What You Are Writing About
Each year, I hear from thousands of Idahoans who write, e-mail, fax and call my offices to let me know how they feel about issues facing our country today. On average, I receive approximately 1,000 letters and e-mails a week. In recent years, an increasing number of that correspondence has come via electronic means. Even with such a volume of correspondence, I try to respond to each Idahoan as promptly as possible. In an effort to be even more responsive and to fully utilize the technology available through the Internet, this web page features the top five issues of concern from Idahoans and my response on each from the previous week. You may also wish to review information in the Issues Section or details from my Legislative Record, which lists bills I have sponsored and co-sponsored.
Here are the top issues Idahoans have recently written me about:
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Federal Communications Commission proposal to require open set-top boxes
International Maternal and Child Nutrition Programs
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
S. 2341 was introduced by Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colorado) on December 2, 2015. This bill would designate the coastal area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) as wilderness. S. 2341 has been referred to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee for further consideration.
The Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980 doubled the size of the Arctic Range, designated 8 million acres as wilderness and changed the name of the area to ANWR. The original legislation also included a provision that required the Department of Interior (DOI) to study oil potential and biological resources of the 1.5 million acres omitted from wilderness. In 1987, DOI recommended that the area be made available for leasing. Since then, advances in oil exploration and production have shrunk the footprint required for drilling and offer more environmentally-friendly techniques for oil extraction techniques.
Throughout my tenure in Congress, I have supported policies that effectively address the concerns of Americans and Idahoans. Clearly, we have a responsibility to ourselves and future generations, to preserve, protect and enhance our natural environment. However, land and resource management decisions that impact local ecosystems, cultures and economies necessitate the full participation of those most affected. This goal can be met by working with local interests and local land managers. However, this proposal does not have the support of the Alaska Congressional delegation.
Federal Communications Commission proposal to require open set-top boxes
On January, 27, 2016, the FCC issued a proposed rule that would mandate that multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs) make video services available as an open set of streaming channels. Doing so would require that MVPDs, such as cable companies, make three streams of video programming content available to third party entities acting as an alternative set-top box. Under the proposed rule, the open informational streams would include actual content being distributed, information on what that content is, such as channel listings, video-on-demand listings and all transmitted programs being offered, and permissions for a given device about what action, such as recording, is allowed for that content.
While the proposed rule is intended to maximize competition between cable and satellite operators, the proposal raises a number of concerns related to licensing and copyright law, as third parties are not subject to the same licensing regulations that apply to MVPDs. The Federal Communications Act permits consumers to use third-party devices to access multichannel video programs without subjecting those devices to common carrier regulation, video systems security, and stringent consumer privacy regulations. Under the proposed rule change, third-party entities could offer content in a manner that violates the use intended by the copyright holder.
Further, the FCC’s proposed regulation could increase prices for consumers. Current practice in video distribution is to offer a basic price for content with the option of upgrading to additional services. Under the proposal, the current user interface would be decoupled from content and is likely to negatively impact program listings, search mechanisms and other quality mechanisms. Should the FCC’s proposal be finalized, basic packages will likely disappear as cable companies adapt to changes in service sign-ups, content discovery and subscriber retention.
Regardless, the FCC moved forward with its proposal when it voted 3-2 in February 2016 to advance the rule change. However, On September 29, 2016, the head of the FCC, Chairman Tom Wheeler, announced that the agency had delayed a vote on the final rule because the five commissioners needed more time to discuss the proposal. Wheeler previously stated the agency had been “particularly focused” on concerns raised about licensing and copyright law. The proposed rule may be voted on at the next FCC meeting, which is scheduled for October 27.
Please know that I will monitor the FCC’s actions carefully, and will continue to support efforts that promote accessibility and innovation in the telecommunications industry.
International Maternal and Child Nutrition Programs
I share your concerns about the severity of poverty and hunger around the world. On June 29, 2016, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations approved language recommending over $8.6 billion for international global health initiatives for Fiscal Year (FY) 2017, including $814 million for maternal and child health programs and $125 million for nutrition programs. This amount represents an increase in global health funding as a share of the total international affairs budget from 20 percent in FY 2014 to 23 percent in FY 2017. As this legislation works its way through Congress, I will continue to advocate for important international assistance initiatives.
Food security and access to healthcare are important factors that contribute to global security and prosperity. The U.S. can benefit from participating in certain international organizations and activities when they are consistent with the goals of the American people. As with all federal programs, reviewing the costs and benefits of U.S. foreign aid should be a constant and careful consideration. The American taxpayer expects Congress to exercise sound judgment and fiscal prudence in allocating scarce resources to foreign assistance programs. I will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress to promote sound and cost-effective U.S. foreign policies to help ease hunger, disease and suffering around the world.
Land and Water Conservation Fund
The LWCF is one of our most successful federal conservation programs, funded through a dedicated revenue stream from offshore oil and gas royalties. The program ensures the proper stewardship of our private lands as well as safeguards important recreation grants and endangered species protections for generations to come.
The LWCF was most recently reauthorized through Fiscal Year (FY) 2018, as part of H.R. 2029, the Consolidated Appropriations Act. H.R. 2029 appropriated $450 million for the program in FY16, and was signed into law on December 18, 2015.
On June 16, 2016, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved S. 3068, the FY17 Interior Appropriations Act. The legislation would fund the LWCF at $400 million in FY17. S. 3068 awaits further considerations before the full Senate.
Moving forward, efforts focused on providing consistent funding to the program should be flexible, comply with Congressional spending rules and be coupled with initiatives that help stabilize county governments. Approaching the LWCF funding issue in this manner would ensure access to and enhancement of public lands in a manner supported by a broad coalition of stakeholders representing diverse interests.
As an avid outdoorsman and legislator, I share your interest in conserving and protecting our tremendous natural resources, wildlife and scenic landscapes in a manner that is supported by local stakeholders. I also appreciate your efforts in helping move conservation forward. Conservation and outdoor recreation go hand in hand, and enjoying all the outdoor opportunities our state has to offer is truly an important asset to residents and visitors alike. Please be assured that I will continue to seek opportunities that promote effective stewardship of our natural resources, environment and wildlife, and ensure access to federal lands for the benefit of the public.
Migratory Bird Programs for Fiscal Year 2017
I share your interest in conserving and protecting our tremendous natural resources, wildlife and scenic landscapes. The North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA), Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), and Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (NMBCA) continue to be among our most successful conservation programs in promoting conservation solutions supported by local stakeholders.
NAWCA is a unique, partnership-based program that leverages non-federal funds to protect, restore and manage wetland habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife. Since NAWCA’s enactment, conservation partners—from small landowners to large corporations—have leveraged the federal share of NAWCA into over $3 billion of partner funds, conserving more than 30.7 million acres of habitat. NAWCA is perhaps the single best investment of federal wetlands dollars anywhere in the federal budget. The program was funded at $35.145 million in FY 2016 through H.R. 2029, the Consolidated Appropriations Act.
It may be interest you to know that I have again led a bipartisan coalition of Senators in encouraging the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee to support robust funding for NAWCA in FY 2017. The Senate Appropriations Committee approved S. 3068, the Department of Interior Appropriations Act, on June 16, 2016. If enacted, the legislation would appropriate $38.145 million for NAWCA in FY 2017.
Funding for LWCF is provided through a dedicated revenue stream from offshore oil and gas royalties. The program encourages the proper stewardship of public and private lands as well as safeguards important recreation grants, state-based conservation programs and endangered species protections for generations to come. LWCF was most recently reauthorized through FY 2018, as part of H.R. 2029. H.R. 2029 was signed into law on December 18, 2015, and appropriated $450 million for the program in FY 2016. S. 3068 would fund LWCF at $400 million in FY 2017.
Finally, the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (NMBCA) seeks to leverage federal and private funds to preserve neotropical bird habitat through law enforcement, public education, habitat management and species research and monitoring. NMBCA was funded at $3.91 million in FY 2016. S. 3068 would keep that funding consistent through FY17. S. 3068 awaits further consideration before the full Senate.
I appreciate your efforts in helping move migratory bird conservation forward. Wildlife and environmental conservation are not only important goals in and of themselves, but yield important opportunities and benefits for hunters, anglers, sportsmen and women and other outdoor enthusiasts as well. Please be assured that I will continue to support effective policy solutions to the problems facing wildlife habitat and species conservation.
