[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 208 (Wednesday, December 9, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H7066-H7067]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               REAFFIRMING COMMITMENT TO MEDIA DIVERSITY

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 549) reaffirming the commitment to media 
diversity and pledging to work with media entities and diverse 
stakeholders to develop common ground solutions to eliminate barriers 
to media diversity.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 549

       Whereas the principle that an informed and engaged 
     electorate is critical to a vibrant democracy is deeply 
     rooted in our laws of free speech and underpins the virtues 
     on which we established our Constitution, ``in Order to form 
     a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic 
     Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the 
     general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to 
     ourselves and our Posterity . . .'';
       Whereas having independent, diverse, and local media that 
     provide exposure to a broad range of viewpoints and the 
     ability to contribute to the political debate is central to 
     sustaining that informed engagement;
       Whereas it is in the public interest to encourage source, 
     content, and audience diversity on our Nation's shared 
     telecommunications and media platforms;
       Whereas the survival of small, independent, and diverse 
     media outlets that serve diverse audiences and local media 
     markets is essential to preserving local culture and building 
     understanding on important community issues that impact the 
     daily lives of residents;
       Whereas research by the American Society of News Editors, 
     the Radio Television Digital News Association, the Pew 
     Research Center, and others has documented the continued 
     challenges of increasing diversity among all types of media 
     entities;
       Whereas with increasing media experience and 
     sophistication, it is even more important to have minority 
     participation in local media to ensure a diverse range of 
     information sources are available and different ideas and 
     viewpoints are expressed to strengthen social cohesion among 
     different communities; and
       Whereas the constriction in small, independent, and diverse 
     media outlets and limited participation of diverse 
     populations in media ownership and decisionmaking are 
     combining to negatively impact our goal of increasing local 
     civic engagement and civic knowledge through increased voter 
     participation, membership in civic groups, and knowledge of 
     local political and civil information: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) reaffirms its commitment to diversity as a core tenet 
     of the public interest standard in media policy; and
       (2) pledges to work with media entities and diverse 
     stakeholders to develop common ground solutions to eliminate 
     barriers to media diversity.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Pallone) and the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Walden) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey.


                             General Leave

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on H. Res. 549.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New Jersey?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 549, reaffirming the 
commitment to media diversity and pledging to work with media entities 
and diverse stakeholders to develop common ground solutions to 
eliminate barriers to media diversity.
  This resolution promotes much-needed diversity in the communications 
marketplace, and I commend Representative Demings and her staff for all 
their efforts towards this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I also thank Ranking Member Walden, Communications and 
Technology Subcommittee Chairman Doyle, and Subcommittee Ranking Member 
Latta for their work to bring this resolution to the floor.
  This past year has highlighted racial inequities that have long 
existed in our society, as we saw with the protests over the murder of 
George Floyd and the disparate impact that the COVID-19 pandemic is 
having on communities of color.
  These inequities also exist in our communications marketplace. For 
example, the owners of broadcast and media outlets do not reflect our 
diverse population. These media outlet owners make critical decisions 
about the educational, political, entertainment, and news programming 
Americans watch, and those decisions can influence people's opinions 
and perceptions.
  Diversity in viewpoints and diverse ownership of media outlets 
promotes programming that offers different perspectives and enables 
viewers to access programming that is relevant to them.
  A diverse media marketplace is also central to an informed and 
engaged electorate, which is critical to a vibrant democracy.
  Committing to a diverse media marketplace, one that reflects our 
country, is a worthy goal, and this resolution reaffirms that goal.
  Today's resolution is a good step forward, but there is much more 
that we need to do. The numbers and statistics are clear that our media 
marketplace does not resemble the people we serve.
  I hope we can come together to do the additional work that is needed, 
and I urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 549. This is a 
resolution introduced by my colleague, Mrs. Demings, that reaffirms the 
commitment by Congress to work with media entities and diverse 
stakeholders to find common ground solutions to eliminate barriers to 
diversity in our media.
  As a former radio broadcaster myself, I understand the efforts that 
the broadcast industry, and the media industry as a whole, takes to 
ensure diversity of ownership, viewpoint, and employment. My wife and I 
had to make those hiring decisions for our five radio stations. I know 
firsthand the business imperative to serve your community with local 
news and local programming that reflects the makeup of your community.
  While today's resolution focuses specifically on broadcast stations, 
this problem is not unique to one segment of the media industry; it is 
also an issue for their cable and digital streaming competitors in the 
marketplace.
  I appreciate the many steps that the industry has taken, not only to 
recognize and take responsibility for this, but also to put in place 
the many programs and initiatives to promote opportunities for women, 
minorities, and veterans. But as the data show, we still have room for 
improvement.
  While the House is considering this resolution today, it is my hope 
that we

[[Page H7067]]

can work together in a bipartisan manner to address the inequality 
identified in this resolution.
  Republicans on the Energy and Commerce Committee have put forward 
solutions to help uplift minority voices and promote media diversity, 
solutions that can actually become law, unlike this resolution before 
us today.
  Mr. Speaker, in September, the House passed H. Res. 5567, the MEDIA 
Diversity Act sponsored by Mr. Long, which would help us better 
understand the market and regulatory barriers for socially 
disadvantaged individuals to enter and compete in the marketplace. This 
bill would help us make informed policy decisions.
  I have also worked with advocates and industry alike to try to find 
consensus on legislation to establish the long-sought broadcaster 
incubator program. Now, this would help increase the number of 
minority-owned broadcast stations.
  The Broadcast Diversity in Leadership Act, H.R. 8154, would encourage 
large, established broadcasters to work with aspiring broadcasters to 
break down barriers to capital and provide mentorship and experience to 
new, minority entrants. That is how we can ensure their long-term 
success in serving their local communities. We must better understand 
the problem before us and how best to incentivize all media entities to 
create opportunities for and lift the voices of underrepresented 
individuals.
  Today, we can affirm our commitment to working toward common ground 
solutions, as this solution states; but Republicans stand ready to work 
across the aisle to turn these common ground solutions into law.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Demings), the sponsor of this 
resolution.
  Mrs. DEMINGS. Mr. Speaker, first of all, I would like to thank the 
chairman and the ranking member for their support on this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, there is no doubt that media plays a critical role in 
how we see the world and how we see each other. When a child sees 
someone on the screen who looks like them, it can change their life.
  Mr. Speaker, as you know, we continue to struggle with ongoing 
disparities in housing, education, social justice, and even this 
ongoing pandemic. Whether in news, movies, TV, or music, who tells the 
story matters because diverse perspectives are critical to us 
understanding the entire story.
  I am grateful for our cosponsors and for my colleagues who will vote 
for this resolution today, and for the media representatives who 
partnered with us to move this legislation forward. As we continue to 
work together to unite our country, break down barriers, and strengthen 
our future, let's continue to utilize the powerful diverse voices who 
truly are our strength.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues for their support on this 
resolution.
  Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio 
(Mr. Latta), the top Republican on the Communications and Technology 
Subcommittee.
  Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 549. This 
resolution reaffirms the importance of having diverse representation 
across the media to better reflect their audience and serve the public 
interest. I urge my colleagues to support this pledge to eliminate 
barriers to media diversity and to reinforce our commitment to 
encourage diversity in media policy.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to spend the remainder of my time to 
commend the leadership of my good friend, the ranking member, Mr. 
Walden. Unfortunately, Leader Walden has decided to make this his last 
term in Congress, but his work at the Energy and Commerce Committee and 
his service to the people of Oregon will continue to positively impact 
our Nation for decades to come. It is going to be hard to imagine going 
to the committee without him at the helm on our side.
  You have been a steady force, just as your family, who has been a 
steady force when they took those wagon trains to Oregon on that trail 
back in 1845. You have never forgotten your roots, and you show that 
every day. I appreciate it because I know, under your leadership, you 
have helped many of us in committee. And I know, as your vice chair, 
you had a lot of confidence in me when you let me take over the helm on 
many a day and run the committee.

                              {time}  1300

  But as one of your subcommittee chairs on Digital Commerce and 
Consumer Protection and this Congress being the ranker on 
Communications and Technology, I appreciate that.
  And I know that, again, when I think about all of the things that you 
have worked on, especially in the last Congress and with the opioid 
epidemic, which claimed over 73,000 lives in this country, and you were 
at the helm of H.R. 6 and brought together all those bills, over 60 
pieces of legislation to help people in this country. And that is going 
to be a lasting legacy that we are going to have.
  So, again, we are going to appreciate you, but we also hate to see 
you leave.
  And also, with all your telecom work, to have someone with that 
experience, as you mentioned in your opening remarks about you and your 
bride of 38 years, Mylene, owning the radio stations and being able to 
get out there and get the work done.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Latta) 
an additional 1 minute.
  Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, again, it has been a tremendous run with all 
the work that you have done. You have been a gentleman and a good 
friend.
  Something I learned from my dad from his 36 years in public service, 
and I will say it again on this floor. He said there is a difference 
between people who are politicians and public servants. He said a 
politician is a person who sees how much they can take from the people 
they represent for their own benefit, while a public servant sees how 
much they can give of themselves back to the people they represent.
  For what you have done for not only your constituents of your great 
State but also here in this body, we are going to miss you.
  So, Greg, and that is the first time I have ever used a first name on 
this floor, we are going to miss you. I am going to miss you, but we 
wish you all the best in the years to come.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I believe we had two other speakers planning 
to come down and speak, but it does not appear they have been able to 
free themselves from their other business.
  Mr. Speaker, I encourage us all to support this very strong 
resolution that our colleague has offered up, and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I ask for support on this legislation, and 
I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 549.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________