WASHINGTON, DC-U.S. Congressman Mike Pence spoke in favor of the Broadcaster Freedom Act, a bill that would keep the Federal Communications Commission from reinstituting the Fairness Doctrine, on the floor of the U.S. House today. Pence's prepared remarks follow:
"The American people love a fair fight and so do I. And in the debate over America's future, we especially want to hear all the facts and all the arguments on every side of the issue. Unfortunately, some in our nation's Capitol want to achieve that result by bringing back what is known as the Fairness Doctrine, an archaic government regulation imposed by the Federal Communications Commission for decades that required broadcasters to present controversial issues in a fair and balanced manner.
"Now, that sounds acceptable enough but there is nothing really fair about the Fairness Doctrine. The Fairness Doctrine is a relic of America's broadcasting past and it should stay where it belongs, on the ash heap of broadcast history.
"Fortunately, two weeks ago 309 Republicans and Democrats in the Congress voted in favor of the Pence Amendment to prevent the FCC from reinstituting the Fairness Doctrine for one year. But while I was pleased with the bipartisan passage of this legislation, today we must open a second front to ensure that the Fairness Doctrine can never come back again.
"Today, in cooperation with colleagues in the House and Senators Norm Coleman, Jim DeMint and John Thune, we will unveil the Broadcaster Freedom Act, which will prevent this or any future administration from once again regulating the airwaves of America without an act of Congress.
"I urge my colleagues on both side of the aisle: Join me in cosponsoring the Broadcaster Freedom Act and preserve the free airwaves of America."
