Senate Commerce Postpones Markup of Cantwell-Led Spectrum Bill for 3rd Time

The Senate Commerce Committee is postponing a planned Wednesday vote on the Spectrum and National Security Act (S-4207), a spokesperson confirmed Tuesday night. That marks the third time the panel has postponed consideration of S-4207 since early May amid continued stumbling blocks in talks aimed at garnering GOP support for the measure. S-4207 would restore the FCC’s spectrum auction authority through Sept. 30, 2029, allocate money to the expired affordable connectivity program and fully pay for the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program.

Senate Communications Subcommittee ranking member John Thune, R-S.D., cast doubt on Senate Commerce's ability to move forward on S-4207 late Tuesday afternoon, citing the state of proposed revisions to the bill. “My understanding is the deal [Senate Commerce Chair Maria Cantwell, D-Wash.] struck is something that doesn't enjoy support from any Republicans, and I'm not sure it'll have all the Democrats,” he said in an interview. Negotiations with other panel Republicans, including Sen. Deb Fischer of Nebraska, “are not in a good place.” Cantwell has been trying to court Fischer and other Senate Commerce Republicans who are also part of the Armed Services Committee, who want assurances a spectrum package won't allow FCC auctions of spectrum on the 3.1-3.45 GHz band and some other frequencies with incumbent military users.

“We're still working” to reach a deal to advance S-4207 out of Commerce on a bipartisan vote, Cantwell told us before the postponement, adding that there were “still conversations with Commerce members” set for that evening.