National Association of Broadcasters gives Congress static

The National Association of Broadcasters is pinching the nerves of some lawmakers on Capitol Hill, where tensions are already flaring with the end of the session fast approaching.

Some Democratic and GOP staffers say their bosses are tired of negotiating with the NAB on lingering policy issues because the trade association seems unwilling to hammer out a compromise. In particular, staffers point to NAB’s stubbornly pushing back on two pieces of legislation that have bipartisan support: one a bill that would allow the Federal Communications Commission to distribute more licenses to noncommercial, low-power local radio stations and the other a bill that would force broadcasters to pay royalties to recording artists when playing their music on the radio.