House Committee Investigates FCC’s Rejection of Starlink

The U.S. House Oversight Committee announced Monday that it is investigating the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for denying SpaceX’s Starlink $885.5 million in rural broadband subsidies. The FCC reaffirmed its decision in December 2022, citing Starlink’s inability to meet basic program requirements and concerns over its capacity to deliver promised service.

SpaceX, owned by Elon Musk, challenged the FCC’s ruling, but the agency stood by its decision. House Oversight Chair James Comer, a Republican, requested documents from the FCC by Oct. 21, aiming to ensure that the denial wasn’t politically motivated.

The investigation seeks clarity on whether the FCC followed proper procedures in its decision-making, highlighting growing scrutiny of regulatory actions impacting big tech companies like SpaceX.