Telecom
Debate Hints At Difficulty Of Finding Senate Consensus
     A hearing before the Senate Commerce Committee this week underscored the complexities of reaching consensus on the telecommunications legislation drafted by Chairman Ted Stevens. The Alaska Republican released the second draft Monday and plans to unveil a third iteration soon, with committee consideration now set for June 22. While several members and witnesses expressed support for various portions, most tempered their praise with criticism or fears that the text might be altered to their disliking. Top panel Democrat Daniel Inouye of complained that the bill still would not require the Bell telephone companies and other new video providers to "build out" their systems to entire communities. He also griped about a lack of strong network neutrality safeguards to prevent high-speed Internet operators from potentially acting as gatekeepers. The second draft of Stevens' bill did not change provisions on network neutrality, but a committee aide said Stevens is open to fortifying those provisions.

Antitrust
Senators Fear Decline In Broadband Competition
     Senate Judiciary Committee leaders said they are extremely concerned about the ability of antitrust authorities to continue ensuring robust competition on broadband networks. Chairman Arlen Specter, R-Pa., told witnesses during a morning hearing on telecommunications competition that the issue of network neutrality is high on the committee's agenda and that the issue of telecom reform and competition "touches a lot of people." Like other committee members, Specter expressed concern about the ability to craft narrow legislation that would ensure competition but not adversely impact incentives to build high-speed networks. The chairman's interest in actively exploring various ideas on how to approach the problem is a direct contrast to the approach offered by Stevens in Senate Commerce. It indicates that the committees may clash over the issue of network neutrality. FTC Commissioner William Kovacic urged that any bill not encroach upon the telecom antitrust jurisdiction of the FTC or the Justice Department.

Lobbying
Net Neutrality Coalition Boasts 1 Million Backers
     The Save the Internet coalition submitted 1 million endorsements for their position on protecting network neutrality. The support was announced at an event with Sens. Byron Dorgan and Olympia Snowe, co-sponsors of a net neutrality bill. They are seeking to add the language of their measure, S. 2917, to telecom legislation pending in the Senate Commerce Committee. Similar language failed in the House by a vote of 152-269. Technology companies and more than 700 nonprofits support the Snowe-Dorgan legislation, which would bar Bell and cable companies from charging businesses for quicker Internet delivery of preferred Web sites. The tech firms and the nonprofits say free speech is at risk, a point made by Christian Coalition spokeswoman Michelle Combs and MoveOn co-founder Joan Blades, who also spoke at the event "To have MoveOn.org and the Christian Coalition" as supporters is "heaven for me," said Dorgan.

Campaigns
Virginia Race Pits Techie Against Darling Of Blogs
     Former technology industry lobbyist Harris Miller was defeated in Virginia's Democratic Senate primary. Miller, who left his job at the Information Technology Association of America to seek the nomination, won 47 percent of the to 53 percent for former Navy Secretary James Webb. On paper, Miller had the advantage. He raised $1.2 million for the race and had been active in the state Democratic Party for 30 years. Federal Election Commission records show that about half of Miller's donations came from techies. But Webb, a former Republican described as a Reagan Democrat who supported GOP Sen. George Allen in 2000, was a darling of the Web log community in Virginia and nationally. Lowell Feld, the founder of Raising Kaine, which raised $40,000 and garnered 1,000 signatures to "draft" Webb, said the primary was seen partly as a referendum on the Internet grassroots movement.

E-Government
States Endure Glitches As More Prep For E-Voting
     As last-minute modifications are made to prepare e-voting systems for primary elections, state and local elections officials hope balloting occurs without a hitch. But some already are facing their nightmarish situations. Denver's top election official recently announced that the personal information of about 150,000 voters in the city has been put at risk because microfilm storing a decade's worth of voter data was lost during a move to a new office. The records contained names, addresses, Social Security numbers, signatures and birthdates. The disclosure of the data breach coincided with the filing of a lawsuit by Voter Action against the state to block its purchase of voting equipment from several vendors. The group has filed similar suits in Arizona, California, Florida, New York and Pennsylvania. Several states already have struggled with new equipment in primary elections this spring. Equipment in both Arkansas and Cuyahoga County in Ohio, for instance, is undergoing review because of primary woes.

Executive Branch
FCC To Review Contentious Media Issues
     The FCC next week will consider an overhaul of media ownership rules and a potential reversal of its position on cable carriage of multicast digital television signals. Action on both items was spurred by the recent confirmation of telecommunications attorney Robert McDowell to fill a Republican vacancy at the FCC, ending months of political stalemate. McDowell's presence gives GOP Chairman Kevin Martin a 3-2 majority. The FCC is expected to request public comment on a court ruling that overturned the agency's 2003 relaxation of media ownership restrictions. Among other rules, the agency's ban on single ownership of a newspaper and broadcast outlet in the same market, which Martin appears receptive to relaxing, will be reviewed. Regarding digital "must carry," Martin wants to reverse two previous FCC decisions that cable operators do not have to carry the ancillary stations that digital TV broadcasters will be able to offer.

Security
Panel OKs Standards For Security Tools, Training
     The House Homeland Security Committee approved legislation to require federal officials to develop voluntary national standards for homeland security equipment and training. The measure, H.R. 4941, also would require the Homeland Security Department to create a program for transferring to the private sector technology developed with federal funding and aimed at preparing for and responding to terrorism and disasters. The measure was approved by voice vote. The committee rejected an amendment that would have authorized $50 million in funding for cyber-security research and development in fiscal 2007. Loretta Sanchez, D-Calif., argued that the committee should include specific funding to make a "clear statement" of the importance on improving cyber security. But Curt Weldon, R-Pa., said funding for Homeland Security should not be specified without analyzing what other departments are doing. The Senate's homeland security panel, meanwhile, approved a bill that would establish rules for the chemical industry and penalize facilities that fail to comply.