WASHINGTON-The House Appropriations Committee sent a not-so-subtle message to the Federal Communications Commission when it told the agency this week it could not use industry funds for travel to trade shows.
“The committee is concerned about a recent report on FCC travel sponsored by non-federal sources. The recommendation includes language that prohibits FCC commissioners and staff from accepting payment from certain non-federal sources to attend conventions, conferences and meetings. The committee recommends a funding level that is sufficient to complete mission-critical travel,” reads the report accompanying the FCC budget of nearly $273 million for fiscal year 2004. This is almost $8 million more than the FCC received in FY03, but still more than $1 million less than President Bush suggested in his budget.
Action on the FCC’s budget was mired in the continuing controversy regarding media ownership rules, which is not expected to end any time soon.
The FCC’s budget now goes to the full House for consideration where the focus again is expected to be on media ownership.
The Senate Appropriations Committee still has not considered the FCC budget.
