WASHINGTON-The House Appropriations Committee last week approved the budget for the Federal Communications Commission for Fiscal Year 1999. The appropriation of $182 million is $5 million less than this year’s budget. The full House is tentatively scheduled to debate the measure later this week.
The bill contains language stating no funding may be used for rent for the Portals or relocation expenses until the current investigations find the lease is lawful. The Department of Justice and the House Commerce Committee are investigating whether political contributions may have impacted the government’s decision to move the FCC from its downtown location to the new building across town. The Commerce Committee investigation continued last week when Franklin Haney turned over documents the committee subpoenaed weeks ago.
