This is pretty interesting, I usually browse the FCC Enforcement Monitor every month, really just to see if we'll ever see another part 15 AM NOUO again (it's been well over 5 years I think since the last one).
Anyway, the October issue is like one I've never seen, because they have nothing to talk about due to the current government shutdown, but that's not to say it's not interesting...
Below is quoted a heavily truncated version highlighting only what I found of it interest, but you can click link for the full version:
FCC Enforcement Monitor—The Government Shutdown Edition
October 2025
https://www.pillsburylaw.com/en/news-and-insights/fcc-enforcement-monitor-oct-2025.html
This month’s issue is a special edition:
FCC Enforcement Monitor—The Government Shutdown Edition
While shutdowns of the federal government have become depressingly common, the FCC has generally been less affected than most government agencies because it is not funded by taxpayer dollars but by regulatory fees paid by broadcasters and others regulated by the FCC. However, because the FCC collects those fees in arrears—at the end of the fiscal year they fund rather than the beginning—the FCC must borrow operating funds from the federal government ... .. ..
Because of timing differences and the fact that the FCC collects more in fees in a typical year than its actual operating costs, it has often been able to continue operating during a government shutdown, ... It was therefore a bit surprising when the FCC deviated from that practice during this government shutdown and not only shut down immediately, but took offline many of its online systems that had remained available in prior government shutdowns. .....
This has led to what has been one of the more abrupt, disruptive, and longest FCC shutdowns in history. A side effect of that, which some might consider a silver lining, is that there have been few FCC enforcement actions in the past month on which to report. So instead of the normal description of recent enforcement actions, we are going to use this edition to report on shutdown-related information that will potentially affect future regulatory obligations and enforcement actions. ... ..
As a result, unlike the base jumpers now parachuting from El Capitan with no park rangers in sight, FCC licensees must toe the line, even in the many instances where the FCC shutdown has made rule compliance even more difficult.
.... Stations therefore face double jeopardy—enforcement actions based on any failure to properly maintain a separate Political File during the shutdown, .... While it may be tempting to assume that enforcement is off the table while the government is shut down, it won’t be once the government reopens.
... in its September 30, 2025 Public Notice. It states that the FCC will not be open for normal business during the shutdown, but notes that “there are no extensions of deadlines relating to enforcement investigations and other enforcement proceedings that involve specific parties” unless the Enforcement Bureau states otherwise. ... ...
While the announcement of enforcement actions has temporarily slowed, the impact of noncompliance has not changed. .... or take such other actions prevented by the FCC’s closure when the government reopens. ....
Although each shutdown is unique, the FCC has generally tended to follow the precedent established in prior shutdowns regarding the essential operations that will continue during a shutdown and how normal operations will resume when the shutdown ends .. ... ...
So, the FCC’s abrupt and immediate closure this year marked a change from these prior shutdowns. ... ...
The lesson is that each shutdown is different, and while it would be reasonable to draw inferences from these earlier shutdowns, it would be foolhardy to rely too heavily on history repeating itself. Over time, the FCC has varied its initial response to shutdowns, and those plans were then further affected by the duration and timing of the shutdown. As this one drags on, the likelihood of the FCC needing to further extend at least some deadlines grows. ... ...."
Notice this..... "the FCC has generally been less affected than most government agencies because it is not funded by taxpayer dollars but by regulatory fees paid by broadcasters and others regulated by the FCC".
And there is your answer as to who the FCC governs for. Not us(well not USA citizens). Only the licensed broadcasters that pay them the money. Good luck on ever getting any more with part 15 then you have now. We have no say. The airwaves don't belong to all, just the corporations. Be glad with what you have. Yeah they may have to get some taxpayer money as noted but still they work for the rich corporations.
I guess since they can still operate you can't think you cannot get a visit.
Notice this..... "the FCC has generally been less affected than most government agencies because it is not funded by taxpayer dollars but by regulatory fees paid by broadcasters and others regulated by the FCC".
And there is your answer as to who the FCC governs for. Not us(well not USA citizens). Only the licensed broadcasters that pay them the money. Good luck on ever getting any more with part 15 then you have now. We have no say. The airwaves don't belong to all, just the corporations. Be glad with what you have. Yeah they may have to get some taxpayer money as noted but still they work for the rich corporations.
I guess since they can still operate you can't think you cannot get a visit.
Yeah, it really paints a clear overall picture of how the FCC runs, but really although the NAB has tremendous influence over the FCC, it's not like they always get their way. In most cases they actually don't. But yeah, I found it a rather enlightening article.