General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsHouse bill to extend payroll cuts will limit FCC ability to give more bandwidth to Wi-Fi
instead calling for auctioning off unlicensed spectrum.
Almost anyone who uses a tablet computer, laptop, or smartphone has likely taken advantage of the availability of unlicensed spectrum the FCC has provided in the past by using one of the growing Wi-Fi spots available at coffee shops, stores, and other places around the country. Kerry and other lawmakers, as well as tech companies, public-interest groups, and others, would like to see the FCC free up even more unlicensed spectrum for Wi-Fi and new technologies but worry the provision in the spectrum bill approved by the House Energy and Commerce Communications and Technology Subcommittee could derail that effort.
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Reed Hundt, who served as FCC chairman during the Clinton administration, described the House spectrum bill as the single worst telecom bill I have ever seen. Hundt, however, said he is concerned it could get passed as part of the payroll-tax package because many members want to see payroll-tax cut extended.
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Supporters of the House spectrum language may have the upper hand in negotiations with the Senate on the payroll-tax package. Both Walden and Energy and Commerce Chairman Fred Upton, R-Mich., are among the House conferees on the payroll-tax measure as is Energy and Commerce ranking member Henry Waxman, D-Calif. However, no Senate Commerce Committee members are on the payroll-tax conference panel, which would allow them to directly push for their version of the spectrum legislation.
Im worried about the dynamics of the payroll-tax process because Im not sure everybody engaged in that shares quite the same sensitivity that is represented in this room and elsewhere, Kerry said.
http://www.nationaljournal.com/tech/kerry-seeks-internet-help-on-spectrum-20120131
HopeHoops
(47,675 posts)Why the FUCK can't we just get a clean bill amendment?
karynnj
(59,503 posts)in bills that help people. The Democrats proposed it be paid for with a tax on the wealthy. If the Buffett rule tax increase passes, it would likely more than pay for the payroll tax extension.
HopeHoops
(47,675 posts)Attaching an environmental regulation to a condom availability bill is sort of the way I see almost everything that goes through Congress - no relationship.
karynnj
(59,503 posts)My point was that this is a little bit different. It is the type of thing once done to complete with Gramm/Rudman and other budget constraints. The reason it is a likely is that the Republicans are unwilling to pass anything that adds to the debt -- and they rule out any tax increases. This means a lot of completely unrelated ways to cut costs or raise revenue.
The problem is that this should be decided based on a real examination of policy - not just using it to raise money.
raouldukelives
(5,178 posts)TheKentuckian
(25,026 posts)karynnj
(59,503 posts)TheKentuckian
(25,026 posts)It is my hope that they blow its "brains" out and kill the silly thing.
Johonny
(20,851 posts)so long it is an old established business with lots of $ to buy their votes.