OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASH INGTON March 10, 2016 The Honorable C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger U.S. House of Representatives 2416 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Ruppersberger: Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to ensure the full disclosure of sponsors of political advertisements. Your views are very important, and I appreciate your sharing them with me. As your letter indicates, the current definition of "editorial control" is the sponsoring organization. The Commission has yet to conduct a proceeding to review the definition. I understand you believe we should conduct such a proceeding, and I respect your suggestion. Since becoming Chairman of the Commission, I have focused on expanding the public's access to information about political advertising. For example, by broadening the universe of entities required to disclose the sponsoring organization of political advertising in the Commission's online public inspection file database. As of July 2014, television broadcasters are required to identify an advertisement's sponsor. Further, on January 28, 2016, the Commission adopted rules to expand the online file requirements to include cable operators, satellite TV providers, broadcast radio licensees, and satellite radio licensees. These new rules expand the reporting under the current "editorial control" definition and will shine more sunlight on political and issue advertising. I appreciate fully that you believe the Commission should go farther. Thank you for sharing your views with us. The fact that 170 members of congress is a significant statement, the significance of which is not lost. Tom Wheeler OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASH INGTON March 10, 2016 The Honorable Raul Ruiz U.S. House of Representatives 1319 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Ruiz: Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to ensure the full disclosure of sponsors of political advertisements. Your views are very important, and I appreciate your sharing them with me. As your letter indicates, the current definition of "editorial control" is the sponsoring organization. The Commission has yet to conduct a proceeding to review the definition. I understand you believe we should conduct such a proceeding, and I respect your suggestion. Since becoming Chairman of the Commission, I have focused on expanding the public's access to information about political advertising. For example, by broadening the universe of entities required to disclose the sponsoring organization of political advertising in the Commission's online public inspection file database. As of July 2014, television broadcasters are required to identify an advertisement's sponsor. Further, on January 28, 2016, the Commission adopted rules to expand the online file requirements to include cable operators, satellite TV providers, broadcast radio licensees, and satellite radio licensees. These new rules expand the reporting under the current "editorial control" definition and will shine more sunlight on political and issue advertising. I appreciate fully that you believe the Commission should go farther. Thank you for sharing your views with us. The fact that 170 members of congress is a significant statement, the significance of which is not lost. Tom Wheeler OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISS!ON WASHINGTON March 10, 2016 The Honorable Lucille Roybal-Allard U.S. House of Representatives 2330 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congresswoman Roybal-Allard: Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to ensure the full disclosure of sponsors of political advertisements. Your views are very important, and I appreciate your sharing them with me. As your letter indicates, the current definition of "editorial control" is the sponsoring organization. The Commission has yet to conduct a proceeding to review the definition. I understand you believe we should conduct such a proceeding, and I respect your suggestion. Since becoming Chairman of the Commission, I have focused on expanding the public's access to information about political advertising. For example, by broadening the universe of entities required to disclose the sponsoring organization of political advertising in the Commission's online public inspection file database. As of July 2014, television broadcasters are required to identify an advertisement's sponsor. Further, on January 28, 2016, the Commission adopted rules to expand the online file requirements to include cable operators, satellite TV providers, broadcast radio licensees, and satellite radio licensees. These new rules expand the reporting under the current "editorial control" definition and will shine more sunlight on political and issue advertising. I appreciate fully that you believe the Commission should go farther. Thank you for sharing your views with us. The fact that 170 members of congress is a significant statement, the significance of which is not lost. Tom Wheeler OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON March 10, 2016 The Honorable David E. Price U.S. House of Representatives 2108 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Price: Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to ensure the full disclosure of sponsors of political advertisements. Your views are very important, and I appreciate your sharing them with me. As your letter indicates, the current definition of "editorial control" is the sponsoring organization. The Commission has yet to conduct a proceeding to review the definition. I understand you believe we should conduct such a proceeding, and I respect your suggestion. Since becoming Chairman of the Commission, I have focused on expanding the public's access to information about political advertising. For example, by broadening the universe of entities required to disclose the sponsoring organization of political advertising in the Commission's online public inspection file database. As of July 2014, television broadcasters are required to identify an advertisement's sponsor. Further, on January 28, 2016, the Commission adopted rules to expand the online file requirements to include cable operators, satellite TV providers, broadcast radio licensees, and satellite radio licensees. These new rules expand the reporting under the current "editorial control" definition and will shine more sunlight on political and issue advertising. I appreciate fully that you believe the Commission should go farther. Thank you for sharing your views with us. The fact that 170 members of congress is a significant statement, the significance of which is not lost. Tom Wheeler OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON March 10, 2016 The Honorable Jared Polis U.S. House of Representatives 1433 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Polis: Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to ensure the full disclosure of sponsors of political advertisements. Your views are very important, and I appreciate your sharing them with me. As your letter indicates, the current definition of "editorial control" is the sponsoring organization. The Commission has yet to conduct a proceeding to review the definition. I understand you believe we should conduct such a proceeding, and I respect your suggestion. Since becoming Chairman of the Commission, I have focused on expanding the public's access to information about political advertising. For example, by broadening the universe of entities required to disclose the sponsoring organization of political advertising in the Commission's online public inspection file database. As of July 2014, television broadcasters are required to identify an advertisement's sponsor. Further, on January 28, 2016, the Commission adopted rules to expand the online file requirements to include cable operators, satellite TV providers, broadcast radio licensees, and satellite radio licensees. These new rules expand the reporting under the current "editorial control" definition and will shine more sunlight on political and issue advertising. I appreciate fully that you believe the Commission should go farther. Thank you for sharing your views with us. The fact that 170 members of congress is a significant statement, the significance of which is not lost. Tom Wheeler OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN FEDERAL COMMUN!CATJONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON March 10, 2016 The Honorable Mark Pocan U.S. House of Representatives 313 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Pocan: Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to ensure the full disclosure of sponsors of political advertisements. Your views are very important, and I appreciate your sharing them with me. As your letter indicates, the current definition of "editorial control" is the sponsoring organization. The Commission has yet to conduct a proceeding to review the definition. I understand you believe we should conduct such a proceeding, and I respect your suggestion. Since becoming Chairman of the Conm-iission, I have focused on expanding the public's access to information about political advertising. For example, by broadening the universe of entities required to disclose the sponsoring organization of political advertising in the Commission's online public inspection file database. As of July 2014, television broadcasters are required to identify an advertisement's sponsor. Further, on January 28, 2016, the Commission adopted rules to expand the online file requirements to include cable operators, satellite TV providers, broadcast radio licensees, and satellite radio licensees. These new rules expand the reporting under the current "editorial control" definition and will shine more sunlight on political and issue advertising. I appreciate fully that you believe the Commission should go farther. Thank you for sharing your views with us. The fact that 170 members of congress is a significant statement, the significance of which is not lost. Tom Wheeler OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMIsSIoN WASH INGTON March 10, 2016 The Honorable Chellie Pingree U.S. House of Representatives 2162 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congresswoman Pingree: Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to ensure the full disclosure of sponsors of political advertisements. Your views are very important, and I appreciate your sharing them with me. As your letter indicates, the current definition of "editorial control" is the sponsoring organization. The Commission has yet to conduct a proceeding to review the definition. I understand you believe we should conduct such a proceeding, and I respect your suggestion. Since becoming Chairman of the Commission, I have focused on expanding the public's access to information about political advertising. For example, by broadening the universe of entities required to disclose the sponsoring organization of political advertising in the Commission's online public inspection file database. As of July 2014, television broadcasters are required to identify an advertisement's sponsor. Further, on January 28, 2016, the Commission adopted rules to expand the online file requirements to include cable operators, satellite TV providers, broadcast radio licensees, and satellite radio licensees. These new rules expand the reporting under the current "editorial control" definition and will shine more sunlight on political and issue advertising. I appreciate fully that you believe the Commission should go farther. Thank you for sharing your views with us. The fact that 170 members of congress is a significant statement, the significance of which is not lost. Tom Wheeler / OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASH I NGTON March 10, 2016 The Honorable Cedric L. Richmond U.S. House of Representatives 240 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Richmond: Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to ensure the full disclosure of sponsors of political advertisements. Your views are very important, and I appreciate your sharing them with me. As your letter indicates, the current definition of "editorial control" is the sponsoring organization. The Commission has yet to conduct a proceeding to review the definition. I understand you believe we should conduct such a proceeding, and I respect your suggestion. Since becoming Chairman of the Commission, I have focused on expanding the public's access to information about political advertising. For example, by broadening the universe of entities required to disclose the sponsoring organization of political advertising in the Commission's online public inspection file database. As of July 2014, television broadcasters are required to identify an advertisement's sponsor. Further, on January 28, 2016, the Commission adopted rules to expand the online file requirements to include cable operators, satellite TV providers, broadcast radio licensees, and satellite radio licensees. These new rules expand the reporting under the current "editorial control" definition and will shine more sunlight on political and issue advertising. I appreciate fully that you believe the Commission should go farther. Thank you for sharing your views with us. The fact that 170 members of congress is a significant statement, the significance of which is not lost. Tom Wheeler OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASH INGTON March 10, 2016 The Honorable Kathleen Rice U.S. House of Representatives 1508 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congresswoman Rice: Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to ensure the full disclosure of sponsors of political advertisements. Your views are very important, and I appreciate your sharing them with me. As your letter indicates, the current definition of "editorial control" is the sponsoring organization. The Commission has yet to conduct a proceeding to review the definition. I understand you believe we should conduct such a proceeding, and I respect your suggestion. Since becoming Chairman of the Commission, I have focused on expanding the public's access to information about political advertising. For example, by broadening the universe of entities required to disclose the sponsoring organization of political advertising in the Commission's online public inspection file database. As of July 2014, television broadcasters are required to identify an advertisement's sponsor. Further, on January 28, 2016, the Commission adopted rules to expand the online file requirements to include cable operators, satellite TV providers, broadcast radio licensees, and satellite radio licensees. These new rules expand the reporting under the current "editorial control" definition and will shine more sunlight on political and issue advertising. I appreciate fully that you believe the Commission should go farther. Thank you for sharing your views with us. The fact that 170 members of congress is a significant statement, the significance of which is not lost. Tom Wheeler OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON March 10, 2016 The Honorable Charles B. Rangel U.S. House of Representatives 2354 Raybum House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Rangel: Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to ensure the full disclosure of sponsors of political advertisements. Your views are very important, and I appreciate your sharing them with me. As your letter indicates, the current definition of "editorial control" is the sponsoring organization. The Commission has yet to conduct a proceeding to review the definition. I understand you believe we should conduct such a proceeding, and I respect your suggestion. Since becoming Chairman of the Commission, I have focused on expanding the public's access to information about political advertising. For example, by broadening the universe of entities required to disclose the sponsoring organization of political advertising in the Commission's online public inspection file database. As of July 2014, television broadcasters are required to identify an advertisement's sponsor. Further, on January 28, 2016, the Commission adopted rules to expand the online file requirements to include cable operators, satellite TV providers, broadcast radio licensees, and satellite radio licensees. These new rules expand the reporting under the current "editorial control" definition and will shine more sunlight on political and issue advertising. I appreciate fully that you believe the Commission should go farther. Thank you for sharing your views with us. The fact that 170 members of congress is a significant statement, the significance of which is not lost. Tom Wheeler OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON March 10, 2016 The Honorable Mike Quigley U.S. House of Representatives 2458 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Quigley: Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to ensure the full disclosure of sponsors of political advertisements. Your views are very important, and I appreciate your sharing them with me. As your letter indicates, the current definition of "editorial control" is the sponsoring organization. The Commission has yet to conduct a proceeding to review the definition. I understand you believe we should conduct such a proceeding, and I respect your suggestion. Since becoming Chairman of the Commission, I have focused on expanding the public's access to information about political advertising. For example, by broadening the universe of entities required to disclose the sponsoring organization of political advertising in the Commission's online public inspection file database. As of July 2014, television broadcasters are required to identify an advertisement's sponsor. Further, on January 28, 2016, the Commission adopted rules to expand the online file requirements to include cable operators, satellite TV providers, broadcast radio licensees, and satellite radio licensees. These new rules expand the reporting under the current "editorial control" definition and will shine more sunlight on political and issue advertising. I appreciate fully that you believe the Commission should go farther. Thank you for sharing your views with us. The fact that 170 members of congress is a significant statement, the significance of which is not lost. Tom Wheeler OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASH INGTON March 10, 2016 The Honorable Collin C. Peterson U.S. House of Representatives 2204 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Peterson: Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to ensure the full disclosure of sponsors of political advertisements. Your views are very important, and I appreciate your sharing them with me. As your letter indicates, the current definition of "editorial control" is the sponsoring organization. The Commission has yet to conduct a proceeding to review the definition. I understand you believe we should conduct such a proceeding, and I respect your suggestion. Since becoming Chairman of the Commission, I have focused on expanding the public's access to information about political advertising. For example, by broadening the universe of entities required to disclose the sponsoring organization of political advertising in the Commission's online public inspection file database. As of July 2014, television broadcasters are required to identify an advertisement's sponsor. Further, on January 28, 2016, the Commission adopted rules to expand the online file requirements to include cable operators, satellite TV providers, broadcast radio licensees, and satellite radio licensees. These new rules expand the reporting under the current "editorial control" definition and will shine more sunlight on political and issue advertising. I appreciate fully that you believe the Commission should go farther. Thank you for sharing your views with us. The fact that 170 members of congress is a significant statement, the significance of which is not lost. Tom Wheeler OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASH I NGTON March 10, 2016 The Honorable Scott Peters U.S. House of Representatives 1122 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Peters: Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to ensure the full disclosure of sponsors of political advertisements. Your views are very important, and I appreciate your sharing them with me. As your letter indicates, the current definition of "editorial control" is the sponsoring organization. The Commission has yet to conduct a proceeding to review the definition. I understand you believe we should conduct such a proceeding, and I respect your suggestion. Since becoming Chairman of the Commission, I have focused on expanding the public's access to information about political advertising. For example, by broadening the universe of entities required to disclose the sponsoring organization of political advertising in the Commission's online public inspection file database. As of July 2014, television broadcasters are required to identify an advertisement's sponsor. Further, on January 28, 2016, the Commission adopted rules to expand the online file requirements to include cable operators, satellite TV providers, broadcast radio licensees, and satellite radio licensees. These new rules expand the reporting under the current "editorial control" definition and will shine more sunlight on political and issue advertising. I appreciate fully that you believe the Commission should go farther. Thank you for sharing your views with us. The fact that 170 members of congress is a significant statement, the significance of which is not lost. Tom Wheeler OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON March 10, 2016 The Honorable Ed Perimutter U.S. House of Representatives 1410 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Perimutter: Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to ensure the full disclosure of sponsors of political advertisements. Your views are very important, and I appreciate your sharing them with me. As your letter indicates, the current definition of "editorial control" is the sponsoring organization. The Commission has yet to conduct a proceeding to review the definition. I understand you believe we should conduct such a proceeding, and I respect your suggestion. Since becoming Chairman of the Commission, I have focused on expanding the public's access to information about political advertising. For example, by broadening the universe of entities required to disclose the sponsoring organization of political advertising in the Commission's online public inspection file database. As of July 2014, television broadcasters are required to identify an advertisement's sponsor. Further, on January 28, 2016, the Commission adopted rules to expand the online file requirements to include cable operators, satellite TV providers, broadcast radio licensees, and satellite radio licensees. These new rules expand the reporting under the current "editorial control" definition and will shine more sunlight on political and issue advertising. I appreciate fully that you believe the Commission should go farther. Thank you for sharing your views with us. The fact that 170 members of congress is a significant statement, the significance of which is not lost. Tom Wheeler OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN FEDERAL COMMUNTCATIONS COMMISSION WASH INGTON March 10, 2016 The Honorable Donald M. Payne U.S. House of Representatives 103 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Payne: Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to ensure the full disclosure of sponsors of political advertisements. Your views are very important, and I appreciate your sharing them with me. As your letter indicates, the current definition of "editorial control" is the sponsoring organization. The Commission has yet to conduct a proceeding to review the definition. I understand you believe we should conduct such a proceeding, and I respect your suggestion. Since becoming Chairman of the Commission, I have focused on expanding the public's access to information about political advertising. For example, by broadening the universe of entities required to disclose the sponsoring organization of political advertising in the Commission's online public inspection file database. As of July 2014, television broadcasters are required to identify an advertisement's sponsor. Further, on January 28, 2016, the Commission adopted rules to expand the online file requirements to include cable operators, satellite TV providers, broadcast radio licensees, and satellite radio licensees. These new rules expand the reporting under the current "editorial control" definition and will shine more sunlight on political and issue advertising. I appreciate fully that you believe the Commission should go farther. Thank you for sharing your views with us. The fact that 170 members of congress is a significant statement, the significance of which is not lost. Tom Wheeler OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON March 10, 2016 The Honorable Bill Pascrell U.S. House of Representatives 2370 Raybum House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Pascrell: Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to ensure the full disclosure of sponsors of political advertisements. Your views are very important, and I appreciate your sharing them with me. As your letter indicates, the current definition of "editorial control" is the sponsoring organization. The Commission has yet to conduct a proceeding to review the definition. I understand you believe we should conduct such a proceeding, and I respect your suggestion. Since becoming Chairman of the Commission, I have focused on expanding the public's access to information about political advertising. For example, by broadening the universe of entities required to disclose the sponsoring organization of political advertising in the Commission's online public inspection file database. As of July 2014, television broadcasters are required to identify an advertisement's sponsor. Further, on January 28, 2016, the Commission adopted rules to expand the online file requirements to include cable operators, satellite TV providers, broadcast radio licensees, and satellite radio licensees. These new rules expand the reporting under the current "editorial control" definition and will shine more sunlight on political and issue advertising. I appreciate fully that you believe the Commission should go farther. Thank you for sharing your views with us. The fact that 170 members of congress is a significant statement, the significance of which is not lost. Tom Wheeler OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMIssIoN WASHINGTON March 10, 2016 The Honorable Frank Pallone U.S. House of Representatives 237 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Pallone: Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to ensure the full disclosure of sponsors of political advertisements. Your views are very important, and I appreciate your sharing them with me. As your letter indicates, the current definition of "editorial control" is the sponsoring organization. The Commission has yet to conduct a proceeding to review the definition. I understand you believe we should conduct such a proceeding, and I respect your suggestion. Since becoming Chairman of the Commission, I have focused on expanding the public's access to information about political advertising. For example, by broadening the universe of entities required to disclose the sponsoring organization of political advertising in the Commission's online public inspection file database. As of July 2014, television broadcasters are required to identify an advertisement's sponsor. Further, on January 28, 2016, the Commission adopted rules to expand the online file requirements to include cable operators, satellite TV providers, broadcast radio licensees, and satellite radio licensees. These new rules expand the reporting under the current "editorial control" definition and will shine more sunlight on political and issue advertising. I appreciate fully that you believe the Commission should go farther. Thank you for sharing your views with us. The fact that 170 members of congress is a significant statement, the significance of which is not lost. Tom Wheeler OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASH I NGTON March 10, 2016 The Honorable Beto O'Rourke U.S. House of Representatives 1330 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman O'Rourke: Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to ensure the full disclosure of sponsors of political advertisements. Your views are very important, and I appreciate your sharing them with me. As your letter indicates, the current definition of "editorial control" is the sponsoring organization. The Commission has yet to conduct a proceeding to review the definition. I understand you believe we should conduct such a proceeding, and I respect your suggestion. Since becoming Chairman of the Commission, I have focused on expanding the public's access to information about political advertising. For example, by broadening the universe of entities required to disclose the sponsoring organization of political advertising in the Commission's online public inspection file database. As of July 2014, television broadcasters are required to identify an advertisement's sponsor. Further, on January 28, 2016, the Commission adopted rules to expand the online file requirements to include cable operators, satellite TV providers, broadcast radio licensees, and satellite radio licensees. These new rules expand the reporting under the current "editorial control" definition and will shine more sunlight on political and issue advertising. I appreciate fully that you believe the Commission should go farther. Thank you for sharing your views with us. The fact that 170 members of congress is a significant statement, the significance of which is not lost. Tom Wheeler OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON March 10, 2016 The Honorable Donald Norcross U.S. House of Representatives 1531 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Norcross: Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to ensure the full disclosure of sponsors of political advertisements. Your views are very important, and I appreciate your sharing them with me. As your letter indicates, the current definition of "editorial control" is the sponsoring organization. The Commission has yet to conduct a proceeding to review the definition. I understand you believe we should conduct such a proceeding, and I respect your suggestion. Since becoming Chairman of the Commission, I have focused on expanding the public's access to information about political advertising. For example, by broadening the universe of entities required to disclose the sponsoring organization of political advertising in the Commission's online public inspection file database. As of July 2014, television broadcasters are required to identify an advertisement's sponsor. Further, on January 28, 2016, the Commission adopted rules to expand the online file requirements to include cable operators, satellite TV providers, broadcast radio licensees, and satellite radio licensees. These new rules expand the reporting under the current "editorial control" definition and will shine more sunlight on political and issue advertising. I appreciate fully that you believe the Commission should go farther. Thank you for sharing your views with us. The fact that 170 members of congress is a significant statement, the significance of which is not lost. Tom Wheeler OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON March 10, 2016 The Honorable Rick Nolan U.S. House of Representatives 2366 Raybum House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Nolan: Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to ensure the full disclosure of sponsors of political advertisements. Your views are very important, and I appreciate your sharing them with me. As your letter indicates, the current definition of "editorial control" is the sponsoring organization. The Commission has yet to conduct a proceeding to review the definition. I understand you believe we should conduct such a proceeding, and I respect your suggestion. Since becoming Chairman of the Commission, I have focused on expanding the public's access to information about political advertising. For example, by broadening the universe of entities required to disclose the sponsoring organization of political advertising in the Commission's online public inspection file database. As of July 2014, television broadcasters are required to identify an advertisement's sponsor. Further, on January 28, 2016, the Commission adopted rules to expand the online file requirements to include cable operators, satellite TV providers, broadcast radio licensees, and satellite radio licensees. These new rules expand the reporting under the current "editorial control" definition and will shine more sunlight on political and issue advertising. I appreciate fully that you believe the Commission should go farther. Thank you for sharing your views with us. The fact that 170 members of congress is a significant statement, the significance of which is not lost. Tom Wheeler OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON March 10, 2016 The Honorable Richard E. Neal U.S. House of Representatives 341 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Neal: Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to ensure the full disclosure of sponsors of political advertisements. Your views are very important, and I appreciate your sharing them with me. As your letter indicates, the current definition of "editorial control" is the sponsoring organization. The Commission has yet to conduct a proceeding to review the definition. I understand you believe we should conduct such a proceeding, and I respect your suggestion. Since becoming Chairman of the Commission, I have focused on expanding the public's access to information about political advertising. For example, by broadening the universe of entities required to disclose the sponsoring organization of political advertising in the Commission's online public inspection file database. As of July 2014, television broadcasters are required to identify an advertisement's sponsor. Further, on January 28, 2016, the Commission adopted rules to expand the online file requirements to include cable operators, satellite TV providers, broadcast radio licensees, and satellite radio licensees. These new rules expand the reporting under the current "editorial control" definition and will shine more sunlight on political and issue advertising. I appreciate fully that you believe the Commission should go farther. Thank you for sharing your views with us. The fact that 170 members of congress is a significant statement, the significance of which is not lost. Tom Wheeler OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON March 10, 2016 The Honorable Grace F. Napolitano U.S. House of Representatives 1610 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congresswoman Napolitano: Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to ensure the full disclosure of sponsors of political advertisements. Your views are very important, and I appreciate your sharing them with me. As your letter indicates, the current definition of "editorial control" is the sponsoring organization. The Commission has yet to conduct a proceeding to review the definition. I understand you believe we should conduct such a proceeding, and I respect your suggestion. Since becoming Chairman of the Commission, I have focused on expanding the public's access to information about political advertising. For example, by broadening the universe of entities required to disclose the sponsoring organization of political advertising in the Commission's online public inspection file database. As of July 2014, television broadcasters are required to identify an advertisement's sponsor. Further, on January 28, 2016, the Commission adopted rules to expand the online file requirements to include cable operators, satellite TV providers, broadcast radio licensees, and satellite radio licensees. These new rules expand the reporting under the current "editorial control" definition and will shine more sunlight on political and issue advertising. I appreciate fully that you believe the Commission should go farther. Thank you for sharing your views with us. The fact that 170 members of congress is a significant statement, the significance of which is not lost. Tom Wheeler OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASH INGTON March 10, 2016 The Honorable Jerrold Nadler U.S. House of Representatives 2109 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Nadler: Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to ensure the full disclosure of sponsors of political advertisements. Your views are very important, and I appreciate your sharing them with me. As your letter indicates, the current definition of "editorial control" is the sponsoring organization. The Commission has yet to conduct a proceeding to review the definition. I understand you believe we should conduct such a proceeding, and I respect your suggestion. Since becoming Chairman of the Commission, I have focused on expanding the public's access to information about political advertising. For example, by broadening the universe of entities required to disclose the sponsoring organization of political advertising in the Commission's online public inspection file database. As of July 2014, television broadcasters are required to identify an advertisement's sponsor. Further, on January 28, 2016, the Commission adopted rules to expand the online file requirements to include cable operators, satellite TV providers, broadcast radio licensees, and satellite radio licensees. These new rules expand the reporting under the current "editorial control" definition and will shine more sunlight on political and issue advertising. I appreciate fully that you believe the Commission should go farther. Thank you for sharing your views with us. The fact that 170 members of congress is a significant statement, the significance of which is not lost. Tom Wheeler OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON March 10, 2016 The Honorable Patrick Murphy U.S. House of Representatives 211 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Murphy: Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to ensure the full disclosure of sponsors of political advertisements. Your views are very important, and I appreciate your sharing them with me. As your letter indicates, the current definition of "editorial control" is the sponsoring organization. The Commission has yet to conduct a proceeding to review the definition. I understand you believe we should conduct such a proceeding, and I respect your suggestion. Since becoming Chairman of the Commission, I have focused on expanding the public's access to information about political advertising. For example, by broadening the universe of entities required to disclose the sponsoring organization of political advertising in the Commission's online public inspection file database. As of July 2014, television broadcasters are required to identify an advertisement's sponsor. Further, on January 28, 2016, the Commission adopted rules to expand the online file requirements to include cable operators, satellite TV providers, broadcast radio licensees, and satellite radio licensees. These new rules expand the reporting under the current "editorial control" definition and will shine more sunlight on political and issue advertising. I appreciate fully that you believe the Commission should go farther. Thank you for sharing your views with us. The fact that 170 members of congress is a significant statement, the significance of which is not lost. Tom Wheeler OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASH INGTON March 10, 2016 The Honorable John Yarmuth U.S. House of Representatives 403 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Yarmuth: Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to ensure the full disclosure of sponsors of political advertisements. Your views are very important, and I appreciate your sharing them with me. As your letter indicates, the current definition of "editorial control" is the sponsoring organization. The Commission has yet to conduct a proceeding to review the definition. I understand you believe we should conduct such a proceeding, and I respect your suggestion. Since becoming Chairman of the Commission, I have focused on expanding the public's access to information about political advertising. For example, by broadening the universe of entities required to disclose the sponsoring organization of political advertising in the Commission's online public inspection file database. As of July 2014, television broadcasters are required to identify an advertisement's sponsor. Further, on January 28, 2016, the Commission adopted rules to expand the online file requirements to include cable operators, satellite TV providers, broadcast radio licensees, and satellite radio licensees. These new rules expand the reporting under the current "editorial control" definition and will shine more sunlight on political and issue advertising. I appreciate fully that you believe the Commission should go farther. Thank you for sharing your views with us. The fact that 170 members of congress is a significant statement, the significance of which is not lost. Tom Wheeler O F F I C E O F T H E C H A I R M A N F E D E R A L C O M M U N I C A T I O N S C O M M I S S I O N W A S H I N G T O N M a r c h 1 0 , 2 0 1 6 T h e H o n o r a b l e F r e d e r i c a S . W i l s o n U . S . H o u s e o f R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s 2 0 8 C a n n o n H o u s e O f f i c e B u i l d i n g W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . 2 0 5 1 5 D e a r C o n g r e s s w o m a n W i l s o n : T h a n k y o u f o r y o u r l e t t e r u r g i n g t h e C o m m i s s i o n t o e n s u r e t h e f u l l d i s c l o s u r e o f s p o n s o r s o f p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s e m e n t s . Y o u r v i e w s a r e v e r y i m p o r t a n t , a n d I a p p r e c i a t e y o u r s h a r i n g t h e m w i t h m e . A s y o u r l e t t e r i n d i c a t e s , t h e c u r r e n t d e f i n i t i o n o f ' e d i t o r i a l c o n t r o l " i s t h e s p o n s o r i n g o r g a n i z a t i o n . T h e C o m m i s s i o n h a s y e t t o c o n d u c t a p r o c e e d i n g t o r e v i e w t h e d e f i n i t i o n . I u n d e r s t a n d y o u b e l i e v e w e s h o u l d c o n d u c t s u c h a p r o c e e d i n g , a n d I r e s p e c t y o u r s u g g e s t i o n . S i n c e b e c o m i n g C h a i r m a n o f t h e C o m m i s s i o n , I h a v e f o c u s e d o n e x p a n d i n g t h e p u b l i c ' s a c c e s s t o i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s i n g . F o r e x a m p l e , b y b r o a d e n i n g t h e u n i v e r s e o f e n t i t i e s r e q u i r e d t o d i s c l o s e t h e s p o n s o r i n g o r g a n i z a t i o n o f p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s i n g i n t h eC o m m i s s i o n ' s o n l i n e p u b l i c i n s p e c t i o n f i l e d a t a b a s e . A s o f J u l y 2 0 1 4 , t e l e v i s i o n b r o a d c a s t e r s a r e r e q u i r e d t o i d e n t i f y a n a d v e r t i s e m e n t ' s s p o n s o r . F u r t h e r , o n J a n u a r y 2 8 , 2 0 1 6 , t h eC o m m i s s i o n a d o p t e d r u l e s t o e x p a n d t h e o n l i n e f i l e r e q u i r e m e n t s t o i n c l u d e c a b l e o p e r a t o r s , s a t e l l i t e T V p r o v i d e r s , b r o a d c a s t r a d i o l i c e n s e e s , a n d s a t e l l i t e r a d i o l i c e n s e e s . T h e s e n e w r u l e s e x p a n d t h e r e p o r t i n g u n d e r t h e c u r r e n t " e d i t o r i a l c o n t r o l " d e f i n i t i o n a n d w i l l s h i n e m o r e s u n l i g h t o n p o l i t i c a l a n d i s s u e a d v e r t i s i n g . I a p p r e c i a t e f u l l y t h a t y o u b e l i e v e t h eC o m m i s s i o n s h o u l d g o f a r t h e r . T h a n k y o u f o r s h a r i n g y o u r v i e w s w i t h u s . T h e f a c t t h a t 1 7 0 m e m b e r s o f c o n g r e s s i s a s i g n i f i c a n t s t a t e m e n t , t h e s i g n i f i c a n c e o f w h i c h i s n o t l o s t . T o m W h e e l e r OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHI NGTON March 10, 2016 The Honorable Peter Welch U.S. House of Representatives 2303 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Welch: Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to ensure the full disclosure of sponsors of political advertisements. Your views are very important, and I appreciate your sharing them with me. As your letter indicates, the current definition of "editorial control" is the sponsoring organization. The Commission has yet to conduct a proceeding to review the definition. I understand you believe we should conduct such a proceeding, and I respect your suggestion. Since becoming Chairman of the Commission, I have focused on expanding the public's access to information about political advertising. For example, by broadening the universe of entities required to disclose the sponsoring organization of political advertising in the Commission's online public inspection file database. As of July 2014, television broadcasters are required to identify an advertisement's sponsor. Further, on January 28, 2016, the Commission adopted rules to expand the online file requirements to include cable operators, satellite TV providers, broadcast radio licensees, and satellite radio licensees. These new rules expand the reporting under the current "editorial control" definition and will shine more sunlight on political and issue advertising. I appreciate fully that you believe the Commission should go farther. Thank you for sharing your views with us. The fact that 170 members of congress is a significant statement, the significance of which is not lost. Tom Wheeler FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASH INGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN March 10, 2016 The Honorable Bonnie Watson Coleman U.S. House of Representatives 126 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congresswoman Watson Coleman: Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to ensure the full disclosure of sponsors of political advertisements. Your views are very important, and I appreciate your sharing them with me. As your letter indicates, the current definition of "editorial control" is the sponsoring organization. The Commission has yet to conduct a proceeding to review the definition. I understand you believe we should conduct such a proceeding, and I respect your suggestion. Since becoming Chairman of the Commission, I have focused on expanding the public's access to information about political advertising. For example, by broadening the universe of entities required to disclose the sponsoring organization of political advertising in the Commission's online public inspection file database. As of July 2014, television broadcasters are required to identify an advertisement's sponsor. Further, on January 28, 2016, the Commission adopted rules to expand the online file requirements to include cable operators, satellite TV providers, broadcast radio licensees, and satellite radio licensees. These new rules expand the reporting under the current "editorial control" definition and will shine more sunlight on political and issue advertising. I appreciate fully that you believe the Commission should go farther. Thank you for sharing your views with us. The fact that 170 members of congress is a significant statement, the significance of which is not lost. Tom Wheeler O F F I C E O F T H E C H A I R M A N F E D E R A L C O M M U N I C A T I O N S C o M M I s s I O N W A S H I N G T O N M a r c h 1 0 , 2 0 1 6 T h e H o n o r a b l e D e b b i e W a s s e r m a n S c h u l t z U . S . H o u s e o f R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s 1 1 1 4 L o n g w o r t h H o u s e O f f i c e B u i l d i n g W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . 2 0 5 1 5 D e a r C o n g r e s s w o m a n W a s s e r m a n S c h u l t z : T h a n k y o u f o r y o u r l e t t e r u r g i n g t h e C o m m i s s i o n t o e n s u r e t h e f u l l d i s c l o s u r e o f s p o n s o r s o f p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s e m e n t s . Y o u r v i e w s a r e v e r y i m p o r t a n t , a n d I a p p r e c i a t e y o u r s h a r i n g t h e m w i t h m e . A s y o u r l e t t e r i n d i c a t e s , t h e c u r r e n t d e f i n i t i o n o f " e d i t o r i a l c o n t r o l " i s t h e s p o n s o r i n g o r g a n i z a t i o n . T h e C o m m i s s i o n h a s y e t t o c o n d u c t a p r o c e e d i n g t o r e v i e w t h e d e f i n i t i o n . I u n d e r s t a n d y o u b e l i e v e w e s h o u l d c o n d u c t s u c h a p r o c e e d i n g , a n d I r e s p e c t y o u r s u g g e s t i o n . S i n c e b e c o m i n g C h a i r m a n o f t h e C o m m i s s i o n , I h a v e f o c u s e d o n e x p a n d i n g t h e p u b l i c ' s a c c e s s t o i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s i n g . F o r e x a m p l e , b y b r o a d e n i n g t h e u n i v e r s e o f e n t i t i e s r e q u i r e d t o d i s c l o s e t h e s p o n s o r i n g o r g a n i z a t i o n o f p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s i n g i n t h e C o m m i s s i o n ' s o n l i n e p u b l i c i n s p e c t i o n f i l e d a t a b a s e . A s o f J u l y 2 0 1 4 , t e l e v i s i o n b r o a d c a s t e r s a r e r e q u i r e d t o i d e n t i f y a n a d v e r t i s e m e n t ' s s p o n s o r . F u r t h e r , o n J a n u a r y 2 8 , 2 0 1 6 , t h e C o m m i s s i o n a d o p t e d r u l e s t o e x p a n d t h e o n l i n e f i l e r e q u i r e m e n t s t o i n c l u d e c a b l e o p e r a t o r s , s a t e l l i t e T V p r o v i d e r s , b r o a d c a s t r a d i o l i c e n s e e s , a n d s a t e l l i t e r a d i o l i c e n s e e s . T h e s e n e w r u l e s e x p a n d t h e r e p o r t i n g u n d e r t h e c u r r e n t " e d i t o r i a l c o n t r o l " d e f i n i t i o n a n d w i l l s h i n e m o r e s u n l i g h t o n p o l i t i c a l a n d i s s u e a d v e r t i s i n g . I a p p r e c i a t e f u l l y t h a t y o u b e l i e v e t h e C o m m i s s i o n s h o u l d g o f a r t h e r . T h a n k y o u f o r s h a r i n g y o u r v i e w s w i t h u s . T h e f a c t t h a t 1 7 0 m e m b e r s o f c o n g r e s s i s a s i g n i f i c a n t s t a t e m e n t , t h e s i g n i f i c a n c e o f w h i c h i s n o t l o s t . T o m W h e e l e r O F F I C E O F T H E C H A I R M A N F E D E R A L C O M M U N I C A T I O N S C O M M I S S I O N W A S H I N G T O N M a r c h 1 0 , 2 0 1 6 T h e H o n o r a b l e T i m W a l z U . S . H o u s e o f R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s 1 0 3 4 L o n g w o r t h H o u s e O f f i c e B u i l d i n g W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . 2 0 5 1 5 D e a r C o n g r e s s m a n W a l z : T h a n k y o u f o r y o u r l e t t e r u r g i n g t h e C o m m i s s i o n t o e n s u r e t h e f u l l d i s c l o s u r e o f s p o n s o r s o f p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s e m e n t s . Y o u r v i e w s a r e v e r y i m p o r t a n t , a n d I a p p r e c i a t e y o u r s h a r i n g t h e m w i t h m e . A s y o u r l e t t e r i n d i c a t e s , t h e c u r r e n t d e f i n i t i o n o f " e d i t o r i a l c o n t r o l " i s t h e s p o n s o r i n g o r g a n i z a t i o n . T h e C o m m i s s i o n h a s y e t t o c o n d u c t a p r o c e e d i n g t o r e v i e w t h e d e f i n i t i o n . I u n d e r s t a n d y o u b e l i e v e w e s h o u l d c o n d u c t s u c h a p r o c e e d i n g , a n d I r e s p e c t y o u r s u g g e s t i o n . S i n c e b e c o m i n g C h a i r m a n o f t h e C o m m i s s i o n , I h a v e f o c u s e d o n e x p a n d i n g t h e p u b l i c ' s a c c e s s t o i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s i n g . F o r e x a m p l e , b y b r o a d e n i n g t h e u n i v e r s e o f e n t i t i e s r e q u i r e d t o d i s c l o s e t h e s p o n s o r i n g o r g a n i z a t i o n o f p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s i n g i n t h e C o m m i s s i o n ' s o n l i n e p u b l i c i n s p e c t i o n f i l e d a t a b a s e . A s o f J u l y 2 0 1 4 , t e l e v i s i o n b r o a d c a s t e r s a r e r e q u i r e d t o i d e n t i f y a n a d v e r t i s e m e n t ' s s p o n s o r . F u r t h e r , o n J a n u a r y 2 8 , 2 0 1 6 , t h e C o m m i s s i o n a d o p t e d r u l e s t o e x p a n d t h e o n l i n e f i l e r e q u i r e m e n t s t o i n c l u d e c a b l e o p e r a t o r s , s a t e l l i t e T V p r o v i d e r s , b r o a d c a s t r a d i o l i c e n s e e s , a n d s a t e l l i t e r a d i o l i c e n s e e s . T h e s e n e w r u l e s e x p a n d t h e r e p o r t i n g u n d e r t h e c u r r e n t " e d i t o r i a l c o n t r o l " d e f i n i t i o n a n d w i l l s h i n e m o r e s u n l i g h t o n p o l i t i c a l a n d i s s u e a d v e r t i s i n g . I a p p r e c i a t e f u l l y t h a t y o u b e l i e v e t h e C o m m i s s i o n s h o u l d g o f a r t h e r . T h a n k y o u f o r s h a r i n g y o u r v i e w s w i t h u s . T h e f a c t t h a t 1 7 0 m e m b e r s o f c o n g r e s s i s a s i g n i f i c a n t s t a t e m e n t , t h e s i g n i f i c a n c e o f w h i c h i s n o t l o s t . T o m W h e e l e r O F F I C E O F T H E C H A I R M A N F E D E R A L C O M M U N I C A T I O N S C O M M I S S I O N W A S H I N G T O N M a r c h 1 0 , 2 0 1 6 T h e H o n o r a b l e N y d i a M . V e l a z q u e z U . S . H o u s e o f R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s 2 3 0 2 R a y b u r n H o u s e O f f i c e B u i l d i n g W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . 2 0 5 1 5 D e a r C o n g r e s s w o m a n V e l a z q u e z : T h a n k y o u f o r y o u r l e t t e r u r g i n g t h e C o m m i s s i o n t o e n s u r e t h e f u l l d i s c l o s u r e o f s p o n s o r s o f p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s e m e n t s . Y o u r v i e w s a r e v e r y i m p o r t a n t , a n d I a p p r e c i a t e y o u r s h a r i n g t h e m w i t h m e . A s y o u r l e t t e r i n d i c a t e s , t h e c u r r e n t d e f i n i t i o n o f " e d i t o r i a l c o n t r o l " i s t h e s p o n s o r i n g o r g a n i z a t i o n . T h e C o m m i s s i o n h a s y e t t o c o n d u c t a p r o c e e d i n g t o r e v i e w t h e d e f i n i t i o n . I u n d e r s t a n d y o u b e l i e v e w e s h o u l d c o n d u c t s u c h a p r o c e e d i n g , a n d I r e s p e c t y o u r s u g g e s t i o n . S i n c e b e c o m i n g C h a i r m a n o f t h e C o m m i s s i o n , I h a v e f o c u s e d o n e x p a n d i n g t h e p u b l i c ' s a c c e s s t o i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s i n g . F o r e x a m p l e , b y b r o a d e n i n g t h e u n i v e r s e o f e n t i t i e s r e q u i r e d t o d i s c l o s e t h e s p o n s o r i n g o r g a n i z a t i o n o f p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s i n g i n t h e C o m m i s s i o n ' s o n l i n e p u b l i c i n s p e c t i o n f i l e d a t a b a s e . A s o f J u l y 2 0 1 4 , t e l e v i s i o n b r o a d c a s t e r s a r e r e q u i r e d t o i d e n t i f y a n a d v e r t i s e m e n t ' s s p o n s o r . F u r t h e r , o n J a n u a r y 2 8 , 2 0 1 6 , t h e C o m m i s s i o n a d o p t e d r u l e s t o e x p a n d t h e o n l i n e f i l e r e q u i r e m e n t s t o i n c l u d e c a b l e o p e r a t o r s , s a t e l l i t e T V p r o v i d e r s , b r o a d c a s t r a d i o l i c e n s e e s , a n d s a t e l l i t e r a d i o l i c e n s e e s . T h e s e n e w r u l e s e x p a n d t h e r e p o r t i n g u n d e r t h e c u r r e n t " e d i t o r i a l c o n t r o l " d e f i n i t i o n a n d w i l l s h i n e m o r e s u n l i g h t o n p o l i t i c a l a n d i s s u e a d v e r t i s i n g . I a p p r e c i a t e f u l l y t h a t y o u b e l i e v e t h e C o m m i s s i o n s h o u l d g o f a r t h e r . T h a n k y o u f o r s h a r i n g y o u r v i e w s w i t h u s . T h e f a c t t h a t 1 7 0 m e m b e r s o f c o n g r e s s i s a s i g n i f i c a n t s t a t e m e n t , t h e s i g n i f i c a n c e o f w h i c h i s n o t l o s t . T o m W h e e l e r O F F I C E O F T H E C H A I R M A N F E D E R A L C O M M U N I C A T I O N S C O M M I S S I O N W A S H I N G T O N M a r c h 1 0 , 2 0 1 6 T h e H o n o r a b l e F i l e m o n V e l a U . S . H o u s e o f R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s 4 3 7 C a n n o n H o u s e O f f i c e B u i l d i n g W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . 2 0 5 1 5 D e a r C o n g r e s s m a n V e l a : T h a n k y o u f o r y o u r l e t t e r u r g i n g t h e C o m m i s s i o n t o e n s u r e t h e f u l l d i s c l o s u r e o f s p o n s o r s o f p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s e m e n t s . Y o u r v i e w s a r e v e r y i m p o r t a n t , a n d I a p p r e c i a t e y o u r s h a r i n g t h e m w i t h m e . A s y o u r l e t t e r i n d i c a t e s , t h e c u r r e n t d e f i n i t i o n o f " e d i t o r i a l c o n t r o l " i s t h e s p o n s o r i n g o r g a n i z a t i o n . T h e C o m m i s s i o n h a s y e t t o c o n d u c t a p r o c e e d i n g t o r e v i e w t h e d e f i n i t i o n . I u n d e r s t a n d y o u b e l i e v e w e s h o u l d c o n d u c t s u c h a p r o c e e d i n g , a n d I r e s p e c t y o u r s u g g e s t i o n . S i n c e b e c o m i n g C h a i r m a n o f t h e C o m m i s s i o n , I h a v e f o c u s e d o n e x p a n d i n g t h e p u b l i c ' s a c c e s s t o i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s i n g . F o r e x a m p l e , b y b r o a d e n i n g t h e u n i v e r s e o f e n t i t i e s r e q u i r e d t o d i s c l o s e t h e s p o n s o r i n g o r g a n i z a t i o n o f p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s i n g i n t h e C o m m i s s i o n ' s o n l i n e p u b l i c i n s p e c t i o n f i l e d a t a b a s e . A s o f J u l y 2 0 1 4 , t e l e v i s i o n b r o a d c a s t e r s a r e r e q u i r e d t o i d e n t i f y a n a d v e r t i s e m e n t ' s s p o n s o r . F u r t h e r , o n J a n u a r y 2 8 , 2 0 1 6 , t h e C o m m i s s i o n a d o p t e d r u l e s t o e x p a n d t h e o n l i n e f i l e r e q u i r e m e n t s t o i n c l u d e c a b l e o p e r a t o r s , s a t e l l i t e T V p r o v i d e r s , b r o a d c a s t r a d i o l i c e n s e e s , a n d s a t e l l i t e r a d i o l i c e n s e e s . T h e s e n e w r u l e s e x p a n d t h e r e p o r t i n g u n d e r t h e c u r r e n t " e d i t o r i a l c o n t r o l " d e f i n i t i o n a n d w i l l s h i n e m o r e s u n l i g h t o n p o l i t i c a l a n d i s s u e a d v e r t i s i n g . I a p p r e c i a t e f u l l y t h a t y o u b e l i e v e t h e C o m m i s s i o n s h o u l d g o f a r t h e r . T h a n k y o u f o r s h a r i n g y o u r v i e w s w i t h u s . T h e f a c t t h a t 1 7 0 m e m b e r s o f c o n g r e s s i s a s i g n i f i c a n t s t a t e m e n t , t h e s i g n i f i c a n c e o f w h i c h i s n o t l o s t . T o m W h e e l e r O F F I C E O F T H E C H A I R M A N F E D E R A L C O M M U N I C A T I O N S C O M M I S S I O N W A S H I N G T O N M a r c h 1 0 , 2 0 1 6 T h e H o n o r a b l e M a r c V e a s e y U . S . H o u s e o f R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s 4 1 4 C a n n o n H o u s e O f f i c e B u i l d i n g W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . 2 0 5 1 5 D e a r C o n g r e s s m a n V e a s e y : T h a n k y o u f o r y o u r l e t t e r u r g i n g t h e C o m m i s s i o n t o e n s u r e t h e f u l l d i s c l o s u r e o f s p o n s o r s o f p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s e m e n t s . Y o u r v i e w s a r e v e r y i m p o r t a n t , a n d I a p p r e c i a t e y o u r s h a r i n g t h e m w i t h m e . A s y o u r l e t t e r i n d i c a t e s , t h e c u r r e n t d e f i n i t i o n o f " e d i t o r i a l c o n t r o l " i s t h e s p o n s o r i n g o r g a n i z a t i o n . T h e C o m m i s s i o n h a s y e t t o c o n d u c t a p r o c e e d i n g t o r e v i e w t h e d e f i n i t i o n . I u n d e r s t a n d y o u b e l i e v e w e s h o u l d c o n d u c t s u c h a p r o c e e d i n g , a n d I r e s p e c t y o u r s u g g e s t i o n . S i n c e b e c o m i n g C h a i r m a n o f t h e C o m m i s s i o n , I h a v e f o c u s e d o n e x p a n d i n g t h e p u b l i c ' s a c c e s s t o i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s i n g . F o r e x a m p l e , b y b r o a d e n i n g t h e u n i v e r s e o f e n t i t i e s r e q u i r e d t o d i s c l o s e t h e s p o n s o r i n g o r g a n i z a t i o n o f p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s i n g i n t h e C o m m i s s i o n ' s o n l i n e p u b l i c i n s p e c t i o n f i l e d a t a b a s e . A s o f J u l y 2 0 1 4 , t e l e v i s i o n b r o a d c a s t e r s a r e r e q u i r e d t o i d e n t i f y a n a d v e r t i s e m e n t ' s s p o n s o r . F u r t h e r , o n J a n u a r y 2 8 , 2 0 1 6 , t h e C o m m i s s i o n a d o p t e d r u l e s t o e x p a n d t h e o n l i n e f i l e r e q u i r e m e n t s t o i n c l u d e c a b l e o p e r a t o r s , s a t e l l i t e T V p r o v i d e r s , b r o a d c a s t r a d i o l i c e n s e e s , a n d s a t e l l i t e r a d i o l i c e n s e e s . T h e s e n e w r u l e s e x p a n d t h e r e p o r t i n g u n d e r t h e c u r r e n t " e d i t o r i a l c o n t r o l " d e f i n i t i o n a n d w i l l s h i n e m o r e s u n l i g h t o n p o l i t i c a l a n d i s s u e a d v e r t i s i n g . I a p p r e c i a t e f u l l y t h a t y o u b e l i e v e t h e C o m m i s s i o n s h o u l d g o f a r t h e r . T h a n k y o u f o r s h a r i n g y o u r v i e w s w i t h u s . T h e f a c t t h a t 1 7 0 m e m b e r s o f c o n g r e s s i s a s i g n i f i c a n t s t a t e m e n t , t h e s i g n i f i c a n c e o f w h i c h i s n o t l o s t . T o m W h e e l e r O F F I C E O F T H E C H A I R M A N F E D E R A L C O M M U N I C A T I O N S C O M M I S S I O N W A S H I N G T O N M a r c h 1 0 , 2 0 1 6 T h e H o n o r a b l e J u a n C . V a r g a s U . S . H o u s e o f R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s 1 6 0 5 L o n g w o r t h H o u s e O f f i c e B u i l d i n g W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . 2 0 5 1 5 D e a r C o n g r e s s m a n V a r g a s : T h a n k y o u f o r y o u r l e t t e r u r g i n g t h e C o m m i s s i o n t o e n s u r e t h e f u l l d i s c l o s u r e o f s p o n s o r s o f p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s e m e n t s . Y o u r v i e w s a r e v e r y i m p o r t a n t , a n d I a p p r e c i a t e y o u r s h a r i n g t h e m w i t h m e . A s y o u r l e t t e r i n d i c a t e s , t h e c u r r e n t d e f i n i t i o n o f " e d i t o r i a l c o n t r o l " i s t h e s p o n s o r i n g o r g a n i z a t i o n . T h e C o m m i s s i o n h a s y e t t o c o n d u c t a p r o c e e d i n g t o r e v i e w t h e d e f i n i t i o n . I u n d e r s t a n d y o u b e l i e v e w e s h o u l d c o n d u c t s u c h a p r o c e e d i n g , a n d I r e s p e c t y o u r s u g g e s t i o n . S i n c e b e c o m i n g C h a i r m a n o f t h e C o m m i s s i o n , I h a v e f o c u s e d o n e x p a n d i n g t h e p u b l i c ' s a c c e s s t o i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s i n g . F o r e x a m p l e , b y b r o a d e n i n g t h e u n i v e r s e o f e n t i t i e s r e q u i r e d t o d i s c l o s e t h e s p o n s o r i n g o r g a n i z a t i o n o f p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s i n g i n t h e C o m m i s s i o n ' s o n l i n e p u b l i c i n s p e c t i o n f i l e d a t a b a s e . A s o f J u l y 2 0 1 4 , t e l e v i s i o n b r o a d c a s t e r s a r e r e q u i r e d t o i d e n t i f y a n a d v e r t i s e m e n t ' s s p o n s o r . F u r t h e r , o n J a n u a r y 2 8 , 2 0 1 6 , t h e C o m m i s s i o n a d o p t e d r u l e s t o e x p a n d t h e o n l i n e f i l e r e q u i r e m e n t s t o i n c l u d e c a b l e o p e r a t o r s , s a t e l l i t e T V p r o v i d e r s , b r o a d c a s t r a d i o l i c e n s e e s , a n d s a t e l l i t e r a d i o l i c e n s e e s . T h e s e n e w r u l e s e x p a n d t h e r e p o r t i n g u n d e r t h e c u r r e n t " e d i t o r i a l c o n t r o l " d e f i n i t i o n a n d w i l l s h i n e m o r e s u n l i g h t o n p o l i t i c a l a n d i s s u e a d v e r t i s i n g . I a p p r e c i a t e f u l l y t h a t y o u b e l i e v e t h e C o m m i s s i o n s h o u l d g o f a r t h e r . T h a n k y o u f o r s h a r i n g y o u r v i e w s w i t h u s . T h e f a c t t h a t 1 7 0 m e m b e r s o f c o n g r e s s i s a s i g n i f i c a n t s t a t e m e n t , t h e s i g n i f i c a n c e o f w h i c h i s n o t l o s t . T o m W h e e l e r O F F I C E O F T H E C H A I R M A N F E D E R A L C O M M U N I C A T I O N S C O M M I S S I O N W A S H I N G T O N M a r c h 1 0 , 2 0 1 6 T h e H o n o r a b l e C h r i s V a n H o l l e n U . S . H o u s e o f R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s 1 7 0 7 L o n g w o r t h H o u s e O f f i c e B u i l d i n g W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . 2 0 5 1 5 D e a r C o n g r e s s m a n V a n H o l l e n : T h a n k y o u f o r y o u r l e t t e r u r g i n g t h e C o m m i s s i o n t o e n s u r e t h e f u l l d i s c l o s u r e o f s p o n s o r s o f p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s e m e n t s . Y o u r v i e w s a r e v e r y i m p o r t a n t , a n d I a p p r e c i a t e y o u r s h a r i n g t h e m w i t h m e . A s y o u r l e t t e r i n d i c a t e s , t h e c u r r e n t d e f i n i t i o n o f " e d i t o r i a l c o n t r o l " i s t h e s p o n s o r i n g o r g a n i z a t i o n . T h e C o m m i s s i o n h a s y e t t o c o n d u c t a p r o c e e d i n g t o r e v i e w t h e d e f i n i t i o n . I u n d e r s t a n d y o u b e l i e v e w e s h o u l d c o n d u c t s u c h a p r o c e e d i n g , a n d I r e s p e c t y o u r s u g g e s t i o n . S i n c e b e c o m i n g C h a i r m a n o f t h e C o m m i s s i o n , I h a v e f o c u s e d o n e x p a n d i n g t h e p u b l i c ' s a c c e s s t o i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s i n g . F o r e x a m p l e , b y b r o a d e n i n g t h e u n i v e r s e o f e n t i t i e s r e q u i r e d t o d i s c l o s e t h e s p o n s o r i n g o r g a n i z a t i o n o f p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s i n g i n t h e C o m m i s s i o n ' s o n l i n e p u b l i c i n s p e c t i o n f i l e d a t a b a s e . A s o f J u l y 2 0 1 4 , t e l e v i s i o n b r o a d c a s t e r s a r e r e q u i r e d t o i d e n t i f y a n a d v e r t i s e m e n t ' s s p o n s o r . F u r t h e r , o n J a n u a r y 2 8 , 2 0 1 6 , t h e C o m m i s s i o n a d o p t e d r u l e s t o e x p a n d t h e o n l i n e f i l e r e q u i r e m e n t s t o i n c l u d e c a b l e o p e r a t o r s , s a t e l l i t e T V p r o v i d e r s , b r o a d c a s t r a d i o l i c e n s e e s , a n d s a t e l l i t e r a d i o l i c e n s e e s . T h e s e n e w r u l e s e x p a n d t h e r e p o r t i n g u n d e r t h e c u r r e n t " e d i t o r i a l c o n t r o l " d e f i n i t i o n a n d w i l l s h i n e m o r e s u n l i g h t o n p o l i t i c a l a n d i s s u e a d v e r t i s i n g . I a p p r e c i a t e f u l l y t h a t y o u b e l i e v e t h e C o m m i s s i o n s h o u l d g o f a r t h e r . T h a n k y o u f o r s h a r i n g y o u r v i e w s w i t h u s . T h e f a c t t h a t 1 7 0 m e m b e r s o f c o n g r e s s i s a s i g n i f i c a n t s t a t e m e n t , t h e s i g n i f i c a n c e o f w h i c h i s n o t l o s t . T o m W h e e l e r O F F I C E O F T H E C H A I R M A N F E D E R A L C O M M U N I C A T I O N S C O M M I S S I O N W A S H I N G T O N M a r c h 1 0 , 2 0 1 6 T h e H o n o r a b l e N i k i T s o n g a s U . S . H o u s e o f R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s 1 7 1 4 L o n g w o r t h H o u s e O f f i c e B u i l d i n g W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . 2 0 5 1 5 D e a r C o n g r e s s w o m a n T s o n g a s : T h a n k y o u f o r y o u r l e t t e r u r g i n g t h e C o m m i s s i o n t o e n s u r e t h e f u l l d i s c l o s u r e o f s p o n s o r s o f p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s e m e n t s . Y o u r v i e w s a r e v e r y i m p o r t a n t , a n d I a p p r e c i a t e y o u r s h a r i n g t h e m w i t h m e . A s y o u r l e t t e r i n d i c a t e s , t h e c u r r e n t d e f i n i t i o n o f " e d i t o r i a l c o n t r o l " i s t h e s p o n s o r i n g o r g a n i z a t i o n . T h e C o m m i s s i o n h a s y e t t o c o n d u c t a p r o c e e d i n g t o r e v i e w t h e d e f i n i t i o n . I u n d e r s t a n d y o u b e l i e v e w e s h o u l d c o n d u c t s u c h a p r o c e e d i n g , a n d I r e s p e c t y o u r s u g g e s t i o n . S i n c e b e c o m i n g C h a i r m a n o f t h e C o m m i s s i o n , I h a v e f o c u s e d o n e x p a n d i n g t h e p u b l i c ' s a c c e s s t o i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s i n g . F o r e x a m p l e , b y b r o a d e n i n g t h e u n i v e r s e o f e n t i t i e s r e q u i r e d t o d i s c l o s e t h e s p o n s o r i n g o r g a n i z a t i o n o f p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s i n g i n t h e C o m m i s s i o n ' s o n l i n e p u b l i c i n s p e c t i o n f i l e d a t a b a s e . A s o f J u l y 2 0 1 4 , t e l e v i s i o n b r o a d c a s t e r s a r e r e q u i r e d t o i d e n t i f y a n a d v e r t i s e m e n t ' s s p o n s o r . F u r t h e r , o n J a n u a r y 2 8 , 2 0 1 6 , t h e C o m m i s s i o n a d o p t e d r u l e s t o e x p a n d t h e o n l i n e f i l e r e q u i r e m e n t s t o i n c l u d e c a b l e o p e r a t o r s , s a t e l l i t e T V p r o v i d e r s , b r o a d c a s t r a d i o l i c e n s e e s , a n d s a t e l l i t e r a d i o l i c e n s e e s . T h e s e n e w r u l e s e x p a n d t h e r e p o r t i n g u n d e r t h e c u r r e n t " e d i t o r i a l c o n t r o l " d e f i n i t i o n a n d w i l l s h i n e m o r e s u n l i g h t o n p o l i t i c a l a n d i s s u e a d v e r t i s i n g . I a p p r e c i a t e f u l l y t h a t y o u b e l i e v e t h e C o m m i s s i o n s h o u l d g o f a r t h e r . T h a n k y o u f o r s h a r i n g y o u r v i e w s w i t h u s . T h e f a c t t h a t 1 7 0 m e m b e r s o f c o n g r e s s i s a s i g n i f i c a n t s t a t e m e n t , t h e s i g n i f i c a n c e o f w h i c h i s n o t l o s t . T o m W h e e l e r ' w ' 4 f M I S S O F F I C E O F T H E C H A I R M A N F E D E R A L C O M M U N I C A T I O N S C O M M I S S I O N W A S H I N G T O N M a r c h 1 0 , 2 0 1 6 T h e H o n o r a b l e N o r m a J . T o n e s U . S . H o u s e o f R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s 5 1 6 C a n n o n H o u s e O f f i c e B u i l d i n g W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . 2 0 5 1 5 D e a r C o n g r e s s w o m a n T o n e s : T h a n k y o u f o r y o u r l e t t e r u r g i n g t h e C o m m i s s i o n t o e n s u r e t h e f u l l d i s c l o s u r e o f s p o n s o r s o f p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s e m e n t s . Y o u r v i e w s a r e v e r y i m p o r t a n t , a n d I a p p r e c i a t e y o u r s h a r i n g t h e m w i t h m e . A s y o u r l e t t e r i n d i c a t e s , t h e c u r r e n t d e f i n i t i o n o f " e d i t o r i a l c o n t r o l " i s t h e s p o n s o r i n g o r g a n i z a t i o n . T h e C o m m i s s i o n h a s y e t t o c o n d u c t a p r o c e e d i n g t o r e v i e w t h e d e f i n i t i o n . I u n d e r s t a n d y o u b e l i e v e w e s h o u l d c o n d u c t s u c h a p r o c e e d i n g , a n d I r e s p e c t y o u r s u g g e s t i o n . S i n c e b e c o m i n g C h a i r m a n o f t h e C o m m i s s i o n , I h a v e f o c u s e d o n e x p a n d i n g t h e p u b l i c ' s a c c e s s t o i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s i n g . F o r e x a m p l e , b y b r o a d e n i n g t h e u n i v e r s e o f e n t i t i e s r e q u i r e d t o d i s c l o s e t h e s p o n s o r i n g o r g a n i z a t i o n o f p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s i n g i n t h e C o m m i s s i o n ' s o n l i n e p u b l i c i n s p e c t i o n f i l e d a t a b a s e . A s o f J u l y 2 0 1 4 , t e l e v i s i o n b r o a d c a s t e r s a r e r e q u i r e d t o i d e n t i f y a n a d v e r t i s e m e n t ' s s p o n s o r . F u r t h e r , o n J a n u a r y 2 8 , 2 0 1 6 , t h e C o m m i s s i o n a d o p t e d r u l e s t o e x p a n d t h e o n l i n e f i l e r e q u i r e m e n t s t o i n c l u d e c a b l e o p e r a t o r s , s a t e l l i t e T V p r o v i d e r s , b r o a d c a s t r a d i o l i c e n s e e s , a n d s a t e l l i t e r a d i o l i c e n s e e s . T h e s e n e w r u l e s e x p a n d t h e r e p o r t i n g u n d e r t h e c u r r e n t " e d i t o r i a l c o n t r o l " d e f i n i t i o n a n d w i l l s h i n e m o r e s u n l i g h t o n p o l i t i c a l a n d i s s u e a d v e r t i s i n g . I a p p r e c i a t e f u l l y t h a t y o u b e l i e v e t h e C o m m i s s i o n s h o u l d g o f a r t h e r . T h a n k y o u f o r s h a r i n g y o u r v i e w s w i t h u s . T h e f a c t t h a t 1 7 0 m e m b e r s o f c o n g r e s s i s a s i g n i f i c a n t s t a t e m e n t , t h e s i g n i f i c a n c e o f w h i c h i s n o t l o s t . T o m W h e e l e r OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASH INGTON March 10, 2016 The Honorable Paul Tonko U.S. House of Representatives 2463 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Tonko: Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to ensure the full disclosure of sponsors of political advertisements. Your views are very important, and I appreciate your sharing them with me. As your letter indicates, the current definition of "editorial control" is the sponsoring organization. The Commission has yet to conduct a proceeding to review the definition. I understand you believe we should conduct such a proceeding, and I respect your suggestion. Since becoming Chairman of the Commission, I have focused on expanding the public's access to information about political advertising. For example, by broadening the universe of entities required to disclose the sponsoring organization of political advertising in the Commission's online public inspection file database. As of July 2014, television broadcasters are required to identify an advertisement's sponsor. Further, on January 28, 2016, the Commission adopted rules to expand the online file requirements to include cable operators, satellite TV providers, broadcast radio licensees, and satellite radio licensees. These new rules expand the reporting under the current "editorial control" definition and will shine more sunlight on political and issue advertising. I appreciate fully that you believe the Commission should go farther. Thank you for sharing your views with us. The fact that 170 members of congress is a significant statement, the significance of which is not lost. Tom Wheeler O F F I C E O F T H E C H A I R M A N F E D E R A L C O M M U N I C A T I O N S C O M M I S S I O N W A S H T N G T O N M a r c h 1 0 , 2 0 1 6 T h e H o n o r a b l e D m a T i t u s U . S . H o u s e o f R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s 4 0 1 C a n n o n H o u s e O f f i c e B u i l d i n g W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . 2 0 5 1 5 D e a r C o n g r e s s w o m a n T i t u s : T h a n k y o u f o r y o u r l e t t e r u r g i n g t h e C o m m i s s i o n t o e n s u r e t h e f u l l d i s c l o s u r e o f s p o n s o r s o f p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s e m e n t s . Y o u r v i e w s a r e v e r y i m p o r t a n t , a n d I a p p r e c i a t e y o u r s h a r i n g t h e m w i t h m e . A s y o u r l e t t e r i n d i c a t e s , t h e c u r r e n t d e f i n i t i o n o f " e d i t o r i a l c o n t r o l " i s t h e s p o n s o r i n g o r g a n i z a t i o n . T h e C o m m i s s i o n h a s y e t t o c o n d u c t a p r o c e e d i n g t o r e v i e w t h e d e f i n i t i o n . I u n d e r s t a n d y o u b e l i e v e w e s h o u l d c o n d u c t s u c h a p r o c e e d i n g , a n d I r e s p e c t y o u r s u g g e s t i o n . S i n c e b e c o m i n g C h a i r m a n o f t h e C o m m i s s i o n , I h a v e f o c u s e d o n e x p a n d i n g t h e p u b l i c ' s a c c e s s t o i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s i n g . F o r e x a m p l e , b y b r o a d e n i n g t h e u n i v e r s e o f e n t i t i e s r e q u i r e d t o d i s c l o s e t h e s p o n s o r i n g o r g a n i z a t i o n o f p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s i n g i n t h e C o m m i s s i o n ' s o n l i n e p u b l i c i n s p e c t i o n f i l e d a t a b a s e . A s o f J u l y 2 0 1 4 , t e l e v i s i o n b r o a d c a s t e r s a r e r e q u i r e d t o i d e n t i f y a n a d v e r t i s e m e n t ' s s p o n s o r . F u r t h e r , o n J a n u a r y 2 8 , 2 0 1 6 , t h e C o m m i s s i o n a d o p t e d r u l e s t o e x p a n d t h e o n l i n e f i l e r e q u i r e m e n t s t o i n c l u d e c a b l e o p e r a t o r s , s a t e l l i t e T V p r o v i d e r s , b r o a d c a s t r a d i o l i c e n s e e s , a n d s a t e l l i t e r a d i o l i c e n s e e s . T h e s e n e w r u l e s e x p a n d t h e r e p o r t i n g u n d e r t h e c u r r e n t " e d i t o r i a l c o n t r o l " d e f i n i t i o n a n d w i l l s h i n e m o r e s u n l i g h t o n p o l i t i c a l a n d i s s u e a d v e r t i s i n g . I a p p r e c i a t e f u l l y t h a t y o u b e l i e v e t h eC o m m i s s i o n s h o u l d g o f a r t h e r . T h a n k y o u f o r s h a r i n g y o u r v i e w s w i t h u s . T h e f a c t t h a t 1 7 0 m e m b e r s o f c o n g r e s s i s a s i g n i f i c a n t s t a t e m e n t , t h e s i g n i f i c a n c e o f w h i c h i s n o t l o s t . T o m W h e e l e r O F F I C E O F T H E C H A I R M A N F E D E R A L C O M M U N I C A T I O N S C O M M I S S I O N W A S H I N G T O N M a r c h 1 0 , 2 0 1 6 T h e H o n o r a b l e M i k e T h o m p s o n U . S . H o u s e o f R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s 2 3 1 C a n n o n H o u s e O f f i c e B u i l d i n g W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . 2 0 5 1 5 D e a r C o n g r e s s m a n T h o m p s o n : T h a n k y o u f o r y o u r l e t t e r u r g i n g t h e C o m m i s s i o n t o e n s u r e t h e f u l l d i s c l o s u r e o f s p o n s o r s o f p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s e m e n t s . Y o u r v i e w s a r e v e r y i m p o r t a n t , a n d I a p p r e c i a t e y o u r s h a r i n g t h e m w i t h m e . A s y o u r l e t t e r i n d i c a t e s , t h e c u r r e n t d e f i n i t i o n o f " e d i t o r i a l c o n t r o l " i s t h e s p o n s o r i n g o r g a n i z a t i o n . T h e C o m m i s s i o n h a s y e t t o c o n d u c t a p r o c e e d i n g t o r e v i e w t h e d e f i n i t i o n . I u n d e r s t a n d y o u b e l i e v e w e s h o u l d c o n d u c t s u c h a p r o c e e d i n g , a n d I r e s p e c t y o u r s u g g e s t i o n . S i n c e b e c o m i n g C h a i r m a n o f t h e C o m m i s s i o n , I h a v e f o c u s e d o n e x p a n d i n g t h e p u b l i c ' s a c c e s s t o i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s i n g . F o r e x a m p l e , b y b r o a d e n i n g t h e u n i v e r s e o f e n t i t i e s r e q u i r e d t o d i s c l o s e t h e s p o n s o r i n g o r g a n i z a t i o n o f p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s i n g i n t h e C o m m i s s i o n ' s o n l i n e p u b l i c i n s p e c t i o n f i l e d a t a b a s e . A s o f J u l y 2 0 1 4 , t e l e v i s i o n b r o a d c a s t e r s a r e r e q u i r e d t o i d e n t i f y a n a d v e r t i s e m e n t ' s s p o n s o r . F u r t h e r , o n J a n u a r y 2 8 , 2 0 1 6 , t h e C o m m i s s i o n a d o p t e d r u l e s t o e x p a n d t h e o n l i n e f i l e r e q u i r e m e n t s t o i n c l u d e c a b l e o p e r a t o r s , s a t e l l i t e T V p r o v i d e r s , b r o a d c a s t r a d i o l i c e n s e e s , a n d s a t e l l i t e r a d i o l i c e n s e e s . T h e s e n e w r u l e s e x p a n d t h e r e p o r t i n g u n d e r t h e c u r r e n t " e d i t o r i a l c o n t r o l " d e f i n i t i o n a n d w i l l s h i n e m o r e s u n l i g h t o n p o l i t i c a l a n d i s s u e a d v e r t i s i n g . I a p p r e c i a t e f u l l y t h a t y o u b e l i e v e t h e C o m m i s s i o n s h o u l d g o f a r t h e r . T h a n k y o u f o r s h a r i n g y o u r v i e w s w i t h u s . T h e f a c t t h a t 1 7 0 m e m b e r s o f c o n g r e s s i s a s i g n i f i c a n t s t a t e m e n t , t h e s i g n i f i c a n c e o f w h i c h i s n o t l o s t . T o m W h e e l e r M M I S S \ O 9 O F F I C E O F T H E C H A I R M A N F E D E R A L C O M M U N I C A T I O N S C O M M I S S I O N W A S H I N G T O N M a r c h 1 0 , 2 0 1 6 T h e H o n o r a b l e M a r k T a k a n o U . S . H o u s e o f R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s 1 5 0 7 L o n g w o r t h H o u s e O f f i c e B u i l d i n g W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . 2 0 5 1 5 D e a r C o n g r e s s m a n T a k a n o : T h a n k y o u f o r y o u r l e t t e r u r g i n g t h e C o m m i s s i o n t o e n s u r e t h e f u l l d i s c l o s u r e o f s p o n s o r s o f p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s e m e n t s . Y o u r v i e w s a r e v e r y i m p o r t a n t , a n d I a p p r e c i a t e y o u r s h a r i n g t h e m w i t h m e . A s y o u r l e t t e r i n d i c a t e s , t h e c u r r e n t d e f i n i t i o n o f " e d i t o r i a l c o n t r o l " i s t h e s p o n s o r i n g o r g a n i z a t i o n . T h e C o m m i s s i o n h a s y e t t o c o n d u c t a p r o c e e d i n g t o r e v i e w t h e d e f i n i t i o n . I u n d e r s t a n d y o u b e l i e v e w e s h o u l d c o n d u c t s u c h a p r o c e e d i n g , a n d I r e s p e c t y o u r s u g g e s t i o n . S i n c e b e c o m i n g C h a i r m a n o f t h e C o m m i s s i o n , I h a v e f o c u s e d o n e x p a n d i n g t h e p u b l i c ' s a c c e s s t o i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s i n g . F o r e x a m p l e , b y b r o a d e n i n g t h e u n i v e r s e o f e n t i t i e s r e q u i r e d t o d i s c l o s e t h e s p o n s o r i n g o r g a n i z a t i o n o f p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s i n g i n t h e C o m m i s s i o n ' s o n l i n e p u b l i c i n s p e c t i o n f i l e d a t a b a s e . A s o f J u l y 2 0 1 4 , t e l e v i s i o n b r o a d c a s t e r s a r e r e q u i r e d t o i d e n t i f y a n a d v e r t i s e m e n t ' s s p o n s o r . F u r t h e r , o n J a n u a r y 2 8 , 2 0 1 6 , t h e C o m m i s s i o n a d o p t e d r u l e s t o e x p a n d t h e o n l i n e f i l e r e q u i r e m e n t s t o i n c l u d e c a b l e o p e r a t o r s , s a t e l l i t e T V p r o v i d e r s , b r o a d c a s t r a d i o l i c e n s e e s , a n d s a t e l l i t e r a d i o l i c e n s e e s . T h e s e n e w r u l e s e x p a n d t h e r e p o r t i n g u n d e r t h e c u r r e n t " e d i t o r i a l c o n t r o l " d e f i n i t i o n a n d w i l l s h i n e m o r e s u n l i g h t o n p o l i t i c a l a n d i s s u e a d v e r t i s i n g . I a p p r e c i a t e f u l l y t h a t y o u b e l i e v e t h eC o m m i s s i o n s h o u l d g o f a r t h e r . T h a n k y o u f o r s h a r i n g y o u r v i e w s w i t h u s . T h e f a c t t h a t 1 7 0 m e m b e r s o f c o n g r e s s i s a s i g n i f i c a n t s t a t e m e n t , t h e s i g n i f i c a n c e o f w h i c h i s n o t l o s t . T o m W h e e l e r / O F F I C E O F T H E C H A I R M A N F E D E R A L C O M M U N I C A T I O N S C O M M I S S I O N W A S H I N G T O N M a r c h 1 0 , 2 0 1 6 T h e H o n o r a b l e M a r k T a k a i U . S . H o u s e o f R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s 4 2 2 C a n n o n H o u s e O f f i c e B u i l d i n g W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . 2 0 5 1 5 D e a r C o n g r e s s m a n T a k a i : T h a n k y o u f o r y o u r l e t t e r u r g i n g t h e C o m m i s s i o n t o e n s u r e t h e f u l l d i s c l o s u r e o f s p o n s o r s o f p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s e m e n t s . Y o u r v i e w s a r e v e r y i m p o r t a n t , a n d I a p p r e c i a t e y o u r s h a r i n g t h e m w i t h m e . A s y o u r l e t t e r i n d i c a t e s , t h e c u r r e n t d e f i n i t i o n o f " e d i t o r i a l c o n t r o l " i s t h e s p o n s o r i n g o r g a n i z a t i o n . T h e C o m m i s s i o n h a s y e t t o c o n d u c t a p r o c e e d i n g t o r e v i e w t h e d e f i n i t i o n . I u n d e r s t a n d y o u b e l i e v e w e s h o u l d c o n d u c t s u c h a p r o c e e d i n g , a n d I r e s p e c t y o u r s u g g e s t i o n . S i n c e b e c o m i n g C h a i r m a n o f t h e C o m m i s s i o n , I h a v e f o c u s e d o n e x p a n d i n g t h e p u b l i c ' s a c c e s s t o i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s i n g . F o r e x a m p l e , b y b r o a d e n i n g t h e u n i v e r s e o f e n t i t i e s r e q u i r e d t o d i s c l o s e t h e s p o n s o r i n g o r g a n i z a t i o n o f p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s i n g i n t h e C o m m i s s i o n ' s o n l i n e p u b l i c i n s p e c t i o n f i l e d a t a b a s e . A s o f J u l y 2 0 1 4 , t e l e v i s i o n b r o a d c a s t e r s a r e r e q u i r e d t o i d e n t i f y a n a d v e r t i s e m e n t ' s s p o n s o r . F u r t h e r , o n J a n u a r y 2 8 , 2 0 1 6 , t h e C o m m i s s i o n a d o p t e d r u l e s t o e x p a n d t h e o n l i n e f i l e r e q u i r e m e n t s t o i n c l u d e c a b l e o p e r a t o r s , s a t e l l i t e T V p r o v i d e r s , b r o a d c a s t r a d i o l i c e n s e e s , a n d s a t e l l i t e r a d i o l i c e n s e e s . T h e s e n e w r u l e s e x p a n d t h e r e p o r t i n g u n d e r t h e c u r r e n t " e d i t o r i a l c o n t r o l " d e f i n i t i o n a n d w i l l s h i n e m o r e s u n l i g h t o n p o l i t i c a l a n d i s s u e a d v e r t i s i n g . I a p p r e c i a t e f u l l y t h a t y o u b e l i e v e t h eC o m m i s s i o n s h o u l d g o f a r t h e r . T h a n k y o u f o r s h a r i n g y o u r v i e w s w i t h u s . T h e f a c t t h a t 1 7 0 m e m b e r s o f c o n g r e s s i s a s i g n i f i c a n t s t a t e m e n t , t h e s i g n i f i c a n c e o f w h i c h i s n o t l o s t . T o m W h e e l e r O F F I C E O F T H E C H A I R M A N F E D E R A L C O M M U N I C A T I O N S C O M M i S S I O N W A S H I N G T O N M a r c h 1 0 , 2 0 1 6 T h e H o n o r a b l e E r i c S w a i w e l l U . S . H o u s e o f R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s 1 2 9 C a n n o n H o u s e O f f i c e B u i l d i n g W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . 2 0 5 1 5 D e a r C o n g r e s s m a n S w a l w e l l : T h a n k y o u f o r y o u r l e t t e r u r g i n g t h e C o m m i s s i o n t o e n s u r e t h e f u l l d i s c l o s u r e o f s p o n s o r s o f p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s e m e n t s . Y o u r v i e w s a r e v e r y i m p o r t a n t , a n d I a p p r e c i a t e y o u r s h a r i n g t h e m w i t h m e . A s y o u r l e t t e r i n d i c a t e s , t h e c u r r e n t d e f i n i t i o n o f " e d i t o r i a l c o n t r o l " i s t h e s p o n s o r i n g o r g a n i z a t i o n . T h e C o m m i s s i o n h a s y e t t o c o n d u c t a p r o c e e d i n g t o r e v i e w t h e d e f i n i t i o n . I u n d e r s t a n d y o u b e l i e v e w e s h o u l d c o n d u c t s u c h a p r o c e e d i n g , a n d I r e s p e c t y o u r s u g g e s t i o n . S i n c e b e c o m i n g C h a i r m a n o f t h e C o m m i s s i o n , I h a v e f o c u s e d o n e x p a n d i n g t h e p u b l i c ' s a c c e s s t o i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s i n g . F o r e x a m p l e , b y b r o a d e n i n g t h e u n i v e r s e o f e n t i t i e s r e q u i r e d t o d i s c l o s e t h e s p o n s o r i n g o r g a n i z a t i o n o f p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s i n g i n t h e C o m m i s s i o n ' s o n l i n e p u b l i c i n s p e c t i o n f i l e d a t a b a s e . A s o f J u l y 2 0 1 4 , t e l e v i s i o n b r o a d c a s t e r s a r e r e q u i r e d t o i d e n t i f y a n a d v e r t i s e m e n t ' s s p o n s o r . F u r t h e r , o n J a n u a r y 2 8 , 2 0 1 6 , t h e C o m m i s s i o n a d o p t e d r u l e s t o e x p a n d t h e o n l i n e f i l e r e q u i r e m e n t s t o i n c l u d e c a b l e o p e r a t o r s , s a t e l l i t e T V p r o v i d e r s , b r o a d c a s t r a d i o l i c e n s e e s , a n d s a t e l l i t e r a d i o l i c e n s e e s . T h e s e n e w r u l e s e x p a n d t h e r e p o r t i n g u n d e r t h e c u r r e n t " e d i t o r i a l c o n t r o l " d e f i n i t i o n a n d w i l l s h i n e m o r e s u n l i g h t o n p o l i t i c a l a n d i s s u e a d v e r t i s i n g . I a p p r e c i a t e f u l l y t h a t y o u b e l i e v e t h e C o m m i s s i o n s h o u l d g o f a r t h e r . T h a n k y o u f o r s h a r i n g y o u r v i e w s w i t h u s . T h e f a c t t h a t 1 7 0 m e m b e r s o f c o n g r e s s i s a s i g n i f i c a n t s t a t e m e n t , t h e s i g n i f i c a n c e o f w h i c h i s n o t l o s t . T o m W h e e l e r O F F I C E O F T H E C H A I R M A N F E D E R A L C O M M U N I C A T I O N S C O M M I S S I O N W A S H I N G T O N M a r c h 1 0 , 2 0 1 6 T h e H o n o r a b l e J a c k i e S p e i e r U . S . H o u s e o f R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s 2 4 6 5 R a y b u m H o u s e O f f i c e B u i l d i n g W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . 2 0 5 1 5 D e a r C o n g r e s s w o m a n S p e i e r : T h a n k y o u f o r y o u r l e t t e r u r g i n g t h e C o m m i s s i o n t o e n s u r e t h e f u l l d i s c l o s u r e o f s p o n s o r s o f p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s e m e n t s . Y o u r v i e w s a r e v e r y i m p o r t a n t , a n d I a p p r e c i a t e y o u r s h a r i n g t h e m w i t h m e . A s y o u r l e t t e r i n d i c a t e s , t h e c u r r e n t d e f i n i t i o n o f " e d i t o r i a l c o n t r o l " i s t h e s p o n s o r i n g o r g a n i z a t i o n . T h e C o m m i s s i o n h a s y e t t o c o n d u c t a p r o c e e d i n g t o r e v i e w t h e d e f i n i t i o n . I u n d e r s t a n d y o u b e l i e v e w e s h o u l d c o n d u c t s u c h a p r o c e e d i n g , a n d I r e s p e c t y o u r s u g g e s t i o n . S i n c e b e c o m i n g C h a i r m a n o f t h e C o m m i s s i o n , I h a v e f o c u s e d o n e x p a n d i n g t h e p u b l i c ' s a c c e s s t o i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s i n g . F o r e x a m p l e , b y b r o a d e n i n g t h e u n i v e r s e o f e n t i t i e s r e q u i r e d t o d i s c l o s e t h e s p o n s o r i n g o r g a n i z a t i o n o f p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s i n g i n t h e C o m m i s s i o n ' s o n l i n e p u b l i c i n s p e c t i o n f i l e d a t a b a s e . A s o f J u l y 2 0 1 4 , t e l e v i s i o n b r o a d c a s t e r s a r e r e q u i r e d t o i d e n t i f y a n a d v e r t i s e m e n t ' s s p o n s o r . F u r t h e r , o n J a n u a r y 2 8 , 2 0 1 6 , t h e C o m m i s s i o n a d o p t e d r u l e s t o e x p a n d t h e o n l i n e f i l e r e q u i r e m e n t s t o i n c l u d e c a b l e o p e r a t o r s , s a t e l l i t e T V p r o v i d e r s , b r o a d c a s t r a d i o l i c e n s e e s , a n d s a t e l l i t e r a d i o l i c e n s e e s . T h e s e n e w r u l e s e x p a n d t h e r e p o r t i n g u n d e r t h e c u r r e n t " e d i t o r i a l c o n t r o l " d e f i n i t i o n a n d w i l l s h i n e m o r e s u n l i g h t o n p o l i t i c a l a n d i s s u e a d v e r t i s i n g . I a p p r e c i a t e f u l l y t h a t y o u b e l i e v e t h e C o m m i s s i o n s h o u l d g o f a r t h e r . T h a n k y o u f o r s h a r i n g y o u r v i e w s w i t h u s . T h e f a c t t h a t 1 7 0 m e m b e r s o f c o n g r e s s i s a s i g n i f i c a n t s t a t e m e n t , t h e s i g n i f i c a n c e o f w h i c h i s n o t l o s t . T o m W h e e l e r O F F I C E O F T H E C H A I R M A N F E D E R A L C O M M U N I C A T I O N S C O M M I S S I O N W A S H I N G T O N M a r c h 1 0 , 2 0 1 6 T h e H o n o r a b l e A d a m S m i t h U . S . H o u s e o f R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s 2 2 6 4 R a y b u r n H o u s e O f f i c e B u i l d i n g W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . 2 0 5 1 5 D e a r C o n g r e s s m a n S m i t h : T h a n k y o u f o r y o u r l e t t e r u r g i n g t h e C o m m i s s i o n t o e n s u r e t h e f u l l d i s c l o s u r e o f s p o n s o r s o f p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s e m e n t s . Y o u r v i e w s a r e v e r y i m p o r t a n t , a n d I a p p r e c i a t e y o u r s h a r i n g t h e m w i t h m e . A s y o u r l e t t e r i n d i c a t e s , t h e c u r r e n t d e f i n i t i o n o f " e d i t o r i a l c o n t r o l " i s t h e s p o n s o r i n g o r g a n i z a t i o n . T h e C o m m i s s i o n h a s y e t t o c o n d u c t a p r o c e e d i n g t o r e v i e w t h e d e f i n i t i o n . I u n d e r s t a n d y o u b e l i e v e w e s h o u l d c o n d u c t s u c h a p r o c e e d i n g , a n d I r e s p e c t y o u r s u g g e s t i o n . S i n c e b e c o m i n g C h a i r m a n o f t h e C o m m i s s i o n , I h a v e f o c u s e d o n e x p a n d i n g t h e p u b l i c ' s a c c e s s t o i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s i n g . F o r e x a m p l e , b y b r o a d e n i n g t h e u n i v e r s e o f e n t i t i e s r e q u i r e d t o d i s c l o s e t h e s p o n s o r i n g o r g a n i z a t i o n o f p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s i n g i n t h e C o m m i s s i o n ' s o n l i n e p u b l i c i n s p e c t i o n f i l e d a t a b a s e . A s o f J u l y 2 0 1 4 , t e l e v i s i o n b r o a d c a s t e r s a r e r e q u i r e d t o i d e n t i f y a n a d v e r t i s e m e n t ' s s p o n s o r . F u r t h e r , o n J a n u a r y 2 8 , 2 0 1 6 , t h e C o m m i s s i o n a d o p t e d r u l e s t o e x p a n d t h e o n l i n e f i l e r e q u i r e m e n t s t o i n c l u d e c a b l e o p e r a t o r s , s a t e l l i t e T V p r o v i d e r s , b r o a d c a s t r a d i o l i c e n s e e s , a n d s a t e l l i t e r a d i o l i c e n s e e s . T h e s e n e w r u l e s e x p a n d t h e r e p o r t i n g u n d e r t h e c u r r e n t " e d i t o r i a l c o n t r o l " d e f i n i t i o n a n d w i l l s h i n e m o r e s u n l i g h t o n p o l i t i c a l a n d i s s u e a d v e r t i s i n g . I a p p r e c i a t e f u l l y t h a t y o u b e l i e v e t h e C o m m i s s i o n s h o u l d g o f a r t h e r . T h a n k y o u f o r s h a r i n g y o u r v i e w s w i t h u s . T h e f a c t t h a t 1 7 0 m e m b e r s o f c o n g r e s s i s a s i g n i f i c a n t s t a t e m e n t , t h e s i g n i f i c a n c e o f w h i c h i s n o t l o s t . T o m W h e e l e r O F F I C E O F T H E C H A I R M A N F E D E R A L C O M M U N I C A T I O N S C O M M I S S I O N W A S H I N G T O N M a r c h 1 0 , 2 0 1 6 T h e H o n o r a b l e L o u i s e M . S l a u g h t e r U . S . H o u s e o f R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s 2 4 6 9 R a y b u r n H o u s e O f f i c e B u i l d i n g W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . 2 0 5 1 5 D e a r C o n g r e s s m a n S l a u g h t e r : T h a n k y o u f o r y o u r l e t t e r u r g i n g t h e C o m m i s s i o n t o e n s u r e t h e f u l l d i s c l o s u r e o f s p o n s o r s o f p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s e m e n t s . Y o u r v i e w s a r e v e r y i m p o r t a n t , a n d I a p p r e c i a t e y o u r s h a r i n g t h e m w i t h m e . A s y o u r l e t t e r i n d i c a t e s , t h e c u r r e n t d e f i n i t i o n o f " e d i t o r i a l c o n t r o l " i s t h e s p o n s o r i n g o r g a n i z a t i o n . T h e C o m m i s s i o n h a s y e t t o c o n d u c t a p r o c e e d i n g t o r e v i e w t h e d e f i n i t i o n . I u n d e r s t a n d y o u b e l i e v e w e s h o u l d c o n d u c t s u c h a p r o c e e d i n g , a n d I r e s p e c t y o u r s u g g e s t i o n . S i n c e b e c o m i n g C h a i r m a n o f t h e C o m m i s s i o n , I h a v e f o c u s e d o n e x p a n d i n g t h e p u b l i c ' s a c c e s s t o i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s i n g . F o r e x a m p l e , b y b r o a d e n i n g t h e u n i v e r s e o f e n t i t i e s r e q u i r e d t o d i s c l o s e t h e s p o n s o r i n g o r g a n i z a t i o n o f p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s i n g i n t h e C o m m i s s i o n ' s o n l i n e p u b l i c i n s p e c t i o n f i l e d a t a b a s e . A s o f J u l y 2 0 1 4 , t e l e v i s i o n b r o a d c a s t e r s a r e r e q u i r e d t o i d e n t i f y a n a d v e r t i s e m e n t ' s s p o n s o r . F u r t h e r , o n J a n u a r y 2 8 , 2 0 1 6 , t h e C o m m i s s i o n a d o p t e d r u l e s t o e x p a n d t h e o n l i n e f i l e r e q u i r e m e n t s t o i n c l u d e c a b l e o p e r a t o r s , s a t e l l i t e T V p r o v i d e r s , b r o a d c a s t r a d i o l i c e n s e e s , a n d s a t e l l i t e r a d i o l i c e n s e e s . T h e s e n e w r u l e s e x p a n d t h e r e p o r t i n g u n d e r t h e c u r r e n t " e d i t o r i a l c o n t r o l " d e f i n i t i o n a n d w i l l s h i n e m o r e s u n l i g h t o n p o l i t i c a l a n d i s s u e a d v e r t i s i n g . I a p p r e c i a t e f u l l y t h a t y o u b e l i e v e t h e C o m m i s s i o n s h o u l d g o f a r t h e r . T h a n k y o u f o r s h a r i n g y o u r v i e w s w i t h u s . T h e f a c t t h a t 1 7 0 m e m b e r s o f c o n g r e s s i s a s i g n i f i c a n t s t a t e m e n t , t h e s i g n i f i c a n c e o f w h i c h i s n o t l o s t . T o m W h e e l e r OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASH INGTON March 10, 2016 The Honorable Albio Sires U.S. House of Representatives 2342 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Sires: Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to ensure the full disclosure of sponsors of political advertisements. Your views are very important, and I appreciate your sharing them with me. As your letter indicates, the current definition of "editorial control" is the sponsoring organization. The Commission has yet to conduct a proceeding to review the definition. I understand you believe we should conduct such a proceeding, and I respect your suggestion. Since becoming Chairman of the Commission, I have focused on expanding the public's access to information about political advertising. For example, by broadening the universe of entities required to disclose the sponsoring organization of political advertising in the Commission's online public inspection file database. As of July 2014, television broadcasters are required to identify an advertisement's sponsor. Further, on January 28, 2016, the Commission adopted rules to expand the online file requirements to include cable operators, satellite TV providers, broadcast radio licensees, and satellite radio licensees. These new rules expand the reporting under the current "editorial control" definition and will shine more sunlight on political and issue advertising. I appreciate fully that you believe the Commission should go farther. Thank you for sharing your views with us. The fact that 170 members of congress is a significant statement, the significance of which is not lost. Tom Wheeler O F F I C E O F T H E C H A I R M A N F E D E R A L C O M M U N I C A T I O N S C O M M I S S I O N W A S H I N G T O N M a r c h 1 0 , 2 0 1 6 T h e H o n o r a b l e B r a d S h e r m a n U . S . H o u s e o f R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s 2 2 4 2 R a y b u r n H o u s e O f f i c e B u i l d i n g W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . 2 0 5 1 5 D e a r C o n g r e s s m a n S h e r m a n : T h a n k y o u f o r y o u r l e t t e r u r g i n g t h e C o m m i s s i o n t o e n s u r e t h e f u l l d i s c l o s u r e o f s p o n s o r s o f p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s e m e n t s . Y o u r v i e w s a r e v e r y i m p o r t a n t , a n d I a p p r e c i a t e y o u r s h a r i n g t h e m w i t h m e . A s y o u r l e t t e r i n d i c a t e s , t h e c u r r e n t d e f i n i t i o n o f " e d i t o r i a l c o n t r o l " i s t h e s p o n s o r i n g o r g a n i z a t i o n . T h e C o m m i s s i o n h a s y e t t o c o n d u c t a p r o c e e d i n g t o r e v i e w t h e d e f i n i t i o n . I u n d e r s t a n d y o u b e l i e v e w e s h o u l d c o n d u c t s u c h a p r o c e e d i n g , a n d I r e s p e c t y o u r s u g g e s t i o n . S i n c e b e c o m i n g C h a i r m a n o f t h e C o m m i s s i o n , I h a v e f o c u s e d o n e x p a n d i n g t h e p u b l i c ' s a c c e s s t o i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s i n g . F o r e x a m p l e , b y b r o a d e n i n g t h e u n i v e r s e o f e n t i t i e s r e q u i r e d t o d i s c l o s e t h e s p o n s o r i n g o r g a n i z a t i o n o f p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s i n g i n t h e C o m m i s s i o n ' s o n l i n e p u b l i c i n s p e c t i o n f i l e d a t a b a s e . A s o f J u l y 2 0 1 4 , t e l e v i s i o n b r o a d c a s t e r s a r e r e q u i r e d t o i d e n t i f y a n a d v e r t i s e m e n t ' s s p o n s o r . F u r t h e r , o n J a n u a r y 2 8 , 2 0 1 6 , t h e C o m m i s s i o n a d o p t e d r u l e s t o e x p a n d t h e o n l i n e f i l e r e q u i r e m e n t s t o i n c l u d e c a b l e o p e r a t o r s , s a t e l l i t e T V p r o v i d e r s , b r o a d c a s t r a d i o l i c e n s e e s , a n d s a t e l l i t e r a d i o l i c e n s e e s . T h e s e n e w r u l e s e x p a n d t h e r e p o r t i n g u n d e r t h e c u r r e n t " e d i t o r i a l c o n t r o l " d e f i n i t i o n a n d w i l l s h i n e m o r e s u n l i g h t o n p o l i t i c a l a n d i s s u e a d v e r t i s i n g . I a p p r e c i a t e f u l l y t h a t y o u b e l i e v e t h e C o m m i s s i o n s h o u l d g o f a r t h e r . T h a n k y o u f o r s h a r i n g y o u r v i e w s w i t h u s . T h e f a c t t h a t 1 7 0 m e m b e r s o f c o n g r e s s i s a s i g n i f i c a n t s t a t e m e n t , t h e s i g n i f i c a n c e o f w h i c h i s n o t l o s t . T o m W h e e l e r O F F I C E O F T H E C H A I R M A N F E D E R A L C O M M U N I C A T I O N S C O M M I S S I O N W A S H I N G T O N M a r c h 1 0 , 2 0 1 6 T h e H o n o r a b l e T e r n A . S e w e l l U . S . H o u s e o f R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s 1 1 3 3 L o n g w o r t h H o u s e O f f i c e B u i l d i n g W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . 2 0 5 1 5 D e a r C o n g r e s s w o m a n S e w e l l : T h a n k y o u f o r y o u r l e t t e r u r g i n g t h e C o m m i s s i o n t o e n s u r e t h e f u l l d i s c l o s u r e o f s p o n s o r s o f p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s e m e n t s . Y o u r v i e w s a r e v e r y i m p o r t a n t , a n d I a p p r e c i a t e y o u r s h a r i n g t h e m w i t h m e . A s y o u r l e t t e r i n d i c a t e s , t h e c u r r e n t d e f i n i t i o n o f " e d i t o r i a l c o n t r o l " i s t h e s p o n s o r i n g o r g a n i z a t i o n . T h e C o m m i s s i o n h a s y e t t o c o n d u c t a p r o c e e d i n g t o r e v i e w t h e d e f i n i t i o n . I u n d e r s t a n d y o u b e l i e v e w e s h o u l d c o n d u c t s u c h a p r o c e e d i n g , a n d I r e s p e c t y o u r s u g g e s t i o n . S i n c e b e c o m i n g C h a i r m a n o f t h e C o m m i s s i o n , I h a v e f o c u s e d o n e x p a n d i n g t h e p u b l i c ' s a c c e s s t o i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s i n g . F o r e x a m p l e , b y b r o a d e n i n g t h e u n i v e r s e o f e n t i t i e s r e q u i r e d t o d i s c l o s e t h e s p o n s o r i n g o r g a n i z a t i o n o f p o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s i n g i n t h e C o m m i s s i o n ' s o n l i n e p u b l i c i n s p e c t i o n f i l e d a t a b a s e . A s o f J u l y 2 0 1 4 , t e l e v i s i o n b r o a d c a s t e r s a r e r e q u i r e d t o i d e n t i f y a n a d v e r t i s e m e n t ' s s p o n s o r . F u r t h e r , o n J a n u a r y 2 8 , 2 0 1 6 , t h e C o m m i s s i o n a d o p t e d r u l e s t o e x p a n d t h e o n l i n e f i l e r e q u i r e m e n t s t o i n c l u d e c a b l e o p e r a t o r s , s a t e l l i t e T V p r o v i d e r s , b r o a d c a s t r a d i o l i c e n s e e s , a n d s a t e l l i t e r a d i o l i c e n s e e s . T h e s e n e w r u l e s e x p a n d t h e r e p o r t i n g u n d e r t h e c u r r e n t " e d i t o r i a l c o n t r o l " d e f i n i t i o n a n d w i l l s h i n e m o r e s u n l i g h t o n p o l i t i c a l a n d i s s u e a d v e r t i s i n g . I a p p r e c i a t e f u l l y t h a t y o u b e l i e v e t h e C o m m i s s i o n s h o u l d g o f a r t h e r . T h a n k y o u f o r s h a r i n g y o u r v i e w s w i t h u s . T h e f a c t t h a t 1 7 0 m e m b e r s o f c o n g r e s s i s a s i g n i f i c a n t s t a t e m e n t , t h e s i g n i f i c a n c e o f w h i c h i s n o t l o s t . T o m W h e e l e r OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON March 10, 2016 The Honorable Robert C. Scott U.S. House of Representatives 1201 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Scott: Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to ensure the full disclosure of sponsors of political advertisements. Your views are very important, and I appreciate your sharing them with me. As your letter indicates, the current definition of "editorial control" is the sponsoring organization. The Commission has yet to conduct a proceeding to review the definition. I understand you believe we should conduct such a proceeding, and I respect your suggestion. Since becoming Chairman of the Commission, I have focused on expanding the public's access to information about political advertising. For example, by broadening the universe of entities required to disclose the sponsoring organization of political advertising in the Commission's online public inspection file database. As of July 2014, television broadcasters are required to identify an advertisement's sponsor. Further, on January 28, 2016, the Commission adopted rules to expand the online file requirements to include cable operators, satellite TV providers, broadcast radio licensees, and satellite radio licensees. These new rules expand the reporting under the current "editorial control" definition and will shine more sunlight on political and issue advertising. I appreciate fully that you believe the Commission should go farther. Thank you for sharing your views with us. The fact that 170 members of congress is a significant statement, the significance of which is not lost. Tom Wheeler