David Hatch | April 23, 2008
The Senate Commerce Committee easily cleared legislation today that would block a controversial FCC decision in December to relax the nation’s media ownership limits, sending a stern rebuke to agency Chairman Kevin Martin, the main proponent of the rule change. The measure, along with a bill sponsored by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, that would delay the looming transition to digital television signals by five years along the U.S.-Mexican border, were approved by voice vote. The “resolution of disapproval” from Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., is backed by 25 senators from both parties, including Democratic presidential contenders Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois. Dorgan claimed the FCC got it wrong. “There has been galloping concentration,” he said, noting that today’s development paves the way for a floor vote. Other co-sponsors include Senate Commerce Chairman Daniel Inouye, Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy and Senate Commerce ranking member Ted Stevens. The one-paragraph joint resolution faces an uphill battle because it would require passage by both chambers and President Bush’s signature to take effect — a tall order since the Bush administration has endorsed the FCC’s changes.
