Will Congress increase funding for an agency that not only fails to grasp a general understanding of the policies it mandates, but also harms consumers and innovation while enforcing its outdated rules? Taxpayers got an early hint last month, when the Federal Communications Commission brought its new record-setting budget request before the House Appropriations Committee.

The FCC’s $530 million budget request represents an increase of $84 million, or about 20 percent, over the current allocation. It is a 450 percent increase over the budget from 25 years ago. At a previous hearing on March 4, FCC managing director Jon Wilkins had said budgetary constraints were holding back the agency from “moving ahead.” If the commission’s demonstrated detachment from everyday Americans is any indicator, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.