House Communications Sets Nov. 30 FCC Oversight Hearing on Biden's 'Broadband Takeover'
The House Communications Subcommittee plans a Nov. 30 FCC oversight hearing that will scrutinize President Joe Biden’s “Broadband Takeover,” the Commerce Committee said Tuesday. The announcement's tone likely presages a major focus on the FCC’s pursuit of a new net neutrality rulemaking that largely mirrors the commission’s rescinded 2015 rules and a reclassification of broadband as a Communications Act Title II service (see 2310190020), lobbyists told us. Meanwhile, two senior House Commerce members -- Reps. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., and Bill Johnson, R-Ohio -- announced they’re not seeking reelection in 2024.
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The FCC under Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel “is attempting a government takeover of broadband by imposing burdensome new regulations that will harm people’s access to broadband, increase costs, and slow deployment,” said House Commerce Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., and Communications Chairman Bob Latta, R-Ohio. “We will hold” Rosenworcel “and the other FCC commissioners accountable for their partisan efforts to micro-manage Americans’ broadband services. The FCC must return to its mission of strengthening U.S. leadership in next-generation technologies.”
The hearing will begin at 10:30 a.m. in 2123 Rayburn. Latta told us in October that House Communications’ next FCC oversight hearing would focus on Rosenworcel’s pursuit of a new net neutrality rulemaking that largely mirrors the commission’s rescinded 2015 rules and reclassification of broadband as a Communications Act Title II service (see 2310170071). Lobbyists expect House Communications members will also probe the FCC’s adoption of rules aimed at curbing digital discrimination (see 2311150040) that some Republicans claim stray far from authorizing language in the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
"I'm very proud of the body of bipartisan work I’ve been able to achieve” since becoming a member of Congress in 1993, Eshoo said in a video announcing her retirement. She highlighted her work on legislation aimed at the “advance of high technology for the betterment of society” but didn’t specifically cite any of her work on communications policy measures, which included a stint as House Communications ranking member. She’s been a lead advocate for legislation to codify the FCC’s 2015 net neutrality rules, including the Save the Internet Act (see 2103300001). Eshoo has continued pushing for more funding for next-generation 911 technology upgrades, including as part of a broader spectrum legislative package (see 2305240069). She’s also been very active in recent Congresses on media issues, including as a lead sponsor of the Modern Television Act to repeal parts of the 1992 Cable Act, including retransmission consent rules (see 2103110064).
Johnson, a former House Communications member, said he’s “accepted the offer to lead Youngstown State University” in Ohio rather than seek re-election. “I will continue serving in the House for several more months, and you will see no let up,” he posted on X. “There is still much left on my agenda to do before I depart Congress.” Johnson joined House Commerce in 2013. He’s been active on spectrum legislation, including as lead sponsor of the House-passed Advanced, Local Emergency Response Telecommunications Parity Act (HR-1353) to require the FCC to allow satellite direct-to-cell service providers and others to apply to access spectrum to fill in wireless coverage gaps in unserved areas specifically to provide connectivity for emergency services (see 2304260056). Johnson was a lead co-sponsor last year of the Extending America’s Spectrum Auction Leadership Act, a bid for short-term renewal of the FCC’s spectrum auction authority (see 2205190068).