WASHINGTON-The Federal Communications Commission’s request to increase its budget by 8 percent received a chilly reception last month by lawmakers.
“It will be very difficult. It will be impossible,” said Rep. Frank Wolf (R-Va.), chairman of the House Appropriations commerce subcommittee.
In his first appearance before Congress since assuming the chairmanship March 18, new FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said some of the budget increase would be for building a new engineering facility in suburban Maryland, the result of a two-year study on how to improve the commission’s engineering resources.
“The most efficient thing would be to build a new facility,” said Martin, noting that some of the buildings are nearly 100 years old. The new facility would be built at the existing site of the Columbia, Md., engineering lab and is budgeted to cost $9.3 million.
“Personnel at that station assist the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security in monitoring activities, while also carrying out routine FCC enforcement functions. The requested funds would provide site preparations, construction, utility tie-ins, security access and monitoring, and telecommunications hook-ups,” said Martin.
Upgrading the Columbia engineering facility was a key priority for former FCC Chairman Michael Powell.
Due to the timing of the budget process, Martin was forced to defend Powell’s proposed budget.
The commission’s 2006 budget request asks for more than $304 million in spending authority, the bulk of which-more than $299 million-would be financed from regulatory fees. The FCC is asking Congress to appropriate less than $5 million from general revenues.
During his appearance, Martin gave a brief clue as to his priorities.
“I am in the process of working with my colleagues on the commission and with members of Congress to develop plans for promoting the deployment of broadband services, deregulating where competition exists, enhancing public safety and homeland security, ensuring the viability of the universal-service fund, promoting the efficient use of spectrum and reviewing media regulation to foster competition and diversity,” said Martin.
While Martin develops his agenda, the communications industry is anxiously awaiting the White House nomination of two Republicans-one to fill the seat vacated by Powell and one to fill the seat of FCC Commissioner Kathleen Abernathy, whose term expired last year. Abernathy must leave the FCC by the end of the year since she told the White House she does not wish to be renominated.
Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee is no longer pushing for Earl Comstock to be on the FCC, and instead has put forward Christine Kurth, deputy staff director of the Senate Commerce Committee.
Both Stevens and Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), ranking member, have endorsed a second term for FCC Commissioner Michael Copps, whose term expires in June.
Since the Senate must confirm nominees to the FCC, the Senate Commerce Committee’s choices are often named.
The selection for the other seat is all over the map with Washington insiders whispering their favorite choice in hopes that name will gain momentum.
