WASHINGTON, DC — The bipartisan leaders of the committees of jurisdiction over communications matters today announced that they will hold a series of staff-led stakeholder sessions regarding communications policy. 

The leaders include: Senator John D. Rockefeller IV, Chairman, and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, Ranking Member, of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Rep. Henry A. Waxman, Chairman, and Rep. Joe Barton, Ranking Member, of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. Senator John F. Kerry, Chairman, and Senator John Ensign, Ranking Member, of the Senate Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet. Rep. Rick Boucher, Chairman, and Rep. Cliff Stearns, Ranking Member, of the House Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet.

The first set of staff-led stakeholder sessions will address broadband regulation and FCC authority, with a focus on protecting consumers and promoting broadband investment. The first session will be held on June 25, 2010. After these sessions are concluded, additional stakeholder meetings will be convened to address spectrum policy and broadband deployment and adoption.

A diverse group of stakeholders will be invited to participate in each session. Because the three subjects – broadband regulation/consumer protection and FCC authority, spectrum policy, and broadband deployment and adoption – affect different interests, the list of participants will vary for each subject. A list of participants and statements submitted by attendees will be made available to the public.

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