An FCC spokesman disputed the report, saying disability groups supported Martin's decision to maintain funding for the Telecommunications Relay Service. “After a year of investigation, the committee’s primary criticism of the chairman is that he spent too much money to ensure that deaf Americans have equal access to communications services," said FCC spokesman Robert Kenny.

Kenny also criticized the committee report for targeting Martin's attempts to regulate cable TV. "The other major criticism of Chairman Martin is that he believes cable rates are too high and that he has sought to enhance choice and competition in the market for video services," he said. "With cable rates having doubled over the last decade, he will continue advocate on behalf of the millions of cable subscribers. The chairman makes no apologies for his commitment to serving deaf and disabled Americans and for fighting to lower exorbitantly high cable rates that consumers are forced to pay.”

Martin will likely not remain as FCC chairman after President-elect Barack Obama takes office. Obama has the option of appointing a new chairman.