Walden: Trump Willing to ‘Build Upon’ Infrastructure Plan

SHARE THIS ARTICLE

During Wednesday’s vote by the House Commerce Committee on a measure to reauthorize the FCC, several Democrats complained about the lack of dedicated funding for broadband deployment in President Donald Trump’s infrastructure package revealed on Monday.

One of those, Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT), asked: “Will this committee take the lead?” The fear is state governors will use federal funds for other priorities like fixing roads and bridges unless the money is specifically earmarked to deploy broadband.

Committee Chair Greg Walden (OR) was one of the lawmakers invited to the White House on Wednesday to meet with Trump about the proposal. Walden reassured Welch he’s “got this one.” He said he made that very case at the White House. “I was encouraged that there is some money … put aside in the proposal,” said Walden. He added: “The president’s willing to work with us to build upon that.” 

Inside Towers reported the revised FCC reauthorization contains language that allows certain funds of bidders in FCC spectrum auctions to be deposited in the U.S. Treasury—fixing a problem in current law that prevents the Commission from holding a major spectrum auction.  

Another addition authorizes further repack funding to make-up an expected shortfall in broadcaster reimbursements. In addition to full-power TV stations, the funds would reimburse, for the first time, TV translators, low-power TV stations and FM radio stations to be displaced by the repack.

February 16, 2018

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.