[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 14]
[House]
[Page 18252]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        VIDEO CHOICE ACT OF 2005

  (Mrs. BLACKBURN asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, the laws governing delivery of 
television programming in this country are outdated, and we have not 
kept up with emerging new technologies.
  I have introduced the Video Choice Act of 2005 to bring these laws 
into the 21st century.
  Current law requires that all companies interested in offering cable 
service or video service, as it is called in the industry, must 
negotiate an individual agreement with a local franchising authority. 
This mandate serves as a barrier to competition, effectively preventing 
new technologies from entering the market. The Video Choice Act of 2005 
will streamline the franchising process for new marketplace entrance 
and give American consumers choice over their video and cable service 
at a lower cost.
  Our telecommunications services are rapidly changing and expanding. 
Congress must act to ensure our laws do not crush innovation and 
competition.
  The bill is H.R. 3146. The gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Wynn) is the 
cosponsor on this legislation with me. I look forward to working with 
him for its passage here in the House of Representatives.

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