Members of both parties in Congress had warned FCC Chairman Martin they would begin an investigation into how the agency conducts its business if he went ahead with a vote to ease the cross-ownership rules.
The commission proceeded anyway, and now the House Commerce Committee has begun a formal investigation into the FCC’s regulatory procedures “to determine if they are being conducted in a fair, open, efficient and transparent manner,” the committee told Martin in a letter.
“This investigation will also address a growing number of allegations received by the committee relating to management practices that may adversely affect the agency’s operation,” stated committee chair Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich.
Prior to the cross-ownership vote in December, Martin’s fellow commissioners complained they were receiving material they needed to vote on issues at the last minute, allegations Martin has denied.
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