Satellite Home Viewer Reauthorization Act Of 2009

Floor Speech

* Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Madam Speaker, I rise today to oppose suspending the rules to pass H.R. 3570, the Satellite Home Viewer Update and Reauthorization Act.

* I understand this legislation must be reauthorized by December 31 to ensure satellite television viewers have continued access to local stations. In many rural areas--including large portions of my district--satellite television carriage of local stations is one of the only sources for up-to-the-minute news and weather. It is vital we maintain that link.

* I am pleased this legislation addresses two issues of concern to my constituents. It includes language allowing satellite carriers to provide in-state public television signals to all viewers in the state, regardless of television market, DMA. This means the thirteen counties in my district served by the Denver DMA will have improved access to the quality programming of NET--Nebraska's statewide PBS station.

* The bill also takes steps to encourage satellite carriers to carry all 210 DMAs. Currently, 31 DMAs, including the city of North Platte in my district, are not carried by either of the two major satellite carriers and another 76 are carried by only one of the two. These unserved and underserved markets are typically small, rural areas and are often in the greatest need of satellite carriage for distant viewers to receive their signals. I am pleased the bill takes steps to encourage their coverage rather than implementing strong new mandates on these private companies.

* However, I must oppose passage of this legislation under suspension of the rules. It does not contain language to address the needs of consumers in out-of-state DMAs who wish to receive in-state broadcast programming over satellite. Under suspension of the rules, no member will have the opportunity to offer an amendment to address this issue.

* Under this legislation the thirteen counties which would gain access to Nebraska public television would still be forced to watch local broadcast programming from the Denver DMA. This includes places such as Sheridan and Cherry Counties which are over 400 miles from Denver and have three closer and arguably more local markets unavailable to them on satellite--North Platte, Scottsbluff-Cheyenne, and even Rapid City, South Dakota.

* With this in mind, I must oppose suspending the rules to pass this legislation today in hope that this bill can be brought back up under a rule with the opportunity to make these needed changes for my constituents.

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