Senate Democrats Block Efforts To Advance Telecom Proposal

Democratic senators are blocking Republicans from potentially using a pending "enhanced 911" bill as a vehicle for passing major telecommunications legislation, multiple Capitol Hill sources said. The goal is to keep the E911 measure from potentially being conferenced with House-passed telecom legislation. Such a maneuver would bypass the need for Senate floor action on a broader telecom measure spearheaded by Commerce Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska). The panel narrowly approved that language earlier this year, but it appears stalled now. The numerous challenges hampering Stevens' bill are fueling speculation that its supporters want to sidestep Senate floor action. In early August, a few Democrats anonymously placed procedural "holds" on the E911 bill when efforts were made to pass it by voice vote shortly before Congress adjourned for the summer. The legislation, S. 1063, would require the FCC to ensure that E911 service is available to Internet telephone customers but also would permit temporary waivers if compliance is not technically feasible.