Wyden Puts 'Hold' On Telecom Bill

WYDEN PUTS 'HOLD' ON TELECOM BILL
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable 6/29, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) has put a hold on the video franchise/telecom reform bill that just passed the Senate Commerce Committee. The hold means that the bill could not be passed on unanimous consent, which is without a Senate floor vote and debate, but that is because to do so all 100 Senators would have to approve of it. By not approving of it, Sen Wyden automatically takes that option off the table. But the hold, which is a courtesy rather than a rule, anyway, does not prevent the leadership from scheduling a floor vote on the bill. But what might prevent that floor time is not having the 60 votes to block the filibuster Sen Wyden will likely employ. The leadership has indicated to Commerce Chairman Ted Stevens that he will need to line up those 60 votes. Senator John Kerry (D-MA) has indicated that Sen Stevens will not get the 60 votes without the addition of strong net neutrality language. But Sen Stevens has said Net Neutrality will be a poison pill, and has heard as much from the House side, whose bill also does not contain language expressly preventing discrimination in the provision of Internet access.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6348408?display=Breaking+News

* Stopping the Big Giveaway - by John Kerry
[Commentary] "I voted against this lousy bill for two reasons: because Net Neutrality and Internet build-out are crucial to building a more modern and fair Information Society, and both were pushed aside by the Republicans."
http://www.savetheinternet.com/blog/

* Blocking Telecom Could Become Campaign Issue
Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC) says the Republicans may be able to make the telecom bill an election issue if Democrats block the Senate Commerce-passed version from a floor vote. He says the bill is all about lowering cable rates. "If our Democrat colleagues block brining it on the floor for debate, it's just one more thing we can talk about in the area of obstruction.... The ability to move information around is so key to competing in a global economy, I think we can make it a campaign issue because it fits with a lot of other things that have been blocked that are really important to our future."
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6348755?display=Breaking+News