U.S. Sen. James Lankford chaired his first hearing as the new chairman of the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee. The hearing concerned the fiscal year 2019 budget requests of the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Trade Commission.
Lankford took over the leadership of the subcommittee after the resignation of former Chairman Senator Thad Cochran of Mississippi. The hearing was also the first of the subcommittee’s fiscal year 2019 budget hearings.
“Today’s hearing is very timely given the recent debate in the Senate regarding an open Internet,” said Sen. Lankford in his opening statement. “Since the Internet was developed, the market and consumers have driven innovation and expansion, which has caused the Internet to thrive in a relatively regulation-free environment.”
“I look forward to a thoughtful discussion of the steps the FCC and FTC will take to preserve an open and accessible Internet, in a manner that promotes new investment, encourages innovation, and protects consumers.”
The FCC had requested $333 million for its operating budget in fiscal year 2019.
“I also look forward to hearing about FCC’s Lifeline reforms. Oklahoma receives the second-largest allocation of Lifeline funds, which total more than $128 million,” added the Senator. “I applaud FCC Chairman Pai for pursuing real reform of the Tribal Lifeline subsidized cell phone program. This action will reduce fraud and waste in the program and make it more efficient for those who truly need it.”
Testifying before the subcommittee were Ajit Pai, chairman of the FCC and Joseph Simons, chairman of the Federal Trade Commission.
CLICK HERE to read the opening statements and view the entire hearing.