Issa: No auction authority for FCC unless net neutrality is repealed

House Oversight Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) said Monday that unless the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) repeals its net-neutrality regulations, House Republicans might be unwilling to grant the agency new power to move on its top priority: incentive spectrum auctions.

Issa said after his hearing in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, according to Communications Daily: "Until net neutrality is rolled back, I don't believe Congress is going to be willing to give the FCC any new power."

The FCC passed net-neutrality regulations in December over strong objections from House Republicans, who have made efforts this year to repeal the rules. A repeal seems unlikely, as the White House has promised a veto. Incentive auctions, a top priority of FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, have some bipartisan support.