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House to Consider FY 2017 FCC Funding Bill This Week

The House is poised to consider its divisive FY 2017 FCC funding bill on the floor this week. House Republican amendments filed Friday already tackle some key telecom issues. Commerce Committee Vice Chairwoman Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., filed a floor amendment…

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that would prohibit "funding for the FCC to use Net Neutrality rules to implement, administer or enforce privacy restrictions against broadband Internet service providers pursuant to Section 222 of the Communications Act." Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga., submitted his own amendment that would prevent "funds from being used to expand the Lifeline program to provide support for broadband internet access until the Federal Communications Commission implements an operating budget that includes a cap that does not exceed $2,000,000,000." A $2-billion Lifeline cap is higher than the $1.5 billion cap in legislation that Scott pressed earlier this year. “The Committee on Rules is likely to meet the week of June 20th to grant a rule that may provide a structured amendment process for floor consideration” of the FY 2017 Financial Services bill (HR-5485), Rules Committee Chairman Pete Sessions, R-Texas, said in a notice last week. “I am committed to a structured process that allows for ample debate, while ensuring we can deliver to the American People the legislative solutions they deserve.” The Rules Committee shows the funding bill, which includes riders curbing the net neutrality order, mandating a pause to the set-top box proceeding and addressing broadcaster joint sales agreements and FCC process, among items “that may be considered pursuant to a rule” this week, not naming a specific day. Amendments are due 12 p.m. Monday, and the committee will meet to address the bill and how to proceed with any filed amendments 5 p.m. Tuesday in H-313 of the Capitol. Rep. Sean Duffy, R-Wis., also filed an amendment Friday that would forbid “funds from being used to implement, administer, or enforce a regulatory action of $100 million unless approved by Congress.” A key Republican appropriator told us earlier this month that there has been GOP debate about whether the amendment process will be “either modified or closed, see how that plays with the other side” (see 1606090057). Democratic aides for key Commerce Committee and Appropriations Committee Democrats didn’t comment about any amendments they may file.