37807635581_4b51d18329_o

​​​​​ATR President Grover Norquist has released a letter in support of the reconfirmation of Commissioner Michael O’Rielly to the Federal Communications Commission.

 

June 16, 2020

The Honorable Roger F. Wicker

Chairman United States Senate Committee

on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

555 Dirksen Senate Office Building

Washington, DC 20510

 

Re: Support of Nomination of Michael P. O’Rielly, Federal Communications Commission

Dear Chairman Wicker & Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.

I write in support of Michael O’Rielly’s re-nomination to the Federal Communications Commission.

Since his first nomination in 2014, he has proven his commitment to American leadership in communications. He has a strong record of defending American interests globally and promoting economic development domestically, and his leadership will be essential to American efforts to win the race to 5G in the coming years. 

Free market principles and American leadership have been central to Commissioner O’Rielly’s work at the FCC. He has successfully pushed to make more C-Band spectrum commercially available, allowing the United States to come out ahead of China in the race to 5G. This is of vital importance both economically and in terms of national security. He also been a leader in many other spectrum proceedings, including TV white spaces, 6 GHz, 5.9 GHz, and 900 MHz.

Commissioner O’Rielly’s regulatory policy is grounded in Constitutional principles. He has promoted regulatory modernization efforts which emphasize economic freedom and limited government. Regulatory reform efforts have facilitated broadband expansion across the United States and allowed our industries to become globally competitive. The success of these efforts had been evident throughout the COVID-19 crisis, as our networks supported record internet traffic. Commissioner O’Rielly’s work in recent years set up our country for a rapid transition to telehealth, remote work, and distance learning.

While at the FCC, Commissioner O’Rielly has reduced waste and fought against corruption, abuse, and fraud. He demanded increased accountability from the International Telecommunication Union, shed light on states’ misuse of 911 funds, and drew attention to the abuse of the USF Lifeline Program.

Among the commissioner’s most important achievements at the FCC is his fight against the misuse of 911 funds by state governments. Several states habitually diverted money from 911 funds to pay for unrelated expenses in violation of the law. The abuse was egregious, with New Jersey diverting over 90% of its 911 funds to its general fund. Corruption on this scale damages public safety and erodes the public’s trust in our institutions. By shedding light on this issue, Commissioner O’Rielly has proven his commitment to fighting corruption and advancing government transparency.

Commissioner O’Rielly has proven himself to be a principled and effective leader. He has a vital role to play in the implementation of 5G and the modernization of communications regulation in the coming years. Americans for Tax Reform urges the reconfirmation of Commissioner O’Rielly to the FCC. 

 

Onward,

Grover Norquist
President, Americans for Tax Reform