[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 117 (Friday, August 2, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1463-E1464]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           INTRODUCTION OF THE FCC MODERNIZATION ACT OF 1996

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JACK FIELDS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 2, 1996

  Mr. FIELDS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, in February of this year, we 
passed, and the President signed, the most sweeping change to our 
Nation's telecommunications laws in over 62 years--the 
Telecommunications Act of 1996, Public Law 104-104.
  Earlier this Congress, I promised that after we finished rewriting 
our telecommunications laws the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and 
Finance would then focus its efforts on downsizing and reducing 
unnecessary underbrush at the Federal Communications Commission. Today, 
I introduce the FCC Modernization Act of 1996 for just that purpose.
  Mr. Speaker, the FCC Modernization Act of 1996 is not an effort to 
revolutionize the telecommunications industry. We already did that, and 
the industry and the Commission are still feeling the effects of our 
changes. In fact, yesterday the Commission adopted its report and order 
to implement the centerpiece of the 1996 act--bringing competition to 
the local telephone market. The Commission has been

[[Page E1464]]

working long and hard on this proposal, and I am interested in seeing 
their results.
  The FCC Modernization Act of 1996, instead, is about further reducing 
the regulatory burdens on a competitive industry and streamlining the 
operations of the Commission. More important, this bill is about asking 
the Commission to plan for the future--the future of the Commission in 
a competitive world. Specifically, section 2 of the bill requires the 
Commission to prepare and submit a detailed report to Congress on 
exactly what the Commission should look like once the 1996 act is 
implemented.
  Mr. Speaker, a fully competitive marketplace will ultimately decrease 
the role of a Federal regulator. In my opinion, competition, if we have 
done our jobs right, should develop very, very quickly. Section 2 
forces the Commission to prepare for the moment when markets are ruled 
by competition rather than by regulation; it asks the important 
questions before that moment is upon us.
  This bill also reduces what I call the regulatory underbrush, those 
provisions of telecommunications law that no longer are applicable in 
an information age. For example, this bill would eliminate the 
requirement that telephone companies file every contract, agreement, or 
arrangement with another telephone company with the Commission, section 
4. Instead, my bill retains the Commission's authority to file such 
information when it deems necessary. Thus, the bill eliminates an 
unnecessary provision of law without harming the Commission's ability 
to protect the public interest, convenience, and necessity.
  The FCC Modernization Act of 1996 is another step forward in this 
Congress' effort to prepare for a competitive telecommunications 
market. I believe that providing further regulatory relief to our 
Nation's fast growing, most important sector will help create more 
high-technology, high-paying jobs for American workers. Further, it 
will stir industry investment and innovation that will only benefit 
consumers in the long run.
  Mr. Speaker, I am happy to have my good friend, Mr. Dingell, join me 
as an original co-sponsor of the legislation. It is my hope that we can 
move this bill quickly through the legislative process and make it law. 
I urge all Members to support this bill.

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