U.S. Reps. Bill Johnson (R-OH) and John Joyce (R-PA) on May 16 signed on as original cosponsors of a bipartisan bill to extend the authority of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to auction wireless spectrum. The FCC’s authority to auction spectrum is set to expire in September.
“It’s vitally important that the FCC’s auction authority not lapse in September; we must ensure it can continue to free up badly needed spectrum,” Rep. Johnson said. “The United States must maintain its leadership in 5G deployment, and spectrum is a key component of that.”
As a co-chair of the congressional 5G Caucus, Rep. Johnson said he’s working to ensure the FCC has the tools it needs to advance wireless technologies in America, which he said must win the race to 5G. “This legislation would go a long way toward ensuring we do,” said Rep. Johnson.
The Extending America’s Spectrum Auction Leadership Act of 2022, H.R. 7783, which is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids (D-KS), would reauthorize the FCC’s authority through March 31, 2024, and at the same time ensure an important source of revenue for the U.S. Treasury, according to the lawmakers.
“Nearly 520,000 rural Pennsylvanians live without fast and reliable internet access. This legislation reauthorizes another essential tool to help connect families and businesses to the critical internet services and information they need,” Rep. Joyce said. “I’m proud to be working with my colleagues to introduce this legislation, and I look forward to its swift passage in the House of Representatives.”
H.R. 7783 has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee.