D.C. Memo: Sen. Blackburn Says New Congress Will Use the CRA
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CRA: Expect the new Congress to invoke a law that permits the nullification of regulations by agencies like the FCC, Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) said yesterday at Washington, D.C. forum hosted by Broadband Breakfast. "One of the things you will see is a focus on regulatory rollback. What is in an impediment and where is something that has become an obstacle? Where is something that has outlived its usefulness and does more harm than help. And you will see this Congress use the Congressional Review Act,” said Blackburn, who has a seat on the Commerce Committee. In July, Blackburn sponsored a CRA resolution to void the FCC’s new Net Neutrality regulations, which were blocked on Aug. 1 by a federal court. "And, one thing I can tell you, we are going to address and try to stop the back and forth on is Net Neutrality because that is something that is burdensome,” said Blackburn, who was not specific in outlining her approach. Blackburn said she expects the new Congress to conduct an audit to free up spectrum now in government hands for use by the private sector. The FCC lost its authority to auction spectrum last March. "This is the longest that we have seen such an expiration – first time in 30 years. So we have to address that,” she said. On the BEAD program, Blackburn did not address withholding any of the $42.45 billion slated for state broadband projects. Instead, she said NTIA would focus on eliminating “burdensome” and “overreaching regulations,” such as rate regulation, DEI, climate change assessments, unionized workforce, and excessive per-location costs. "We're going to bring those issues forward, have a review of that, and then we will also look at the duplicative broadband grant programs and see how we can consolidate these,” she said. Blackburn also applauded President-elect Trump’s decision to name Brendan Carr as his FCC Chairman. “He is going to do a wonderful job over there. We're looking forward to that. He's got really quite a record. We worked with him extensively on Internet access, broadband expansion, and he has been in Tennessee with me. He understands what these broadband providers – the problems that they face – and I'm looking forward to having him there,” she said.
