Wicker Proposes Speeding Distributing RDOF Phase I Money Post-Auction

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., appeared to pivot toward supporting accelerating distribution of money from the upcoming Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase I auction once it happens. He previously eyed accelerating the Phase I auction’s start from its current late October date (see 2005070055) but agreed with Commissioner Mike O’Rielly Tuesday that’s not possible. “I may have a proposal,” Wicker said during a hearing on O’Rielly’s reconfirmation (see 2006160062): After the auction happens, “I think we can help you with some extra funds and some incentive from the administration, on a bipartisan basis, to move this ahead.” House Majority Whip James Clyburn, D-S.C., and Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., filed the Rural Broadband Acceleration Act last month. HR-7022 is aimed at allowing disbursal of some Phase I funding before the auction’s start (see 2005280048).