Providing for Consideration of HR 3717, Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act of 2004
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 3717, BROADCAST DECENCY ENFORCEMENT ACT OF 2004 -- (House of Representatives - March 11, 2004)
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Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chairman, public decency on the airwaves should be a subject on which we all agree. Alabama citizens, like the vast majority of Americans, respect and value the meaning of decency, and appreciate public institutions that reflect the common values of our society.
But what happens when one or more of those institutions repeatedly violate those standards of decency? In the past year, we have seen one or more of the major broadcast networks repeatedly and blatantly violate the Federal Communications Commission standards for decency, and openly flaunt the laws so clearly upheld in the courts.
CBS's halftime show during the 2004 Super Bowl was a new low for television, Mr. Speaker. Watched by nearly 100 million Americans, as well as my family and children, this 30-minute fantasy of filth managed to break all standards of decency, and brazenly shattered all concepts of responsibility and accountability for our Nation's public broadcasters.
Mr. Chairman, this must stop. It's time we hold the broadcasters accountable for their decisions and help take out the televised trash that continues to invade our homes. H.R. 3717, the Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act of 2004, will help turn the tide. The legislation brings accountability for those broadcasters who follow the rules, as well as penalties for those, like CBS during the Super Bowl, knowingly choose to violate them.
H.R. 3717 increases the FCC's penalties for broadcasting obscene, indecent, and profane language to $275,000 for each violation or each day of a continuing violation. The bill also limits the total amount assessed for any continuing violation to $3 million for any single act or failure to act.
As a co-sponsor of this bi-partisan legislation, I am pleased Congress has chosen to bring this to the House floor today. Let me be clear Mr. Chairman: I am not an advocate of censorship. Although I may find the type of programming seen during the 2004 Super Bowl and the 2003 Golden Globe Awards disgusting and disturbing, we must always work hard to defend the cherished freedoms so clearly outlined in our Constitution, including a healthy and free press.
But when those institutions that are charged with upholding the public trust refuse to live up to their responsibilities, someone must draw the line. The Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act of 2004 helps address the continuing degradation on the broadcast airwaves and helps send a clear message to the broadcast industry that Alabama families, like the rest of American families, have had enough.
Programs like the Super Bowl should be celebrations, not cesspools, Mr. Speaker. It is time we as a Congress rise to this occasion and pass this bill, and help stop the recklessness that has so unnecessarily invaded our homes.
Thank you and congratulations to you, Mr. UPTON, for your work in bringing this importance piece of legislation to the House today.