[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 34 (Thursday, February 26, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S2574]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           TEXT OF AMENDMENTS

  SA 591. Mr. DURBIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 160, to provide the District of Columbia a voting 
seat and the State of Utah an additional seat in the House of 
Representatives; as follows:

       At the end of the bill add the following:

     SEC. 9. FCC AUTHORITIES.

       (a) Clarification of General Powers.--Title III of the 
     Communications Act of 1934 is amended by inserting after 
     section 303 (47 U.S.C. 303) the following new section:

     ``SEC. 303B. CLARIFICATION OF GENERAL POWERS.

       ``(a) Certain Affirmative Actions Required.--The Commission 
     shall take actions to encourage and promote diversity in 
     communication media ownership and to ensure that broadcast 
     station licenses are used in the public interest.
       ``(b) Construction.--Nothing in section 303A shall be 
     construed to limit the authority of the Commission regarding 
     matters unrelated to a requirement that broadcasters present 
     or ascertain opposing viewpoints on issues of public 
     importance.''.
       (b) Severability.--Notwithstanding section 7(a), if any 
     provision of section 2(a)(1), 2(b)(1), or 3 or any amendment 
     made by those sections is declared or held invalid or 
     unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the 
     amendment made by subsection (a) and the application of such 
     amendment to any other person or circumstance shall not be 
     affected by such holding.

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