Larry Pressler: “I hope that the Federal Communications Commission follows the intent of Congress regarding the recently passed…”

“I hope that the Federal Communications Commission follows the intent of Congress regarding the recently passed Telecommunications Act. I was privileged to be able to author and chair the Joint House-Senate conference committee on telecommunications. But I fear that some of the deregulation and some of the good things in that bill are being taken away by regulators who are now writing the regulations for that bill. I have asked in our committee that we hold a hearing and bring those Commissioners before the Commerce Committee. I know many Members of the Senate have written to me urging such a hearing because they are concerned that the intent of Congress is not being followed. The telecommunications bill was a very well-written bill. We had a checklist for the entry of companies into the regional, local telephone business and also for entering into the long-distance telephone business. Those rules are set. Also, the whole issue of the States' power and participation with the States' public utilities commissions was clearly written out in that bill. I was just this morning told by one of our good public utilities commissioners that the States' powers are being undercut by the Federal Communications Commission. So we must be vigilant in trying to remind the Federal Communications Commission that their No. 1 guideline in the implementation of regulations is supposed to be intent of Congress.”