House Approves NTIA, FCC Funding

The House Wednesday passed a continuing resolution to keep funding the government. The bill included an extra $20 million to administer digital-TV-to-analog converter-box-subsidy coupons, as well as an additional $20 million to the Federal Communications Commission for DTV education. Both the FCC and NTIA asked for the extra money, with FCC chairman Kevin Martin saying this week that the commission would need at least that much for DTV-outreach efforts. The NTIA only asked for $7 million but said it might need to come back for more.