A call to action in the senate.
As of this writing (Monday, October 2) word has just been received that a bill would kill microradio has been attached to one of the four Budget Bills which must be passed by this Congress before it adjourns in a week to ten days. We have also learned that National Public Radio continues its strong opposition to microradio (see NLG's Committee on Democratic Communication website www.nlgcdc.org for photos and details about a CDC organized presentation to the NPR Board when it met in San Francisco in mid-September).
The key players right now are the Senators on the Senate Commerce Appropriations committee. Faxes, emails, or phone calls to them are urgently needed. Senator John McCain has indicated some willingness to block this legislation (his Commerce committee has jurisdiction, which he can assert), and letters and communications to his office will be helpful. The key players in this are listed below. If you know anyone in any of their states please contact them and urge them to contact their Senator urging the Congress not to block this important initiative by the FCC in democratizing the airwaves. The message is that the FCC which has expertise has studied this thoroughly, done testing, taken public and industry comments, etc. for two years, and congress should not micro manage and block this without hearings or debate in their rush to adjourn. They should let this small step in democratizing the airwaves go forward.
The Key Players:
Judd Gregg (R-NH) 202-224-3324
Ted Stevens (R-AK) 202-224-3004
FAX 202-224-2354
Daniel Inouye (D-HI)
202-224-3934
FAX 202-224-6747
Pete Domenici (R-NM)
202-224-6621
Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ)
202-224-4744
frank_lautenberg@lautenberg.senate.gov
Mitch McConnell (R-KY)
202-224-2541
senator@mcconnell.senate.gov
Barbara Mikulski (D-MD)
202-224-4654
FAX 202-224-8858
Has never taken a position.
Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX)
202-224-5922
FAX 202-224-0076
senator@hutchison.senate.gov
Patrick Leahy (D-VT)
202-224-4242
Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-CO)
202-224-5852
FAX 202-224-1933
No position yet.
Robert Byrd (D-WV)
202-224-3954
Diane Feinstein (D-CA)
202-224-3841
senator@feinstein.senate.gov
No position yet!
John McCain (R-AZ)
202-224-2235
FAX 202-228-2862