[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 178 (Thursday, December 3, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2878]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           SATELLITE HOME VIEWER REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2009

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                               speech of

                           HON. ADRIAN SMITH

                              of nebraska

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 2, 2009

  Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Madam Speaker, I rise today to oppose 
suspending the rules to pass H.R. 3570, the Satellite Home Viewer 
Update and Reauthorization Act.
  I understand this legislation must be reauthorized by December 31 to 
ensure satellite television viewers have continued access to local 
stations. In many rural areas--including large portions of my 
district--satellite television carriage of local stations is one of the 
only sources for up-to-the-minute news and weather. It is vital we 
maintain that link.
  I am pleased this legislation addresses two issues of concern to my 
constituents. It includes language allowing satellite carriers to 
provide in-state public television signals to all viewers in the state, 
regardless of television market, DMA. This means the thirteen counties 
in my district served by the Denver DMA will have improved access to 
the quality programming of NET--Nebraska's statewide PBS station.
  The bill also takes steps to encourage satellite carriers to carry 
all 210 DMAs. Currently, 31 DMAs, including the city of North Platte in 
my district, are not carried by either of the two major satellite 
carriers and another 76 are carried by only one of the two. These 
unserved and underserved markets are typically small, rural areas and 
are often in the greatest need of satellite carriage for distant 
viewers to receive their signals. I am pleased the bill takes steps to 
encourage their coverage rather than implementing strong new mandates 
on these private companies.
  However, I must oppose passage of this legislation under suspension 
of the rules. It does not contain language to address the needs of 
consumers in out-of-state DMAs who wish to receive in-state broadcast 
programming over satellite. Under suspension of the rules, no member 
will have the opportunity to offer an amendment to address this issue.
  Under this legislation the thirteen counties which would gain access 
to Nebraska public television would still be forced to watch local 
broadcast programming from the Denver DMA. This includes places such as 
Sheridan and Cherry Counties which are over 400 miles from Denver and 
have three closer and arguably more local markets unavailable to them 
on satellite--North Platte, Scottsbluff-Cheyenne, and even Rapid City, 
South Dakota.
  With this in mind, I must oppose suspending the rules to pass this 
legislation today in hope that this bill can be brought back up under a 
rule with the opportunity to make these needed changes for my 
constituents.

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