Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune (R-SD), and his counterpart in the House, Greg Walden (R-OR) are trying to secure $1 billion in additional repack reimbursements for television broadcasters that need to change channels as a result of the 600 MHz spectrum auction.
Thune suggested to Roll Call, the amount might be spread out over a two-year period, making it easier to include in the 2018 omnibus spending bill. Appropriators are balking at dispersing the additional funds in one year, he said.
Lawmakers are trying to pass the spending bill by March 23, when the current continuing resolution expires. The measure includes a two-year reauthorization of the FCC, ($333 million for the agency in fiscal 2019 and $339 million in fiscal 2020) which the House already passed, Inside Towers reported.
Walden put a priority on moving the agency measure with broadcaster funding as a standalone bill or as part of the omnibus, according to a spokeswoman for the House Commerce Committee. “We’re continuing to work with appropriators to ensure Congress upholds its commitment to broadcasters,” stated Elena Hernandez.
The FCC reauthorization would establish funds for categories of stations left out of the original repack reimbursement fund, including TV translators, low-power TV stations and FM radio stations, as well as include additional money for full-power TV stations. Congress set the original repack reimbursement amount at $1.75 billion; now certain lawmakers, Commission Chairman Ajit Pai and NAB say it could end up costing broadcasters twice that.
March 16, 2018
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