FCC Says It Will Shut Tuesday Due to Lack of Reserve Funds

The FCC warned staff it lacks reserve funds to stay open in the event of another partial federal shutdown. Trade groups said they're hopeful government stays open, with some concerns if it doesn't. The agency confirmed Wednesday (see 1902130018) it sent memo to all workers saying most FCC operations would shut down at midnight Friday absent a budget agreement.

The continuing resolution funding the regulator and other agencies expires then. The commission during the previous shutdown used reserve funds to remain open until Jan. 2, when some other agencies closed Dec. 22.

The FCC memo said such shutdown activities would happen Tuesday. Monday is a federal holiday. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, told NARUC's general gathering Wednesday she hopes “the wheels stay on the bus” this week as funding for the government runs out (see 1902130052).

ITTA President Genny Morelli emailed it's keeping members informed about budget developments but it's not making any special preparations for a second partial government shutdown. She said an appreciably long FCC shutdown could affect multiple pending universal service actions. NCTA said in the event of another shuttering, it would "will continue with business as usual just like with the previous shutdown."

A second federal shutdown is unlikely, emailed Incompas General Counsel Angie Kronenberg. Prior the last shutdown, it communicated to members about issues like changes to deadlines and FCC processing, she said. The downside of a shuttering is the unpredictability of when the government reopens and begins normal operations, "so we hope that we aren’t in that situation again," Kronenberg said.

Other associations we queried didn't comment.