houseofrepresentatives
Latest
House of Representatives votes to block net neutrality
The net neutrality debate was sadly destined to be swallowed up by left-right posturing once the FCC voted 3-2 to impose a compromise set of access rules on the ISP industry, and it appears the ensuing political theater is nearing its zenith: the Republican-controlled House of Representatives voted yesterday to block funding for the FCC's proposed rules. We call it theater only because it's largely for show -- in order to take effect, the budget amendment would have to pass the Democratically-controlled Senate and be signed by the President, and neither of those things is likely to happen. What's more, the actual rules passed by the FCC have already been challenged in the courtroom by Verizon and MetroPCS, so it's not like the industry needs any additional help at the moment. Still, there's a part of us that's happy this issue is even being talked about at the highest levels, rather than being left to languish in administrative rulemaking hell like so many other FCC initiatives -- and we have a feeling we'll be talking about this for a long time to come.
iPad comes knocking on House of Representatives' door
It's oftentimes hard to gauge the proliferation of electronic devices into everyday life while looking at them from our little bubble of early adopter enthusiasm. A much better vantage point for these things can be provided from the arms of government, among the most change-resistant places on any planet, and American legislators are letting us know that tablets, not the children, are our future. Texas Representative Henry Cuellar recently took the House of Representatives floor with an iPad in tow, which broke with the chamber's etiquette if not its rules. He's not alone, however, in hoping that the House dispenses with its Omega Man-style prejudice against electronics and permits their widespread use by Representatives. If nothing else, distributing bills of law electronically should make a nice dent in the "multimillion" dollar budget currently set aside annually for printing. Let's make it happen, guys.
It's official: DTV "hard date" moved to June 12
After much wrangling, the DTV Delay Act has worked its way through the House of Representatives and will certainly be signed by President Obama, changing the cutoff date for analog broadcasts from February 17 to June 12. Don't expect this to bring a sudden end to digital TV confusion, since stations can switch prior to that date, and according to the FCC up to 61% will be able to. Since simply powering analog equipment costs thousands of dollars a month, OTA TV watchers will want to check their local broadcaster's plans as more than a few will be going ahead with the original date for better or worse. Got an unused, expired coupon? No need to head to Retrevo just yet, since you'll now be able to reapply to the again-funded coupon program. Of course, the FCC still has to figure out how to implement the new law, with only a few days to prepare, tomorrow's open meeting on the subject should be very interesting.
Digital TV delay bill to ride again next week?
Just when you thought it was safe to rescan your channels, the DTV delay is back, as the L.A. Times reports it could be up for another vote, and pass, as soon as next week. Chairman of the House telecommunications committee Rick Boucher expects the issue to return next week, while House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is apparently looking for away to hold another vote soon. While we wait for that to sort itself out, the NTIA pegged the converter coupon backlog at 2.6 million (a number expected to swell to 3.27 million in tomorrow's report) people as it waits for existing coupons to expire, and additional funds from from the economic stimulus legislation.
Proposed bill aims to set minimum auto sound levels
Fisker Karma's recently announced hybrid sports car that generates motor noise through some external speakers might have received a good bit of derision when it first made itself known, but it now looks like it may actually be a bit ahead of the game, at least if a bill expected to be introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives ever actually becomes law. As AutoWeek reports, the bill was apparently prompted by concerns that hybrid and electric vehicles are a little too quiet, and pose a risk to pedestrians, especially the blind. To address that supposed danger, the bill reportedly demands that the U.S. Secretary of Transportation initiate a study to determine if a minimum sound level is in fact needed and, if so, require that automakers comply with it (possibly as early as 2010).
Telecom immunity for domestic spying dies on House floor
The House of Representatives just took a long weekend break without voting on the Spy bill sent down from the Senate. As such, our beloved carriers' hopes for immunity from those pesky US privacy laws have disintegrated. At least for the time being -- the fight between the baddies and goodies (however you define that) isn't over by a long shot.
Unhappy Congress gets all up in FCC's business
Expressing concern over a few recent irregularities (or perceived irregularities, anyway) in the way the FCC is going about its business, the US House Energy and Commerce Committee is starting to put the smack down. In a bipartisan action, committee head John Dingell and ranking Republican Joe Barton have fired a communique over to FCC honcho Kevin Martin -- a Republican -- asking him to start saving all records and emails related to his work. Congress, regulated companies, and factions within the FCC itself have recently become dissatisfied with the way the Commission handles its policies and procedures, with Martin himself taking much of the heat for alleged improprieties in failing to properly disseminate information to FCC commissioners ahead of votes, pushing for votes while Congress is asking the agency do more research and investigation, and proposing widely unpopular policy changes. Analysts are suggesting that the move won't likely have a profound effect on the FCC's policy docket, saying the complaints seem to be more "procedural" in nature and that Martin may need to spend more time around Congress to keep 'em happy. If that's not punishment enough, we don't know what is.[Via Slashdot and Ars Technica]
