FCC Reauthorization Draft Bill Would Freeze Agency Funding for Years

including it in the GOP memo for an FCC oversight hearing Thursday with all five commissioners. The reauthorization bill would let the agency adjust its fee schedule and would remove the FCC chairman’s ability to hire or fire its inspector general. “With this reauthorization, we are charting the course to make the necessary reforms to an agency that is ill equipped for the innovation era,” Walden said in a statement. “This bill addresses the commission’s disproportionate FY 2016 budget request, the runaway growth in the Universal Service Fund, and ensures that the FCC’s Inspector General can conduct oversight of the commission without fear of reprisal from a chairman.” The FCC requested $388 million for FY 2016, more than $50 million more than current funding. The GOP memo pointed to net neutrality, customer proprietary network information enforcement action, pre-emption of state municipal broadband restrictions, unfinished dockets, use of delegated authority and transparency as core areas that GOP lawmakers worry about. The memo cited “concerns” with recent testimony from FCC Managing Director Jon Wilkins -- “Mr. Wilkins was unable to provide details on the planned closures and staff re-organization of the field offices. Recent reports from the field indicate that the Commission is planning significant structural changes to its Enforcement Bureau. The Committee is concerned that transparency problems extend further into the budget request.” Wilkins testified that the FCC needs more money for “unavoidable costs” in moving its headquarters and for IT upgrades (see 1503040032). The FCC would receive $339.8 million each year through FY 2020, the draft text said. Walden’s hearing will be Thursday at 11 a.m. in 2123 Rayburn. The FCC declined comment.