News

Homestudy For FCC Chief

August 12, 1996

Federal Communication Chairman Reed Hundt may have to forget about frequent flyer miles. Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., a ranking minority member of the Housing Commerce Committee who has locked antlers with the chairman over many FCC policies, has tacked on a section to a recently introduced FCC-reform bill which prohibits Hundt from traveling on business more than 50 miles outside Washington over the next two years.

August 12, 1996

THE DAILY FED

Homestudy For FCC Chief

If the bill makes it into lawbooks, Hundt would essentially have to conduct business within the nation's capital despite his protests that he must travel to "persuade other nations to open their markets and to confer with state regulators" according to the Wall Street Journal.

Dingell has criticized Hundt and the FCC on everything from state regulation of phone rates and the agency's handling of a digital radio affair to the agency's image during a squabble over proposed children's TV rules. The hot-tempered Democrat believes Hundt strays too often from Congress'wishes, particularly Dingell's. "Keeping Hundt close to home and Congress might improve his understanding [of legislators' intentions]," says a Dingell aide.

Law experts have questioned Dingell's attempt to curb Hundt's travel. Georgetown University law professor Paul Rothstein calls the measure "a sneaky way to weaken the FCC" and maintains that it will be "subject to serious constitutional challenge."

NEXT STORY: HHS Aide Threatens to Quit