WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., a senior member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today supported efforts to rein in government overreach while strengthening protections for consumers. Wicker voted in favor of S. 421, the “Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Process Reform Act” authored by Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev. The measure now awaits consideration by the full Senate.

“With rapid advancements in communications and technology, Americans are increasingly impacted by the FCC and its rulemaking process,” Wicker said. “This bill aims to shed light on how the agency develops those many rules and orders. It could also lead to less red tape for consumers and businesses while improving the overall efficiency of the commission.”

The bill, which passed the committee by a vote of 13-11, would update FCC’s rulemaking process with regard to comment periods, the publication of ongoing status reports, and the publication of rule language prior to a vote. The measure would also permit a bipartisan majority of commissioners to meet for collaborative discussions subject to transparency safeguards.

Wicker is the chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet, which is responsible for FCC oversight.