Media Contact: 
Joel Miller, (202) 418-2300
Joel.Miller@fcc.gov

For Immediate Release

STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER MICHAEL O’RIELLY 
ON TRUMP ADMINISTRATION EXECUTIVE ORDER GOVERNING FOREIGN OWNERSHIP IN COMMUNICATIONS SECTOR

WASHINGTON, April 6, 2020.  “I am exceptionally pleased by President Trump’s release of an Executive Order setting forth official procedures for administrative agencies to review and comment on FCC applications involving foreign ownership of communications companies, previously referred to as ‘Team Telecom.’  While all of our hearts and minds are properly focused on the COVID-19 pandemic, this EO will facilitate acceptable investment of foreign capital in the communications sector to help jump start the industry and our economy, when that time comes.

“Having been at the forefront of this multiyear reform effort, my priority has always been about fixing the incoherent and indefensibly unpredictable review process — one that reached new levels of disfunction during the Obama Administration — without jeopardizing national security in any manner.  The new EO accomplishes this necessary balance by, among other things, establishing a formal structure to be known as the Committee for the Assessment of Foreign Participation in the United States Telecommunications Services Sector and by including deadlines for the relevant agencies to render decisions while still affording ample time for appropriate and thorough reviews.  

“I will request that Chairman Pai move expeditiously to integrate the new Executive Order into our review process.”


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Office of Commissioner Mike O’Rielly: (202) 418-2300
Twitter: @mikeofcc
www.fcc.gov/leadership/michael-orielly

This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).