White House opposes FCC reform bill

The White House said on Monday it opposes a bill designed to reform the Federal Communications Commission.

In addition to other reforms, the bill would limit what conditions the FCC can place on mergers.

"These restrictions would harm the Federal Government's ability to promote the most effective competitive outcome in any given transaction involving communications firms," the White House said in a Statement of Administration Policy issued as the House Rules Committee considered the legislation, sponsored by Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., on Monday evening.

The full House is expected to consider the legslation as soon as Tuesday. White House stopped short of threatening to veto the bill, which is not expected to be approved in the Democrat-controlled Senate.

The bill would require the FCC to do more research before making rules and publicize its rules before voting on them, among other changes.