WASHINGTON-The United States Telephone Association still is not satisfied with legislation to restrict the Federal Communications Commission’s merger review and is worried a bill pending in the Senate could lead to a more onerous review for its small- and medium-sized companies.
USTA President Roy Neel told reporters a bill sponsored by Sens. Mike DeWine (R-Ohio) and Herb Kohl (D-Wis.) to put a time limit on the FCC’s review of mergers needs to be modified to look more like a bill introduced by Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah). The McCain/Hatch bill severely restricts FCC merger review.
Hatch amended the DeWine bill to clarify certain aspects, but USTA believes the original Hatch bill would be a better alternative.
