent on attaching funding to restore the FCC’s lapsed affordable connectivity program to a year-end legislative package (see 2409170066). Some lawmakers acknowledge the push faces long odds in what’s likely to be a fraught lame-duck session. Some ACP boosters believe Capitol Hill’s lame-duck dynamics could change depending on the outcome of the Nov. 5 election. GOP lawmakers aren’t enthusiastic about attaching ACP money to a legislative vehicle this year, in part citing their longstanding demand for a major overhaul of the program in conjunction with additional funding.
The House approved the Future Uses of Technology Upholding Reliable and Enhancing Networks Act (HR-1513) Wednesday on a lopsided 393-22 vote. The measure would direct the FCC to establish a 6G task force that provides recommendations about ensuring U.S. leadership in developing that technology’s standards. The House originally intended to consider HR-1513 last week (see 2409060053). HR-1513 lead sponsor House Communications Subcommittee ranking member Doris Matsui, D-Calif., hailed approval of the measure. “We stand at a crossroads for the future of global innovation leadership” and the “economic and national security stakes in the race to 6G couldn’t be higher,” she said in a statement. “For the [U.S.] to stay the gold standard in wireless communications technology, we need to look forward and convene our best and brightest innovators to map the road ahead.” HR-1513 “will accelerate us down this path, making a crucial down payment on American leadership by taking steps forward as this technology evolves.” The House approved the Senate-passed Launch Communications Act (S-1648) Tuesday night on a voice vote (see 2409160056). The measure, which the Senate passed in October, and House-approved companion HR-682 would require that the FCC streamline the authorization process for commercial launches’ access to spectrum (see 2307260037).
The House Commerce Committee voted 45-2 Wednesday to advance the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act (HR-8449), as expected (see 2409170040). The panel's approval came after a lengthy debate over the proposed mandate that automakers include receiver technology in future automobiles. Several lawmakers voted in favor of HR-8449 but said more changes will be necessary before it reaches the floor. House Commerce later approved on voice votes amended versions of the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act (HR-7890) and Kids Online Safety Act (HR-7891) after a sometimes emotional debate (see 2409180048). The panel at our deadline hadn't yet considered the Telehealth Modernization Act (HR-7623).
House Administration Committee ranking member Joe Morelle of New York, Communications Subcommittee ranking member Doris Matsui of California and other Democrats voiced continued support Wednesday for FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel’s embattled AI political ad disclosures NPRM (see 2407250046). However, they suggested the agency should take further steps if Congress can agree on relevant legislation. Congressional Republicans have repeatedly criticized FCC action on the matter so near the November elections, including during a July House Communications agency oversight hearing (see 2407090049).
Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., remains optimistic that she can get enough panel members on board with her Spectrum and National Security Act (S-4207) during the August recess to open a viable path for the stalled measure during the waning days of this Congress. Three Senate Commerce Republicans who are also senior members of the Armed Services Committee and are seen as potential converts on S-4207 told us just before the chamber recessed that they remain highly dubious about the measure.
House Commerce Committee ranking member Frank Pallone of New Jersey, Communications Subcommittee ranking member Doris Matsui of California and the subpanel’s 10 other Democrats said Wednesday they’re backing the FCC’s proposal that requires disclosures on political ads created with generative AI (see 2407250046). The FCC is facing pushback from congressional Republicans over the AI proposal, as demonstrated during a July House Communications hearing (see 2407090049). NAB and the Motion Picture Association are seeking a 30-day extension for comments on the proceeding in docket 24-211 (see 2408120034). Comments are currently due Sept. 4, replies Sept. 19. “We believe that this action is necessary considering the growing impact of generative AI tools on our electoral process,” the House Communications Democrats said in a letter to FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “While AI is not new, the speed at which we are witnessing the deployment of generative AI is staggering. During this election season, we have already seen AI deployed to manipulate, confuse and misinform voters.” The Democratic lawmakers pushed back against claims by Republican Federal Election Commission Chairman Sean Cooksey and others that the FEC has sole authority over political reporting requirements and disclaimers (see 2406060051). “Such arguments ignore the relevant statutes and decades of precedent,” the Democrats said: “We also find it worrisome that such a simple, consumer-friendly proposal that imposes minimal burdens has evoked such strong opposition from Republicans -- even well before the full text of the proposal was released to the public” in late July (see 2407250046).
Members of the congressional Universal Service Fund revamp working group are considering whether, and how much, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals' ruling will affect their rollout of a framework for overhauling the program. The court ruled last week that the FCC's USF contribution factor is unconstitutional (see 2407240043). Experts believe lawmakers will likely factor the ruling into the framework, but it could be moot should the U.S. Supreme Court reverse the decision on appeal (see 2407260044). Uncertainty about USF’s future will likely extend the working group’s already lengthy process, lobbyists told us.
FCC staff changes: Wireline Bureau’s Lauren Garry ends her detail to Commissioner Brendan Carr’s office; Nese Guendelsberger, acting legal adviser-wireless to Commissioner Geoffrey Starks, returns to International Bureau; Anna Holland leaves Commissioner Anna Gomez’s office for National Institute on Aging; Flynn Rico-Johnson, ex-office of Rep. Doris Matsui, D-Calif., joins Starks’ office as policy adviser; Brian Phillips, ex-office of Rep. Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y., joins Office of Media Relations as deputy director; Troy Tanner shifts from Space Bureau to acting director-Office of International Affairs (see 2407180021); and retiring are: Carol Edwards, Office of the Managing Director; Paul Murray, Office of Engineering and Technology; Paul D'Ari, Wireless Bureau; and David Sieradzki, Public Safety Bureau.
FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks announces Flynn Rico-Johnson, former deputy chief of staff to Rep. Doris Matsui, D-Calif., as policy adviser-wireless, space, and international issues … Project Liberty Institute names former Taiwan Minister of Digital Affairs Audrey Tang as senior fellow … Manatt Phelps adds Mike Katz as a partner in its financial services practice; based in Manatt’s New York office, Katz will help lead the expansion of the firm’s blockchain capabilities ... Evolution Equity Partners, cybersecurity venture capital firm, promotes Aron Khurana to partner, in addition to his continuing role as head-investor relations.
Wilkinson Barker rehires Karen Milne, former TelevisaUnivision senior vice president-U.S. regulatory, as a partner in its D.C. office ... Consulting firm Crest Hill Advisors taps Kyle Victor, ex-VMware global head-government relations and public policy, as founder of its legislative practice; Victor also is former legislative director to Rep. Doris Matsui, D-Calif., ranking member on House Communications and Technology Subcommittee ... Maryland Public Service Commission announces retirement of Commissioner Anthony O'Donnell, effective immediately ... Responsive, strategic response management software provider, forms advisory board whose inaugural members include: Lakecia Gunter, chief technology officer, Microsoft Global Partner Solutions; Dan Springer, former DocuSign CEO; Stephen Diorio, managing director, the Revenue Enablement Institute; and Amy Wilkinson, Ingenuity CEO and lecturer in management, Stanford University Graduate School of Business ... Viad, trade show exhibition services provider, promotes Derek Linde to president of its GES business, in addition to his existing role as Viad’s chief operating officer ... Lattice Semiconductor names Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer Esam Elashmawi interim CEO; President-CEO Jim Anderson departs to pursue an opportunity at another company... Ataccama, AI-powered data management company, hires former IBM AI lead Jay Limburn as chief product officer, newly created role ... DXC Technology, global tech services provider, taps Kaveri Camire, former vice president for IBM’s hybrid cloud business, as senior vice president-chief marketing officer.