McCain Cable TV Measure Gets A Fuzzy Reception

MCCAIN CABLE TV MEASURE GETS A FUZZY RECEPTION
[SOURCE: Congress Daily, AUTHOR: David Hatch]
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) is having difficulty lining up cosponsors for cable television legislation that he plans to announce this week -- and might have to go it alone when he unveils it, industry and congressional sources said. As of Monday, Sen McCain was still reaching out to other legislators, particularly Democrats, for support. The bill would reward incumbent cable operators and new video entrants -- such as the former regional Bell operating companies -- with relaxed franchise regulations if they carry programming on a per channel, or a la carte, basis. The introduction of the legislation has been delayed several times in recent months, partly to give Sen McCain more time to build support. Another reason for the holdup is that there is no clear legislative vehicle for McCain's bill. While Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-AZ) plans to mark up a sweeping draft telecommunications measure on June 20, he does not want it to include content regulation. McCain's bill is now expected to be unveiled no later than this Thursday.
http://www.njtelecomupdate.com/lenya/telco/live/tb-EUXO1148412581291.html