On June 18, 2013 the US Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation held a nomination hearing on Thomas Wheeler to be the next FCC Chairman. The hearing discussed many issues including Universal Service and E-rate reform. The next step in the confirmation process is for the Senate to vote on Wheeler’s nomination.
During the hearing, Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller, IV (D-WV) declared that E-rate reform was one of his top priorities. Rockefeller pressed Wheeler to confirm that he will not only protect E-rate accomplishments, but work to update the program to meet the current and future needs of school systems and libraries. Wheeler agreed that E-rate reform is necessary since many schools do not have the bandwidth to meet instructional needs and affirmed that he would work with the Committee on this significant issue.
Thomas Wheeler’s testimony can be viewed here.
Chairman Rockefeller’s opening statement can be viewed here.
The archived Nomination Hearing can be viewed here.
