Jun-08-11
09:14am From-HoUie EneriY & Commerce Committee
202-225-1919
T-002 P.002/003 F-999
HENRY A. WAXMAN, CALIFORNIA
RANKING MEMBER
ONE HUNDRED iWELFTH CONGRESS
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COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND COMMERCE
2125 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICEBUI~OING
WASHINGTON. DC 2051&-6115
FRED UPTON. MICHIGAN
CHAIRMAN
M,ljorlty (202) 22&-2927
Mi"Ority 12021225-3641
June 8, 2011
The Honorable Julius Genachowski
Chairman
Federal Communications Commission
Room: 8-B201
445 12
th
Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20554
Dear Chairman Genachowski:
Thank you for your letter indicating that you plan to strike from the Code ofFederal
Regulations the Fairness Doctrine and related provisions, as we requested. We are heartened by
your continued opposition to the Fairness Docnine because ofit chilling effects on free speech
and the free flow ofideas. When precisely will you eliminate the Fairness Doctrine and related
regulations at 47 C.F.R. §§ 73.1910, 76.209, 76.1612 and 76.l613? What is involved? Do you
have the support ofyour fellow commissioners? How long will it take?
We are also pleased by your commitment in the letter to abide by President Obama's
Executive Order 13563 on Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review, even though it does
not bind independent agencies such as the FCC. A thorough review ofthe Commission's
regulations and the repeal ofoutdated rules will unleash private sector investment, spur growth
and create jobs for the American people. Unfortunately, the path forward remains unclear. We
have yet to see a plan from your agency on how it will implement the January 2011 order and
begin eliminating other outmoded and economically harmful regulations. According to testimony
before this committee last week by Cass R. Sunstein, Administrator ofthe Office ofInformation
and Regulatory Affairs in the Office ofManagement and Budget, the only independent agency to
have submitted a plan is the National Labor Relations Board, and its plan amounted to a single
page. When will you submit a plan to Administrator Sunstein? When will you begin eliminating
other antiquated rules that stifle investment and harm innovation? What concrete steps will you
take to reduce the burden on small businesses, who are loday's primary engine for jobs growth?
How many jobs will you create through your deregulatory efforts? Unnecessarily burdensome
regulations are never appropriate, but eliminating them quickly is all the more important in light
ofthe continued fiscal distress we find our country in.
Jun-08-11
09:14am From-Houie EnerlY , Commerce Committee
202-225-1919
T-002 P,OOl/OOl F-999
Letter to the Honorable Julius Genachowski
Page 2
Thank you also for highlighting statutory provisions that you believe have become moot
over time and that may be appropriate for repeal or revision. We will consider yours and other
suggestions for possible "clean up" legislation addressing just these types ofissues.
Please respond to the questions in this letter by close of business Friday, June 10,2011. If
you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact our Committee staff at (202) 225-2927.
Sincerely,
Chairman, Subcommittee on Communications
and Technology
cc: The Honorable Henry A. Waxman, Ranking Member
The Honorable Anna G. Eshoo, Ranking Member
Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
Commissioner Michael J. Copps
Commissioner Robert M. McDowell
Commissioner Mignon Clyburn
Og: 14.m From-Hou,o EnorlY , Commorco Comm It too
202-225-1919
T-002 P.OOI/OOl F-999
Committee on Energy and Commerce
Republican Office
u.s. House ofRepresentatives
2125 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: (202) 225-2927
Fax: (202) 225-1919
To:
From;
Fax:
Date:
Phone,
Pages,
Notes,
Ms. Terri Glaze, Director of Legislative Affairs, Federal Communications Commission for
Chairman Julius Genachowski. Federal Communications Commission
Rep. Fred Upton, Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce
(202) 418-7812
June 8, 2011
202.418.1000
2 (Including cover)
Detail request letter
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