Look for Build-Out Amendment, Says Upton

LOOK FOR BUILD-OUT AMENDMENT, SAYS UPTON
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
House Telecommunications and the Internet Subcommittee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) said that he expects several amendments to be brought up in the full House consideration of a national video franchising bill, perhaps as early as May 16 or 17. He did not predict what would happen to those amendments, but said that there would be a lot of votes for the underlying bill -- as many as 280-290. He said the House and Senate are doing some "side-by-side" on their respective bills, and hopes to meet with Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) later this week. "You don't want to just pass a bill in the House and never go to the Senate." Rep Upton remains confident that Congress will pass a telecommunications rewrite bill this session, either before the August break for elections, or in a lame-duck session afterward. That confidence was matched by Senate Commerce Committee staffers, who said that if they can get a bill into conference committee, they can pass it. Upton said he believed there could be a Senate vote on its version of the bill by July 4 and passage by the end of the month. The Senate plans two hearings on its bill in late May, followed by a tentative June 8 markup. That would put it on a track to get floor time by Independence Day. He noted that the Administration has been supportive of the House telecom bill.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6330669?display=Breaking+News

* This Too Shall Pass, Says Upton
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6330652?display=Breaking+News