House Democrats Seek Hike In Converter Box Funding

When the House Energy and Commerce Committee takes up digital television legislation today, Democrats on the panel will seek to amend the bill with language that would substantially boost funding for subsidies for purchase of set-top converter boxes. A source said the House Democratic amendment would propose a subsidy of roughly $3.5 billion, putting the lower chamber on par with the Senate. House Energy and Commerce ranking member John Dingell (D-MI) and Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA) are said to be involved in crafting the amendment. Another planned Democratic amendment to the House bill would add $1.25 billion for communications equipment designed to help emergency responders communicate across jurisdictions. The Senate DTV bill includes $1 billion for that purpose, but the House Republican draft has no such funding.