[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 37 (Monday, February 27, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H890-H891]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   EXTENSION OF FCC AUCTION AUTHORITY

  Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 1108) to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to extend the 
authority of the Federal Communications Commission to grant a license 
or construction permit through a system of competitive bidding.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 1108

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. EXTENSION OF FCC AUCTION AUTHORITY.

       Section 309(j)(11) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 
     U.S.C. 309(j)(11)) is amended by striking ``March 9, 2023'' 
     and inserting ``May 19, 2023''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Ohio (Mr. Latta) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio.


                             General Leave

  Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
insert extraneous material in the Record on the bill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Ohio?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, it is important today that we consider H.R. 1108. This 
bill would extend the Federal Communications Commission's general 
authority to auction spectrum and provide licenses and construction 
permits for the use of radio spectrum.
  This piece of legislation is sponsored by the gentlewoman from 
Washington who is the chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee and 
also by the ranking member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, the 
gentleman from New Jersey.
  Without congressional action, the FCC's authority to issue spectrum 
licenses expires on March 9. Auction authority is a key tool for making 
frequencies available for commercial uses that enable U.S. 
technological leadership.
  This bill will also ensure that FCC has the authority it needs to 
continue issuing licenses for a spectrum band that will be used to 
provide better coverage and wireless speeds across the United States.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1108 to extend the authority 
of the Federal Communications Commission to auction commercial 
spectrum.
  Our Nation's airwaves are one of our country's most important natural 
resources. Indeed, radio waves are a critical component in building 
next-generation wireless networks and delivering high-speed services to 
American consumers. As such, radio waves and the networks they support 
can make a meaningful difference in Americans' lives by expanding the 
reach of telehealth services, extending learning beyond the classroom, 
and providing critical communications for public safety activities. To 
achieve these notable goals, we must continue to expand the ability of 
commercial users to access our airwaves.
  H.R. 1108 provides a short-term extension of the Federal 
Communications Commission's auction authority for roughly 2 months from 
its expiration date this coming March.
  It is essential that we extend this authority. Congress has never 
allowed this spectrum authority to lapse, and to maintain our Nation's 
global leadership in wireless innovation, we must ensure that 
consistent management and oversight of spectrum remains intact, which 
includes spectrum auctions. For years these auctions have efficiently 
made our airwaves available for commercial use.
  Importantly, though, even with the passage of this legislation, our 
work will not be done. We must spend these next 2 months working with 
our Senate colleagues to pass a bipartisan spectrum agreement that can 
get to the President's desk before the FCC's auction authority expires 
again.

                              {time}  1730

  The Energy and Commerce Committee has traditionally worked in a 
bipartisan fashion on key telecommunication matters, and I commend 
Chairwoman Rodgers for continuing this tradition with this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this timely bill 
in a bipartisan manner, and I hope the Senate will soon follow. I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Washington State (Mrs. Rodgers), the chair of the Energy and Commerce 
Committee.
  Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 
1108, legislation I introduced with Ranking Member Frank Pallone to 
extend the Federal Communications Commission's general auction 
authority.
  For the last year, I have worked with Energy and Commerce Committee 
leaders and the Senate to develop sound spectrum policy that promotes 
economic growth and promotes our national security. In order for the 
U.S. to maintain its global competitive edge, we must get spectrum 
policy right and not cede our leadership to adversaries like China.
  Without congressional action, the FCC's authority to issue spectrum 
licenses expires on March 9. This bill will also ensure the FCC has the 
authority it needs to continue issuing licenses for a spectrum band 
that will be

[[Page H891]]

used to provide better coverage and wireless speeds across the United 
States.
  This short-term extension will also give us enough time to work out a 
broader deal on spectrum policy to ensure the United States continues 
to lead the world in 5G and technological innovation and beats China.
  I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in the House 
and Senate on a long-term spectrum auction extension, and I urge my 
colleagues to support this measure.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Dunn).
  Mr. DUNN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 
1108, a bill to extend the FCC spectrum auction authority through May 
19, 2023.
  From internet connectivity to telephone services, spectrum auctions 
are essential to the inner workings of the technologies that we use 
daily in our lives.
  The FCC's authority to use competitive bidding augments American 
competitiveness by enabling our commercial providers to access the 
spectrum they need to continue operating and innovating.
  In less than 2 weeks, the FCC's spectrum auction authority is set to 
expire. It is the duty of Congress to extend this authority, which has 
never been allowed to expire to date. The expiration of FCC auction 
authority would put U.S. wireless providers at a global competitive 
disadvantage, leaving users across the United States in dire straits.
  This bipartisan legislation provides a solution that works for 
everyone, and I encourage my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 1108.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, this is an important piece of legislation 
to extend this spectrum auction authority. I urge all of my colleagues 
to support it in a bipartisan manner, and I yield back the balance of 
my time.
  Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I also urge support of H.R. 1108. In the 
report that just came out from the Congressional Budget Office this 
past week for the budget outlook for 2023 to 2033, it is important to 
note that, on page 13, it cites that the FCC conducted several auctions 
in 2021 and 2022, which boosted net receipts in 2022 to $104 billion.
  Mr. Speaker, it is absolutely essential that this piece of 
legislation is passed, and I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 
1108.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Latta) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 1108.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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