On the recordMarch 27, 2012
Before I yield to my colleague from New Hampshire, I just want to point out that we're not quite understanding the bill here on the other side because we do allow the FCC to maintain flexibility where necessary. The bill only requires the Notice of Inquiry on new rulemakings. The requirement does not apply to deregulatory rulemakings. And the FCC may waive the Notice of Inquiry in emergencies or where conducting both a Notice of Inquiry and a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking would be unfeasible. So we tried to put some balance in here. But what's wrong with having the FCC, even in that case as raised by Mr. Doyle, take 60 days? They can decide how long this is and go out survey the market and say what effect and what are the issues and then come back and then they write their rules. It's like us having a hearing. This isn't a burdensome requirement. I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New Hampshire (Mr. Bass).
