Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chair Bob Latta (R-OH), and Subcommittee Ranking Member Doris Matsui (D-CA) expressed disappointment today over the Senate's failure to extend the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) spectrum auction authority, the first time it will be allowed to lapse since authority was first granted to the FCC three decades ago:  

“Extending the FCC’s spectrum auction authority is vital to maintaining American leadership in wireless technology, providing certainty to the public, and securing our global competitive edge–including against countries like China that do not share our fundamental values of democracy, free speech, and human rights. That’s why the House acted last month by unanimously passing H.R. 1108, which would extend this authority to May 19. We are disappointed that the Senate has not acted to do the same, because of the objections of one senator, and that the FCC's authority to issue spectrum licenses will expire for the first time ever as a result. We will continue to work with our colleagues in the House and Senate to get our nation back on track to establish a strong, sustainable spectrum policy that benefits consumers and advances U.S. interests globally.”