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).
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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.
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