[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 125 (Friday, September 18, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S10580]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             THE MULTICHANNEL VIDEO COMPETITION ACT OF 1998

  Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I rise today to announce my full support 
for and co-sponsorship of legislation introduced yesterday by the 
Commerce Committee Chairman, Senator McCain, that will fix a vexing 
problem that is causing citizens in my state of Vermont and throughout 
the country to lose their access to television network programming.
  Mr. President, Vermonters are contacting me saying they are very 
frustrated to be caught in the middle of a legal battle between 
broadcast and satellite television providers. In many parts of Vermont, 
and especially in the winter, television is our access to the world. As 
a satellite dish owner myself, I know that in many parts of Vermont, it 
is impossible to view television progamming without cable or satellite 
television service. Vermont's many mountains and valleys can enable one 
homeowner at the top of a hollow to receive a broadcast signal just 
fine, but his neighbor down in the hollow needs a satellite dish to 
receive anything at all.
  I am hopeful that this legislation will fix these problems quickly 
and fairly. I believe Senator McCain's bill will both protect the 
rights of local broadcasters while ensuring that Vermonters do not have 
their satellite service unfairly cutoff. I urge its quick passage.
  Thank you, Mr. President. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Enzi). The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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