[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 178 (Wednesday, December 9, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1753]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUPPORT FOR H.R. 1283

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. LOUISE McINTOSH SLAUGHTER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 9, 2015

  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, as co-chair of the Congressional Arts 
Caucus, I rise today in support of H.R. 1283, the Songwriter Equity 
Act. In today's evolving entertainment environment, songwriters 
sometimes don't get the credit or the pay they deserve--and it's time 
to change that.
  H.R. 1283 will ensure that these artists receive fair pay every time 
someone listens to their song--whether from satellite radio or digital 
music services and downloads.
  Congress established royalty rates of just two cents per copy in 
1909, when Irving Berlin was beginning his career. Now, over 100 years 
later, the royalty rate has increased only to just over nine cents per 
copy. It's time to give songwriters the pay they deserve in today's 
dollars and cents.
  Thank you to my colleagues Rep. Doug Collins and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries 
for their strong support of the arts here in Congress--I'm proud to 
support them, the arts, and this bill.

                          ____________________