[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 40 (Wednesday, March 7, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E271-E272]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




REPACK AIRWAVES YIELDING BETTER ACCESS FOR USERS OF MODERN SERVICES ACT 
                                OF 2018

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. GENE GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 6, 2018

  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4986, 
the RAY BAUM'S Act.
  This important, bipartisan legislation will reauthorize the Federal 
Communications Commission for the first time in 28 years and includes 
reforms that will make the FCC more efficient and transparent.
  Today's bill includes provisions based on the Radio Consumer 
Protection Act, legislation I was proud to introduce with Congressman 
Bill Flores of Texas last September, that will reimburse radio 
broadcasters for costs related to the FCC's spectrum auction.
  The creation of the Broadcast Repack Fund and the FM Broadcast 
Station Relocation Fund in this legislation will help ensure that 
television and radio broadcasters will not be hit with the full cost of 
moving or adjusting transmitters and antennas, installation, and other 
costs that are part of the spectrum repack.
  The RAY BAUM'S Act, additionally, will provide $50 million to help 
educate consumers about the broadcaster repack and help make sure that 
the viewing and listening public continues to have access to important 
local news, weather, and emergency alerts provided by our local 
broadcasters.
  Finally, I was happy to see the inclusion of a provision that will 
make the FCC's Inspector

[[Page E272]]

General independent of the Chairman of the Commission. IG 
investigations, regardless of the party in power, must be independent 
of the individuals they are empowered to investigate.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in voting in support of the RAY BAUM'S 
Act.

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