FCC forced to cancel agenda items benefitting blind and visually-impaired, small businesses and public safety organizations

Washington (November 16, 2016) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, released the following statement after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) decided to pull four items from its Open Meeting agenda scheduled for tomorrow following requests from Congressional Republican to halt activity on new rulemaking in the wake of the election.

“Blind and visually impaired individuals will suffer because Republicans and their allies on the Commission will not allow a vote to expand the amount of video-described programming available. 

“Small business, universities, hospitals, and public safety organizations will suffer because Republicans and their allies on the Commission won’t allow a vote on business data services.

“Republican lawmakers should stop their obstruction and support Commission action on those pro-consumer, pro-accessibility measures without delay.”