Democrats Dump on DTV Bill Funding Provisions

The bill offers “needed certainty” as broadcasters, govt. and consumers brace for change, House Commerce Committee Chmn. Barton (R-Tex.) said. “Expediting the digital TV transition is a top priority of this committee,” he said. “I believe the legislation we have before us tomorrow (Wed.) strikes the right balance on the concerns raised by those witnesses and the members of this committee.”

Democrats disagreed vehemently, deriding Barton’s subsidy as inadequate and an unwelcome contrast to the Senate bill, which allocates $3 billion for subsidies. “House Republicans, to protect their tax cuts, would force millions of Americans to reach into their wallets and pay a TV tax of $20 to $60 per TV set,” said Ranking Member Dingell (D-Mich.) “Why should ordinary people pay for a government decision that makes their TV sets obsolete?”

Similarly harsh sentiments flowed from other Democrats, including Rep. Boucher (D-Va.) who said the spectrum auction proceeds would yield “more than enough” funds to buy converter boxes for every American who needs one. “The subsidy program is woefully inadequate,” Boucher said: “We should make accommodation for all of our analog viewers.”

The bill’s converter box provision amounts to a “govt.-forced condemnation of private property,” said Rep. Markey (D-Mass.). Passage of the bill would set in motion a process that guarantees TV sets go dark, “while guaranteeing tax cuts,” Markey said, referring to the bill’s link to budget reconciliation. That requires the House Commerce Committee to cut $10 billion from Medicaid for the president’s budget, which includes tax cuts at certain income levels. “Money is going to tax cuts for millionaires,” Markey said. Older and poor people are most at risk from the DTV transition, he said: “This plan is impossible if consumers are not compensated. You should have your TV clicker in one hand and your other hand on your wallet.”

Democrats flayed Republicans for tying telecom and budget policy. “This should not be a part of the reconciliation package,” said Rep. Stupak (D-Mich.). “If it hadn’t, we'd have had a better bill before us.” He said the subsidy program is a “setup for failure. Stupak condemned the bill’s lack of funding for interoperable gear for first responders, a theme reprised in many opening statements. Rep. Shimkus (R-Ill.) urged the committee to consider a provision in the Senate DTV bill allocating $250 million for E-911 wireless grants -- a step that could help first responders -- when conferees work out the differences between the 2 bills.

Democrats weren’t alone in their concerns for first responders. Rep. Upton (R-Mich.) said he plans to offer an amendment to use some of the DTV spectrum auction proceeds for a public safety interoperability grant program. “Clearing spectrum for our first responders is not only the right thing to do, it surely helps us be better prepared for our next emergency,” Upton said.

Rep. Wynn (D-Md.) harped at the bill’s failure to devote money toward purchase of interoperability equipment for first responders. “They're [first responders] asking for not just spectrum, but interoperability,” he said.

Barton wasn’t without allies, but even they qualified their endorsements. “I support the efforts of the chairman to establish a hard date for cessation of analog broadcasts,” said Rep. Baldwin (D-Wis.). But she said the bill’s converter box provision is “inadequate. The proposed coupon program is unworkable, unrealistic, fails to provide a sufficient subsidy and would cover only half of the 21 million households” that need assistance. She also joined the chorus of complaint about the bill’s failure to provide funding for interoperable equipment and communications upgrades.