[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 90 (Friday, June 25, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1287]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               H.R. 4715, THE SPECTRUM ACCOUNTABILITY ACT

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                            HON. JIM NUSSLE

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 25, 2004

  Mr. NUSSLE. Mr. Speaker, I come before the House today to introduce 
H.R. 4715, the Spectrum Accountability Act, which supports the 
adherence to sound principles of spectrum auction management, 
particularly the use of competitive bidding. This bill addresses the 
requirement for spectrum auctions and the need for the efficient 
management of this finite resource. The competitive bidding process has 
already shown us that a fair market value is best attained through the 
use of competitive bidding.
  At present, there is a disagreement over the proper statutory 
application of the Federal Communications Commission's requirement to 
conduct spectrum auctions. There are some who suggest that current 
communications law is unclear as to when an auction is required. This 
bill reaffirms the obvious intent of Congress to use the auction 
process and competitive bidding for the grant of commercial spectrum, 
and clarifies when the auction requirement is applicable.
  Congress has a duty to efficiently manage Federal resources. This 
duty is the same whether the resource is actual taxpayer dollars or 
public assets, such as electromagnetic spectrum, which are held by the 
Government. While it is the Federal Communications Commission's role to 
handle the operational aspects of spectrum management, this function 
must be carried out as prescribed by communications law. Congress was 
quite clear that auctions and the competitive bidding process provide 
the most efficient and appropriate means for spectrum management; this 
bill will dispel any remaining misconceptions on the matter.

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