Leading communications lawyers are at odds over congressional overtures to revamp the Federal Communications Commission. W.J. “Billy” Tauzin, R-La., the chairman of the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade and Consumer Protection, wants to overhaul the agency radically. John McCain, R-Ariz., chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, which also has jurisdiction over the agency, has said that he, too, wants to “refocus” the agency.
While neither lawmaker has offered concrete proposals, their comments are setting the stage for what may be a battle over the reauthorization of an agency that has operated without explicit congressional authorization since 1991.
