[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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