How People Voted
11% For, 89% Against
152 votes cast
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P.L. 111-4, The DTV Delay Act
- This item is from the 111th Congress (2009-2010) and is no longer current. Comments, voting, and wiki editing have been disabled, and the cost/savings estimate has been frozen.
Version saved on February 5, 2009, 07:33:20, by webmaster:
S. 352 would postpone the DTV transition date.
Detailed Summary
<b>(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)</b>
DTV Delay Act - Amends the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 to delay the transition of television broadcasting from analog to digital to June 13, 2009. Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to extend for a 116-day period the licenses for recovered spectrum, including the license period and construction requirements associated with those licenses.
Extends to July 31, 2009, provided additional budget authority is enacted, the deadline for requesting digital-to-analog converter box coupons. Authorizes the issuance, on request, of one replacement coupon for each coupon that expired without being redeemed.
Declares that this Act does not prevent: (1) a station from ending analog broadcasting (and continuing to broadcast exclusively digitally) before June 13, 2009; or (2) a public safety service from beginning operations on spectrum recovered as a result of such voluntary cessation of analog or digital broadcasting.
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to extend through September 30, 2012 (under current law, September 30, 2011), the authority of the FCC to grant a license or permit under provisions relating to competitive bidding.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 2/4/2009: Cleared for White House.
Points in Favor
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Points Against
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Cost per :
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There was no up-or-down vote in the Senate.
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Visitor Comments
Derrecho DeVia
January 31, 2009, 4:30am (report abuse)Yeh, just water it down to please the GOP. What's the point -- those who can't afford it are screwed. By the time it get passed, if it does, it'll be after the transition deadline.
Matthew B.
February 2, 2009, 10:20am (report abuse)The transition has been advertised and discussed for close to a year, yet that isn't enough time to make preparations??? You have got to be kidding me! Why penalize the TV and cable companies because some people can't get their act together in time? When are people going to be accountable? Katrina anyone??
DR
February 2, 2009, 11:51am (report abuse)We have known about this transition for several years. How much warning and education on the subject do people need to get ready? Some time soon people are going to have to take responsibility for their lives and actions. Maybe they could start with something simple like keeping informed.
Nancy Perisho
February 2, 2009, 12:02pm (report abuse)The transition has been advertised for many months. People who heed ads have purchased new TV's and converters. This seems to me that it would be costly for the TV and cable companies to put this on hold. Also, more money has been asked for in the stimulus package for coupons. This was also advertised to consumers to get early.Another example of Government irresponsibility!
Derrch DeVIa
February 2, 2009, 6:44pm (report abuse)Some people actually DO NOT have the money to convert, and they are the most vulnerable of our society. ALL people, no mater of income or resources, need to have access to weather, news and EMERGENCY broadcasts. These people are not interested in HDTV, 200 channels and 5.1 sound, they just want the 1-5 channels they have been depending on. To many people in this county only think of themselves. do you have elder parents or grand parents who have to chose between medications and food? Can they afford the extra expense of something, that is not even working well in some areas, and was never wanted by most US consumers. Follow-the-money. Who lobbied for this years ago? Who lobbies for this now? If you buy the "public safety" part of this, you have been sucked-in.
The coupon program is another joke by th NTIA. No matter what happens with it now, coupons won't be available for months after the transition.
K
February 3, 2009, 12:10am (report abuse)Now, I’ll be the first to admit my political naiveté, but can someone explain to me why congress is involved in this in the first place? Does the government have a responsibility to make sure everyone has a working TV? Seriously?
K
February 3, 2009, 12:11am (report abuse)I’ve seen a few posts referring to “important emergency messages”…indeed, but do you know someone who doesn’t have a radio? Radios are more likely to work during a disaster anyway. Perhaps the government should provide cell phones to everyone too….Come on folks, TV’s are elective items to own – a consumer choice, not a life necessity. If your 80 yr-old grandma will shrivel up from depression without her TV, maybe you should visit her more often…or encourage more socialization with her peers…or, god forbid, your family could pitch in and buy her a new updated TV. Even if our country wasn’t facing LEGITAMATE economic concerns, it is crazy to spend valuable resources on something our culture has decided it can’t live without. The proposal that congress continue to spend time and taxpayer money on fixing people’s personal televisions, is ludicrous.
Derrecho DeVia
February 4, 2009, 1:19am (report abuse)Radios? You idiot, can say "Katrina"? Why wouldn't the government have the responsibility -- it's their program? Screw it, why waste my time with idiots!
B.ALLEN
June 17, 2009, 2:36am (report abuse)This whole thing is a complete joke. It is bad enough to have storm drain fees shoved down our throats (here in Fort Worth, Texas) and now fees for converter box, antenna(s), cable fees! Enough is enough. This is a money maker for many companies involved. If I wanted clearer reception why not wear glasses or get a better antenna? This is bull. Oh and guess what the damn things don't work even to this day! Did they mention during all of the advertising that you need to purchase an antenna as well? THIS IS BULL! Nothing but more money for the communication industry as the expense of the already over extended consumer.