JUN-17-2010 02:34 REP FRED UPTON Otnugr£lul nf fife lItniteb~tate.6 llIasqingtnn. DOC 2D515 June 17,2010 P.02 The Honorable Julius Genachowski Chairman Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th Street, SW Washington, DC 20554 Chairman Genaehowski: We write to express our concern about any further efforts to delay the Commission.'s review of the proposed transaction between Comeast and General Electric to form a new NBC Universal (NBCU). This joint venture will combine the efforts ofa leading communications company and an iconic content creation company to respond to rapid technological developments, market dynamics, and changing COnsumer demands. We believe the companies' many voluntary commitments to ~trengthenbroadcasting, invest in innovative programming, and deliver a multiplatform video experience for consumers should compel the Commission to conclude that this transaction, without additional conditions, furthers the public interest and should be approved. We also would like to commend you for the deliberate way in which you have tried to conduct your agency's review ofthe transaction. Considering the continued fragility ofthe national economy and the importance ofgiving the business community the certainty it needs to proceed with investment, it is imperative that the Commission's review process maintains the highest standard ofsubstantive and procedural integrity and signals to the markets that American businesses will be treated fairly by Federal regulatory authorities. Between your efforts and those ofthe Congress, the Comcast-NBCU joint venture is undergoing extensive scrutiny and the public has had unparalleled opportunities for participation. Four congressional committees have held nearly 20 hours ofpublic hearings since February to hear from a wide range ofwitnesses on all aspects ofthe joint venture. The parties have answered well over 100 congressional questions for the record to the committees and the Commission. And while the Commission originally provided 45 days for initial comments and petitions to deny, with an additional 30 days for responses and an additional 15 days for r.eplies to responses-the longest formal pleading cycle it has ever set for any similar transaction-the Media Bureau granted an additional 45 days for public comment. We are disappointed that, despite five congressional hearings and the Commission's extraordinary step ofholding a seven-hour public forum in Chicago on July 13th, certain opponents ofthe transaction are continuing to ask for additional steps to delay and complicate the process. We note that never inthe history ofthe FCCs review ofmedia or telecommunications transactions has the agency conducted even one hearing in this fashion. PRINTEO ON l'u"CYCl.eo FA FER 1002 JUN-17-2010 02:34 REP FRED UPTON P.03 We urge you to reject future dilatory requests, and to make clear that you will focus on the legal and economic analyses that are relevant to your pUblic interest review. You have consistently rejected efforts to politicize the review ofthe merits ofthis transaction. We urge you to continue to resist these demands, because the delays that they are intended to create will hurr consumers, workers, and competition. We recommend that you hold assiduously to the FCC's180~daytransaction clock and reject any further efforts to stop the clock. This transaction presents opportunities that will launch the communications, information and technology industry into a new era ofcompetition, creativity, and innovation. The Commission should act on this pro-consumer, pro-competition transaction without delay. The longer the Commission takes to act on this joint venture, the longer current and potentially new and innovative jobs remain in limbo. Sincerely, Fred Upton Member ofCongre CliffSt s Member of Congress Ed Whitfield Member ofCongress George Radanovich Member ofCongress i(¢e~1YJ.~ Ralph Hall Member ofCongress Jo M REP FRED UPTON P.04 Mike Rogers Member ofCongress Member ofCongress Mars Blackburn Member ofCongress R ert Latta Member ofCongress ---_.-~ J~~ Tim Murphy U Member ofCongress ~~ Member ofCongress , '" TOTAL P.04 IJ FRED UPTON 15TH DISTRICT, MICHIGAN COMMmEE ON ENERGY ANQ~MMEBke §_UBCOMMlmES: ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT RANKJNti Rr:I·UI3I.f('.ANMrMl;~R COMMUNICATIONS. TECHNOLOGY, AND 'I'HE INTERNET ~I::.I-.I-~EDUI-'IUN