The Commission is requesting spending authority of $304,057,000 for Fiscal Year 2006, with a direct appropriation of $4,823,000. The Commission will raise the remainder, or $299,234,000, through regulatory fees. During the current fiscal year, the Commission has a spending level of $281,098,000, with all but one million dollars being raised through regulatory fees.

Second, the Commission requests $1,350,000 forthe Licensing Integration Initiative to provide enhancements to the Commission’scomputer systems in order to improve licensing resources and facilitate cross-bureauapplications – a program that will enhance consumer interaction with all of theCommission’s licensing systems at a time of increased convergence intelecommunications services.

The FCC’s fourth special request is $3,173,000 to hire 26 limited term FTEs toincrease Universal Service Fund audit and oversight activities in Fiscal Year 2006. Therequested funds would provide for additional FTEs in the Office of Inspector General, theWireline Competition Bureau, and the Office of Managing Director… We will work with Congress to ensure the requested funds improve the efficiency of the programs and safeguard the USF fromwaste, fraud, and abuse.