[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 76 (Wednesday, May 21, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H4373]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         RELEASE THE FCC ORDER

  (Mr. LATHAM asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. LATHAM. Mr. Speaker, it has come to my attention that today marks 
the third anniversary of the FCC's now-infamous press release 
announcing its decision on the local competition issue. In spite of the 
FCC's announcement, we still have not seen the text of the FCC's 
decision. This is a thorny issue, Mr. Speaker, one involving heartfelt 
disagreement. The only thing that both the incumbent local exchange 
carriers and competitive local exchange carriers agree on is the need 
for regulatory certainty.
  This uncertainty is precisely the wrong prescription for the ailing 
telecom sector of our economy. The telecommunications sector has been 
extremely hard-hit over the course of the last few years, laying off 
thousands of employees and shrinking construction budgets. The FCC's 
decision has the promise for bringing some regulatory certainty to the 
sector upon which it can base investment and hiring decisions.
  Instead of promptly releasing the text of the order, thereby 
hastening new investment and additional hiring, the FCC has delayed for 
90 days. This delay has the effect of preventing any economic benefits 
that could result from the Commission's decision. Having worked so hard 
to pass jobs and growth packages that will get our economy back on 
track, this delay is simply unacceptable.
  I hope the FCC will not delay the release of its order any longer. We 
need those jobs and investments in the telecom sector, and we need them 
soon.

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