Dingell launches probe into FCC conduct

House Commerce Committee Chairman John Dingell (D-Mich.) announced the launch of a probe into the Federal Communications Commission, and strongly encouraged agency Chairman Kevin Martin to preserve records and to notify employees of their right to cooperate with congressional investigators.
“We are writing to advise you that the Committee on Energy and Commerce and its Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations have initiated a formal investigation into Federal Communications Commission regulatory procedures to determine if they are being conducted in a fair, open, efficient and transparent manner,” Dingell told Martin in a letter also signed by investigations subcommittee Chairman Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) and two key Republicans. “This investigation will also address a growing number of allegations received by the committee relating to management practices that may adversely affect the agency’s operation.”
Dingell told Martin to expect a comprehensive document request soon.
Dingell in early December wrote Martin to voice concerns about “an apparent breakdown in an open and transparent regulatory process” at the FCC, but at that time only asked the agency’s head to commit to a handful of procedural reforms to improve the situation.
In recent months, the GOP-led FCC has come under increasing fire by Democrats who control Congress. Senate lawmakers have called for, among other things, legislation to overhaul the agency and to create an independent inspector general post at the FCC.