House Lawmakers Outline Set-top Fears

Two House lawmakers voiced concern this week about the possible effects the FCC set-top box rulemaking may have on small businesses, echoing those they included in a bipartisan letter to the agency (see 1605050044). “I’ve heard from several of my rural cable operators, and they are worried the FCC is failing to fully understand the impact these rules will have on small providers,” said Rep. Kurt Schrader, D-Ore., in a statement for the record, saying the FCC “should reconsider” imposing the rules on small providers. “In the last few months, more than 175 members of Congress -- on both sides of the aisle and in both chambers -- have expressed concerns about the FCC’s proposed set-top box rules,” Rep. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., said on the floor. “From member requests for cost-benefit studies to congressional set-top box working groups, it’s clear that FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler’s proposal is causing more problems than it’s solving. … Instead of getting into another lengthy legal battle, I urge Chairman Wheeler to drop these proposed rules because of the harm it will inflict on small rural operators and the industry as a whole.” Wheeler repeatedly has defended the proposal.