[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Page 14511]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          NOMINATION OBJECTION

  Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, today I wish to express my frustration with 
the inaction of the Federal Communication Commission due to political 
reasons. The FCC's Chairman, Tom Wheeler, was forced to cancel a vote 
during their open meeting due to the inaction of one acting 
commissioner. That vote would have implemented a program to help rural 
Americans receive wireless broadband internet. I see no reason for the 
Commission to delay a vote, on a noncontroversial policy that would 
infuse universal service funding to the most high-cost rural 
communities across the country.
  I regularly hear from Oregonians in rural counties that it is clear 
high costs are preventing private sector broadband investment in parts 
of rural Oregon. The FCC must fulfill its responsibility to provide a 
lifeline to rural communities and a connection to the global economy. 
Wireless cell service and broadband internet spur economic opportunity, 
improve public safety, and increase educational outcomes for rural 
Americans. Any delay causes these rural communities to wait even longer 
for help.
  For these reasons, I am putting a hold on any confirmation vote for 
Jessica Rosenworcel to be a commissioner at the Federal Communications 
Commission.

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