NEWS RELEASE

Committee on Energy and Commerce
Rep. John D. Dingell, Chairman

Committee Investigates FCC; Encourages Agency Cooperation

Washington, D.C. – Leaders of the Committee on Energy and Commerce today wrote to Kevin Martin, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), urging him to fully cooperate as the Committee proceeds with an investigation of the agency’s regulatory procedures and management practices.

Reps. John D. Dingell (D-MI) and Joe Barton (R-TX), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee, along with Bart Stupak (D-MI) and John Shimkus (R-IL), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, specifically requested that Martin take measures to immediately preserve all electronic records in preparation of a forthcoming document request. The members also requested that Martin notify FCC employees of their right to communicate with Congress and reminded the chairman that it is against the law to deny or interfere with these rights.

“It is ironic that an agency that regulates communications in our nation is incapable of listening,” said Dingell. “The FCC has repeatedly ignored the public and Congress, but I am confident this impending investigation will help put ‘public interest’ back in audible range of the agency.”

“I want to make it clear to all FCC employees that we welcome them to contact Committee investigators directly or anonymously, despite the alleged suppressive work environment at the FCC,” said Stupak. “Chairman Martin must make it clear to FCC employees he will not obstruct the free flow of information during this important investigation. Employee testimony will be invaluable to our investigation and I want all FCC employees to understand that they are protected from any attempted retaliation.”

Last month, the FCC held a vote on media ownership, despite bipartisan requests from members of the Committee on Energy and Commerce to delay the vote until the agency fully considered fundamental issues relating to minority ownership and localism in the media. While concerns remain about the process used by the Commission leading to the broadcast/newspaper cross-ownership rule, the scope of the Committee investigation will extend into other rulemaking proceedings and allegations of questionable management practices.

FCC employees may contact Committee investigators directly at fccinvestigation@mail.house.gov, or they can submit anonymous information using a Committee feedback form. Alternatively, Committee investigators can be reached by fax at (202) 225-5288.

Letter to FCC Chairman Martin »

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