House E&C Republican Leaders Urge Biden to Nominate an FCC Inspector General

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Communications, Technology Subcommittee Republican Leader Bob Latta (R-OH), and Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH) are urging President Biden to nominate an Inspector General for the Federal Communications Commission to help ensure that the unprecedented funding made available to the FCC under the Biden administration does not lead to waste, fraud, and abuse. President Biden has not nominated a candidate for this position as required by the RAY BAUM’S Act, which was enacted in 2018. 

Read the full letter below or CLICK HERE. 

“Dear President Biden:  

“We write to urge you to prioritize the nomination of a highly qualified candidate to fill the Inspector General (IG) vacancy at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).  

“On March 23, 2018, President Donald J. Trump signed RAY BAUM’S Act (Division P of P.L. 115-141) into law, which established the FCC’s IG as a Presidentially appointed position requiring the advice and consent of the United States Senate. Since enactment, this position has been vacant. While the law provides that the existing IG may continue to perform these functions until a nominee is confirmed by the Senate, it has been over a year and a half since you took office without nominating a candidate. 

“Under your leadership, the FCC’s IG issued an advisory about fraud and abuse in an FCC program. Given the unprecedented funding made available to the FCC in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the increased potential for waste, fraud, and abuse, we ask that you expedite the nomination of a candidate to serve as the FCC’s IG.  

“Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.”