FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CH A IRM A N The Honorable Peter Welch U.S. House ofRepresentatives 2303 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Welch: May 1, 2014 Thank you for your letter regarding the Commission' s efforts to improve ownership diversity. I appreciate your support and collaboration as the Commission begins to address these Issues. Building on Commissioner Clyburn' s initiative on foreign investment to open new sources of capital, and coupled with our recent action on Joint Sales Agreements that will stop circumvention of our ownership rules, we hope to continue to create additional opportunities for diversity of ownership. Our statutory goals of promoting competition, diversity, and localism will be our guide as we work to complete our statutory directives under Section 257 of the Communications Act, as well as begin our 2014 Quadrennial Review, which includes a Further Notice on the diversity issues remanded to the Commission by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals . As you note, what we know for sure is that minority and female ownership statistics are low. We also know that the Commission currently lacks the kind of data necessary to adopt race- or gender-based rules that could withstand the strict or heightened scrutiny judicial review that would apply to such measures. For our part, in recent years the Commission has sought to improve its collection and analysis of broadcast ownership information, and make that data available to others for additional analysis and study. We will continue to refine and improve our data collection efforts in this area to help advance our underlying goals. In addition, we have tentatively concluded in the Further Notice adopted recently that reinstating the revenue-based eligible entity definition remanded by the Third Circuit will increase ownership opportunities for new entrants. We are seeking public input on that and other proposals commenters put before the Commission. I have pledged to establish a special team within the Commission to have recommendations regarding the 2014 Quadrennial Review to the full Commission by June 30, 2016. A necessary and essential part of the team ' s charter will include our shared goal of improving diversity. I look forward to working with you as we move forward on these important topics. ::h'e~ti- Tom Wheeler FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFF IC E OF THE CH AIRMAN The Honorable Frank Pallone U.S. House ofRepresentatives 237 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Pallone: May 1, 2014 Thank you for your letter regarding the Commission's efforts to improve ownership diversity. I appreciate your support and collaboration as the Commission begins to address these Issues. Building on Commissioner Clyburn's initiative on foreign investment to open new sources of capital, and coupled with our recent action on Joint Sales Agreements that will stop circumvention of our ownership rules, we hope to continue to create additional opportunities for diversity of ownership. Our statutory goals of promoting competition, diversity, and localism will be our guide as we work to complete our statutory directives under Section 257 of the Communications Act, as well as begin our 2014 Quadrennial Review, which includes a Further Notice on the diversity issues remanded to the Commission by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. As you note, what we know for sure is that minority and female ownership statistics are low. We also know that the Commission currently lacks the kind of data necessary to adopt race- or gender-based rules that could withstand the strict or heightened scrutiny judicial review that would apply to such measures. For our part, in recent years the Commission has sought to improve its collection and analysis of broadcast ownership information, and make that data available to others for additional analysis and study. We will continue to refine and improve our data collection efforts in this area to help advance our underlying goals. In addition, we have tentatively concluded in the Further Notice adopted recently that reinstating the revenue-based eligible entity definition remanded by the Third Circuit will increase ownership opportunities for new entrants. We are seeking public input on that and other proposals commenters put before the Commission. I have pledged to establish a special team within the Commission to have recommendations regarding the 2014 Quadrennial Review to the full Commission by June 30,2016. A necessary and essential part of the team's charter will include our shared goal of improving diversity. I look forward to working with you as we move forward on these important topics. ;;_t;t! Tom Wheeler FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Doris 0. Matsui U.S. House ofRepresentatives 2434 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congresswoman Matsui: May 1, 2014 Thank you for your letter regarding the Commission's efforts to improve ownership diversity. I appreciate your support and collaboration as the Commission begins to address these issues. Building on Commissioner Clyburn's initiative on foreign investment to open new sources of capital, and coupled with our recent action on Joint Sales Agreements that will stop circumvention of our ownership rules, we hope to continue to create additional opportunities for diversity of ownership. Our statutory goals of promoting competition, diversity, and localism will be our guide as we work to complete our statutory directives under Section 257 of the Communications Act, as well as begin our 2014 Quadrennial Review, which includes a Further Notice on the diversity issues remanded to the Commission by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. As you note, what we know for sure is that minority and female ownership statistics are low. We also know that the Commission currently lacks the kind of data necessary to adopt race- or gender-based rules that could withstand the strict or heightened scrutiny judicial review that would apply to such measures. For our part, in recent years the Commission has sought to improve its collection and analysis of broadcast ownership information, and make that data available to others for additional analysis and study. We will continue to refine and improve our data collection efforts in this area to help advance our underlying goals. In addition, we have tentatively concluded in the Further Notice adopted recently that reinstating the revenue-based eligible entity definition remanded by the Third Circuit will increase ownership opportunities for new entrants. We are seeking public input on that and other proposals commenters put before the Commission. I have pledged to establish a special team within the Commission to have recommendations regarding the 2014 Quadrennial Review to the full Commission by June 30, 2016. A necessary and essential part of the team's charter will include our shared goal of improving diversity. I look forward to working with you as we move forward on these important topics. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Ben Ray Lujan U.S. House of Representatives 2446 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Lujan: May 1, 2014 Thank you for your letter regarding the Commission's efforts to improve ownership diversity. I appreciate your support and collaboration as the Commission begins to address these issues. Building on Commissioner Clyburn's initiative on foreign investment to open new sources of capital, and coupled with our recent action on Joint Sales Agreements that will stop circumvention of our ownership rules, we hope to continue to create additional opportunities for diversity of ownership. Our statutory goals of promoting competition, diversity, and localism will be our guide as we work to complete our statutory directives under Section 257 of the Communications Act, as well as begin our 2014 Quadrennial Review, which includes a Further Notice on the diversity issues remanded to the Commission by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. As you note, what we know for sure is that minority and female ownership statistics are low. We also know that the Commission currently lacks the kind of data necessary to adopt race- or gender-based rules that could withstand the strict or heightened scrutiny judicial review that would apply to such measures. For our part, in recent years the Commission has sought to improve its collection and analysis of broadcast ownership information, and make that data available to others for additional analysis and study. We will continue to refine and improve our data collection efforts in this area to help advance our underlying goals. In addition, we have tentatively concluded in the Further Notice adopted recently that reinstating the revenue-based eligible entity definition remanded by the Third Circuit will increase ownership opportunities for new entrants. We are seeking public input on that and other proposals commenters put before the Commission. I have pledged to establish a special team within the Commission to have recommendations regarding the 2014 Quadrennial Review to the full Commission by June 30, 2016. A necessary and essential part of the team's charter will include our shared goal of improving diversity. I look forward to working with you as we move forward on these important topics. ~incerely,it ~ r/:?;heeler FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Anna G. Eshoo U.S. House ofRepresentatives 241 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congresswoman Eshoo: May 1, 2014 Thank you for your letter regarding the Commission' s efforts to improve ownership diversity. I appreciate your support and collaboration as the Commission begins to address these ISSUeS. Building on Commissioner Clyburn's initiative on foreign investment to open new sources of capital , and coupled with our recent action on Joint Sales Agreements that will stop circumvention of our ownership rules, we hope to continue to create additional opportunities for diversity of ownership. Our statutory goals of promoting competition, diversity, and localism will be our guide as we work to complete our statutory directives under Section 257 of the Communications Act, as well as begin our 2014 Quadrennial Review, which includes a Further Notice on the diversity issues remanded to the Commission by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. As you note, what we know for sure is that minority and female ownership statistics are low. We also know that the Commission currently lacks the kind of data necessary to adopt race- or gender-based rules that could withstand the strict or heightened scrutiny judicial review that would apply to such measures . For our part, in recent years the Commission has sought to improve its collection and analysis of broadcast ownership information, and make that data available to others for additional analysis and study. We will continue to refine and improve our data collection efforts in this area to help advance our underlying goals. In addition, we have tentatively concluded in the Further Notice adopted recently that reinstating the revenue-based eligible entity definition remanded by the Third Circuit will increase ownership opportunities for new entrants. We are seeking public input on that and other proposals commenters put before the Commission. I have pledged to establish a special team within the Commission to have recommendations regarding the 2014 Quadrennial Review to the full Commission by June 30, 2016. A necessary and essential part of the team' s charter will include our shared goal of improving diversity. I look forward to working with you as we move forward on these important topics. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Mike Doyle U.S. House ofRepresentatives 239 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Doyle: May 1, 2014 Thank you for your letter regarding the Commission' s efforts to improve ownership diversity. I appreciate your support and collaboration as the Commission begins to address these ISSUeS . Building on Commissioner Clyburn' s initiative on foreign investment to open new sources of capital, and coupled with our recent action on Joint Sales Agreements that will stop circumvention of our ownership rules, we hope to continue to create additional opportunities for diversity of ownership. Our statutory goals of promoting competition, diversity, and localism will be our guide as we work to complete our statutory directives under Section 257 of the Communications Act, as well as begin our 2014 Quadrennial Review, which includes a Further Notice on the diversity issues remanded to the Commission by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. As you note, what we know for sure is that minority and female ownership statistics are low. We also know that the Commission currently lacks the kind of data necessary to adopt race- or gender-based rules that could withstand the strict or heightened scrutiny judicial review that would apply to such measures. For our part, in recent years the Commission has sought to improve its collection and analysis of broadcast ownership information, and make that data available to others for additional analysis and study. We will continue to refine and improve our data collection efforts in this area to help advance our underlying goals. In addition, we have tentatively concluded in the Further Notice adopted recently that reinstating the revenue-based eligible entity definition remanded by the Third Circuit will increase ownership opportunities for new entrants. We are seeking public input on that and other proposals commenters put before the Commission. I have pledged to establish a special team within the Commission to have recommendations regarding the 2014 Quadrennial Review to the full Commission by June 30, 2016. A necessary and essential part of the team' s charter will include our shared goal of improving diversity. I look forward to working with you as we move forward on these important topics. ~ Tom Wheeler FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable John D. Dingell U.S. House of Representatives 2328 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Dingell: May 1, 2014 Thank you for your letter regarding the Commission's efforts to improve ownership diversity. I appreciate your support and collaboration as the Commission begins to address these issues. Building on Commissioner Clyburn's initiative on foreign investment to open new sources of capital, and coupled with our recent action on Joint Sales Agreements that will stop circumvention of our ownership rules, we hope to continue to create additional opportunities for diversity of ownership. Our statutory goals of promoting competition, diversity, and localism will be our guide as we work to complete our statutory directives under Section 257 of the Communications Act, as well as begin our 2014 Quadrennial Review, which includes a Further Notice on the diversity issues remanded to the Commission by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. As you note, what we know for sure is that minority and female ownership statistics are low. We also know that the Commission currently lacks the kind of data necessary to adopt race- or gender-based rules that could withstand the strict or heightened scrutiny judicial review that would apply to such measures. For our part, in recent years the Commission has sought to improve its collection and analysis of broadcast ownership information, and make that data available to others for additional analysis and study. We will continue to refine and improve our data collection efforts in this area to help advance our underlying goals. In addition, we have tentatively concluded in the Further Notice adopted recently that reinstating the revenue-based eligible entity definition remanded by the Third Circuit will increase ownership opportunities for new entrants. We are seeking public input on that and other proposals commenters put before the Commission. I have pledged to establish a special team within the Commission to have recommendations regarding the 2014 Quadrennial Review to the full Commission by June 30, 2016. A necessary and essential part of the team's charter will include our shared goal of improving diversity. I look forward to working with you as we move forward on these important topics. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Donna M. Christensen U.S. House ofRepresentatives 1510 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congresswoman Christensen: May 1, 2014 Thank you for your letter regarding the Commission' s efforts to improve ownership diversity. I appreciate your support and collaboration as the Commission begins to address these issues. Building on Commissioner Clyburn ' s initiative on foreign investment to open new sources of capital, and coupled with our recent action on Joint Sales Agreements that will stop circumvention of our ownership rules, we hope to continue to create additional opportunities for diversity of ownership. Our statutory goals of promoting competition, diversity, and localism will be our guide as we work to complete our statutory directives under Section 257 of the Communications Act, as well as begin our 2014 Quadrennial Review, which includes a Further Notice on the diversity issues remanded to the Commission by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. As you note, what we know for sure is that minority and female ownership statistics are low. We also know that the Commission currently lacks the kind of data necessary to adopt race- or gender-based rules that could withstand the strict or heightened scrutiny judicial review that would apply to such measures. For our part, in recent years the Commission has sought to improve its collection and analysis of broadcast ownership information, and make that data available to others for additional analysis and study. We will continue to refine and improve our data collection efforts in this area to help advance our underlying goals. In addition, we have tentatively concluded in the Further Notice adopted recently that reinstating the revenue-based eligible entity definition remanded by the Third Circuit will increase ownership opportunities for new entrants. We are seeking public input on that and other proposals commenters put before the Commission. I have pledged to establish a special team within the Commission to have recommendations regarding the 2014 Quadrennial Review to the full Commission by June 30, 2016. A necessary and essential part of the team ' s charter will include our shared goal of improving diversity. I look forward to working with you as we move forward on these important topics. Tom Wheeler FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF T HE C H A IRM A N The Honorable G.K. Butterfield U.S. House ofRepresentatives 2305 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Butterfield: May 1, 2014 Thank you for your letter regarding the Commission's efforts to improve ownership diversity. I appreciate your support and collaboration as the Commission begins to address these issues. Building on Commissioner Clyburn ' s initiative on foreign investment to open new sources of capital, and coupled with our recent action on Joint Sales Agreements that will stop circumvention of our ownership rules, we hope to continue to create additional opportunities for diversity of ownership. Our statutory goals of promoting competition, diversity, and localism will be our guide as we work to complete our statutory directives under Section 257 of the Communications Act, as well as begin our 2014 Quadrennial Review, which includes a Further Notice on the diversity issues remanded to the Commission by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. As you note, what we know for sure is that minority and female ownership statistics are low. We also know that the Commission currently lacks the kind of data necessary to adopt race- or gender-based rules that could withstand the strict or heightened scrutiny judicial review that would apply to such measures. For our part, in recent years the Commission has sought to improve its collection and analysis of broadcast ownership information, and make that data available to others for additional analysis and study. We will continue to refine and improve our data collection efforts in this area to help advance our underlying goals. In addition, we have tentatively concluded in the Further Notice adopted recently that reinstating the revenue-based eligible entity definition remanded by the Third Circuit will increase ownership opportunities for new entrants. We are seeking public input on that and other proposals commenters put before the Commission. I have pledged to establish a special team within the Commission to have recommendations regarding the 2014 Quadrennial Review to the full Commission by June 30, 2016. A necessary and essential part of the team's charter will include our shared goal of improving diversity. I look forward to working with you as we move forward on these important topics. ?1~~~- Tom Wheeler FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Henry A. Waxman U.S. House ofRepresentatives 2204 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Waxman: May 1, 2014 Thank you for your letter regarding the Commission's efforts to improve ownership diversity. I appreciate your support and collaboration as the Commission begins to address these ISSUeS . Building on Commissioner Clyburn's initiative on foreign investment to open new sources of capital, and coupled with our recent action on Joint Sales Agreements that will stop circumvention of our ownership rules, we hope to continue to create additional opportunities for diversity of ownership. Our statutory goals of promoting competition, diversity, and localism will be our guide as we work to complete our statutory directives under Section 257 of the Communications Act, as well as begin our 2014 Quadrennial Review, which includes a Further Notice on the diversity issues remanded to the Commission by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. As you note, what we know for sure is that minority and female ownership statistics are low. We also know that the Commission currently lacks the kind of data necessary to adopt race- or gender-based rules that could withstand the strict or heightened scrutiny judicial review that would apply to such measures. For our part, in recent years the Commission has sought to improve its collection and analysis of broadcast ownership information, and make that data available to others for additional analysis and study. We will continue to refine and improve our data collection efforts in this area to help advance our underlying goals. In addition, we have tentatively concluded in the Further Notice adopted recently that reinstating the revenue-based eligible entity definition remanded by the Third Circuit will increase ownership opportunities for new entrants. We are seeking public input on that and other proposals commenters put before the Commission. I have pledged to establish a special team within the Commission to have recommendations regarding the 2014 Quadrennial Review to the full Commission by June 30, 2016. A necessary and essential part of the team's charter will include our shared goal of improving diversity. I look forward to working with you as we move forward on these important topics. Tom Wheeler FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Bobby L. Rush U.S. House ofRepresentatives 2268 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Rush: May 1, 2014 Thank you for your letter regarding the Commission's efforts to improve ownership diversity. I appreciate your support and collaboration as the Commission begins to address these ISSUeS. Building on Commissioner Clyburn's initiative on foreign investment to open new sources of capital, and coupled with our recent action on Joint Sales Agreements that will stop circumvention of our ownership rules, we hope to continue to create additional opportunities for diversity of ownership. Our statutory goals of promoting competition, diversity, and localism will be our guide as we work to complete our statutory directives under Section 257 of the Communications Act, as well as begin our 2014 Quadrennial Review, which includes a Further Notice on the diversity issues remanded to the Commission by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. As you note, what we know for sure is that minority and female ownership statistics are low. We also know that the Commission currently lacks the kind of data necessary to adopt race- or gender-based rules that could withstand the strict or heightened scrutiny judicial review that would apply to such measures. For our part, in recent years the Commission has sought to improve its collection and analysis of broadcast ownership information, and make that data available to others for additional analysis and study. We will continue to refine and improve our data collection efforts in this area to help advance our underlying goals. In addition, we have tentatively concluded in the Further Notice adopted recently that reinstating the revenue-based eligible entity definition remanded by the Third Circuit will increase ownership opportunities for new entrants. We are seeking public input on that and other proposals commenters put before the Commission. I have pledged to establish a special team within the Commission to have recommendations regarding the 2014 Quadrennial Review to the full Commission by June 30, 2016. A necessary and essential part of the team' s charter will include our shared goal of improving diversity. I look forward to working with you as we move forward on these important topics. Sincerely,