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Freedom of Speech Alliance: House Democrats once again shut down Republicans on Free Speech legislation In the House, Congressmen Mike Pence and Greg Walden made two separate attempts to get the Broadcaster Freedom Act (BFA) passed. This is a newly rewritten BFA - expanded to address not only of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)’s reimposition of the Censorship Doctrine, also mis-known as the “Fairness” Doctrine, but also the new potential threat of “localism” enforcement being used to stifle speech. Twice the Congressmen were stymied by the Majority, despite an overwhelming response from Americans who rallied to the phones to demand of their Representatives a full, fair up or down vote for the bill. Attempt #1 went down on Wednesday on a 7-4 Party-line vote in the Rules Committee, where the Congressmen were trying to add the BFA as an amendment to the Financial Services appropriations bill. Attempt #2 went down this morning when Speaker Nancy Pelosi blocked a procedural move to get the BFA a full up or down vote on the floor. All of this obstructionism from the Speaker and the Majority was in the interest of openness and bi-partisanship, of course. And most of all in the interest of adhering to and protecting the First Amendment. Also on Wednesday, the final two FCC Commissioner nominees had their confirmation hearing before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. They are Democrat Mignon Clyburn (daughter of South Carolina Democratic Congressman Jim Clyburn) and Republican Meredith Baker (daughter-in-law of James A. Baker III). Sadly, much like the June 16th hearing for now-confirmed FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, there was no in-depth probing of the nominees on the issues now most threatening to free speech on the airwaves – “localism” and “media diversity.” There was the pro forma “Fairness” Doctrine question, which Ranking Member Kay Bailey Hutchison again teed up for the nominees to pummel. And the entire process from the beginning was a fait d’accompli, with nearly every Senator in attendance declaring in their opening statements the relish with which they looked forward to voting to confirm. Entering the process with your mind made up is not the way to glean the answers we need to vitally important free speech questions, over which these two will hold so much sway. All in all, not a great week for the First Amendment, though I think the activity in the House gave us some things with which to work going forward. And Congressmen Pence and Walden and their staffs deserve tremendous credit for the wars they waged. Copyright Politically charged org. 2009 |