Rounds Plans No 3 GHz Amendments in FY24 NDAA; New FCC Auction Mandate Push

Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., told us he doesn’t plan to seek amendments to the Senate Armed Services Committee’s version of the FY 2024 National Defense Authorization Act involving his push to delay a deal on a spectrum legislative package until after DOD completes a study of its systems on the 3.1-3.45 GHz band (see 2305170037). The 175-member House-side Republican Study Committee, meanwhile, backed restoring the FCC’s lapsed spectrum auction authority for an indeterminate amount of time, in its FY24 budget proposal.

“At this point, there’s no need to include” any lower 3 GHz language in the NDAA given the current pace of negotiations on a spectrum package (see 2306120058), Rounds said in an interview. Senate Armed Services and the House Armed Services Committee are set to mark up their respective NDAA versions next week. House Armed Services didn't comment on whether the panel anticipates any lower 3 GHz-related amendments to its NDAA text.

“We’ll wait and see what Senate Commerce does and what comes over from the House” via its NDAA version and the House Commerce Committee-approved Spectrum Auction Reauthorization Act (HR-3565), Rounds said. HR-3565 mirrors major parts of a December legislative proposal that Rounds objected to passing as part of the FY 2023 omnibus appropriations package (see 2212190069). “At this point we’re more than willing to allow for” renewal of the FCC’s mandate, but “we just can’t allow them to expand into the 3.1-3.45” GHz band, he said: “We are working somewhat with” communications industry groups “about what alternatives there might be.”

RSC said its FY24 proposal “would provide access to wireless spectrum to private sector innovators by extending the FCC’s auction authority” but doesn’t provide additional detail on the length of its proposed renewal or other matters. The committee didn’t comment. House GOP leaders have committed to holding a floor vote on the plan, RSC Chairman Kevin Hern, R-Okla., told reporters Wednesday.

RSC’s proposal “would eliminate” CPB’s federal funding but exempts the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s “broadband provisions” from a floated repeal of the law’s “left-wing priorities.” The budget blueprint “would also reduce federal regulations that stifle or prevent private investment in rural broadband in areas that could benefit from telehealth operations,” the committee said.

“A free society should not have government-supported media outlets, especially ones that so often carry water for the left’s agenda,” RSC said. The committee also called for zeroing out CPB’s funding in its FY23 proposal. The FY23 omnibus allocated CPB $535 million for FY 2025 (see 2212210077). Then-President Donald Trump repeatedly sought to zero out CPB funding (see 2002100056). CPB didn’t comment.

"We are grateful that a bipartisan majority in the Congress -- and the overwhelming majority of the American people -- support these essential public service missions, and we look forward to working with" the RSC "to ensure that its cost-conscious members appreciate that we’re the best bargain in the federal budget," said America's Public Television Stations CEO Patrick Butler, who previously noted potential challenges for CPB funding given the GOP reclaimed a majority in the House in January (see 2302270075).