FCC Still Lacks Auction Authority and Fifth Commissioner

On August 10, 2023, FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel issued a statement lamenting the continued absence of new authority from Congress to auction spectrum, noting that the date marked the 30-year point since the FCC was first given authority to run spectrum auctions.  Congress allowed the FCC’s auction authority to lapse nearly six months ago, and efforts to reestablish it have been thwarted among other Congressional initiatives and negotiations.  With an October budget deadline looming, efforts to reestablish that auction authority, along with a vote of the full Senate on the nomination of Anna Gomez to be the fifth FCC Commissioner, are being closely watched.