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Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

What is the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)?

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is the U.S. federal government’s regulatory agency for the majority of telecommunications activity within the country. The FCC oversees radio, television, telephone, satellite, and cable communications, and its primary statutory goal is to expand U.S. citizens’ access to telecommunications services.

The Commission is organized into 7 bureaus:

  • Consumer & Governmental Affairs
  • Enforcement
  • Media
  • Space
  • Wireless Telecommunications
  • Wireline Competition
  • Public Safety and Homeland Security

As an agency, the FCC receives its high-level directives from Congressional legislation and is empowered by that legislation to establish legal rules the industry must follow.

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APHIS Bans Imports of Banana and Plantain Plant Parts, but Not Fruits, From Venezuela
July 17, 2023 |USDA

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announced that it is banning imports of parts of banana and plantain plants from Venezuela due to detection of the plant pest Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Tropical race 4. The prohibition, which takes effect July 19 and was announced in an amended Federal Order, does not apply to banana and plantain fruits, seeds, leaves, cut flowers or plants in tissue culture, APHIS said. Rather, the ban covers imports of Musa spp. and Ensete ventricosum plant parts including rooted plants, rooted and unrooted cuttings, roots, and rhizomes.

Topics:Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
APHIS Announces Messaging Changes for Cargo at Plant Inspection Stations
July 7, 2023 by Noah Garfinkel|USDA

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service plant inspection stations (PIS) will on Aug. 7 begin the use of entry status notifications to "communicate directly with filers," APHIS announced July 7. Filers no longer will receive an automated "may proceed" message, instead getting a message such as "Data Under Review," "Hold Intact" and "Data Rejected," APHIS said. Only after the inspection process is completed will filers receive a "May Proceed" message, APHIS said.

Topics:Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
APHIS Allows of Garland Chrysanthemum From Mexico
June 28, 2023 |USDA

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is allowing imports of fresh leaves and stems of garland chrysanthemum (Glebionis coronarium) from Mexico, it said June 28. APHIS said “the application of one or more designated phytosanitary measures will be sufficient to mitigate the risks of introducing or disseminating plant pests or noxious weeds,” APHIS said. Effective June 28, APHIS is allowing imports into the continental U.S., Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, subject to the phytosanitary requirements specified by the agency.

Topics:Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
APHIS to Allow Imports of Phalaenopsis Orchids From Costa Rica
June 7, 2023 |USDA

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will allow imports of Phalaenopsis orchids in approved growing media from Costa Roca into the continental U.S., it said in a notice released June 7. Imports will be subject to the general conditions for importing plants for planting in approved growing media, as well as specific requirements set in a joint U.S.-Costa Rica work plan, APHIS said. The final rule takes effect June 8.

Topics:Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)