Shut Down the Federal Communications Commission

The Federal Communications Commission recently requested public comment on all of its rules and guidelines in an effort to identify unnecessary regulatory burdens—an undertaking comically called the “Delete, Delete, Delete” docket. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr says he aims to “clear out the regulatory underbrush.” While this deregulation initiative is a step in the right direction, Carr could be more ambitious. The White House is closing and shrinking other agencies, and it should consider doing the same to the FCC—as the administration has a responsibility to evaluate whether the agency has outlived its raison d’être. As long as the FCC exists, it will continue to find new reasons to exist. The best solution is to close the agency.  Some of the FCC’s functions would need a home elsewhere. The Commerce Department already has spectrum-related functions, and the Biden administration housed its major broadband subsidy program there. Deregulation reduces the role of government in the private sector. Regulation increases it by requiring companies to change their behavior. The FCC would do well to recognize the difference, and Carr could leave a real legacy by putting himself out of a job.

Thomas Lenard is president emeritus and a senior fellow of the Technology Policy Institute.