Hearing of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee - Oversight of the Federal Communications Commission

Hearing

Thank you Chairman Thune for holding this hearing today. Oversight of the agencies within our jurisdiction is one of the most important roles for this committee.

Nearly three weeks ago, the FCC responded to the DC Circuit Court -- and more than 4 million Americans -- by restoring essential protections for consumers and competition on the Internet. There will be much discussion today about the content and development of those rules. There also will be much scrutiny on the legal justification the FCC used to support its adoption of those rules.

While those legal means are important -- in fact, they are the statutory tools Congress gave the FCC to perform its job -- we must not lose sight of the results of this rulemaking in terms of the protections the FCC adopted.

As I have said repeatedly, I remain open to true bipartisan congressional action provided that such action fully protects consumers, does not undercut the FCC's role, and leaves the agency with flexible, forward-looking authority to respond to changes in the dynamic broadband marketplace. Many of you have heard me speak of "Title X."

I use that term as a way to think beyond the rhetoric surrounding Title II and Section 706. For me, the key question we must ask now is how to take what the FCC has done and provide the certainty that only legislation can provide. It is part of the larger debate on the appropriate role of our laws and regulations in the broadband age. And as we have that broader discussion, I invite you, Chairman Wheeler, to work with us to craft the right policies to accomplish that goal.

As important as the issue of net neutrality is to the nation, however, we should not forget the other vital work done by the FCC.

With ongoing regulatory oversight over as much as one-sixth of our nation's economy, the FCC plays a critical role in ensuring universal access, promoting competition, and protecting public safety and consumers.

The FCC recently closed the biggest spectrum auction in history, raising $41 billion and fully funding the nationwide public safety wireless broadband network and providing $20 billion for deficit reduction. And it is in the midst of planning for the voluntary broadcast television incentive auction -- a new form of spectrum auction that could fundamentally change the nation's spectrum policy.

Yet we cannot rest on our laurels when it comes to spectrum. Continued public and private technological development will continue to put strains on our spectrum resources going forward. Congress, the FCC, and the rest of the federal government must work together to develop a smart, forward-looking spectrum policy for the nation, and I stand ready to be a leader in that effort.

The FCC also is overseeing the ongoing evolution of the nation's communications networks, known as the IP transition.

One of the trial projects associated with the IP transition is proposed in Florida, and I look forward to an update from the commissioners on its review of that proposal. More generally, I have concerns about how the IP transition might affect public safety -- an issue I recently asked the Government Accountability Office to examine.

The FCC has done a lot to modernize its universal service fund programs, including expanding the E-Rate program. This program provides critical support for our nation's schools and libraries. The enhancements and increased funding will help guarantee that our nation's students have access to 21st Century technology.

I also appreciate the work undertaken by the FCC to increase the availability of affordable high-speed broadband in rural areas in Florida and around the country. I encourage you to redouble those efforts to ensure that the digital divide is bridged and all Americans can benefit from the value of broadband service.

Before I close, I also want to take a moment to thank Chairman Wheeler and the FCC staff's work on improving the agency's consumer complaints database. Senator Udall and I sent a letter to the FCC last year asking them to upgrade the commission's consumer complaint website to make it more user-friendly. And the chairman delivered on that request.
The new consumer complaint website is light years ahead of the previous system, and I hope to continue to work with the chairman on additional upgrades to the FCC's complaint system.

I want to thank all five FCC commissioners for appearing before the committee today and for their thoughtful comments. I look forward to hearing your testimony.

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