[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 16]
[House]
[Page 21887]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      THE BROADCASTER FREEDOM ACT

  (Mr. PENCE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, despite the fact that the so-called Fairness 
Doctrine was rescinded by the FCC nearly 20 years ago, some of the most 
powerful voices in Congress are calling for a return of this outright 
censorship of the broadcast airwaves of America. In response, we 
introduced the Broadcaster Freedom Act, legislation that would ensure 
that no future President could return to the Fairness Doctrine without 
an act of Congress.
  I am pleased to report, Mr. Speaker, that more than 140 Members of 
Congress have cosponsored this legislation to date. Last week, the 
current chairman of the FCC wrote to say that there was ``no compelling 
reason to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine.'' Its predecessor from 20 
years hence said that reimposing the Fairness Doctrine would be a 
``colossal mistake.''
  Mr. Speaker, let's say yes to the freedom of the press. Let's say yes 
to the freedom of the American people to choose when and how and where 
they get their information on government. I urge all of my colleagues, 
Republicans and Democrats, to join me in cosponsoring the Broadcaster 
Freedom Act this week.

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