Senate Defies Bush, Overturns FCC Ruling

[Nambe]

WASHINGTON (Reuters)

The Republican-led U.S. Senate on Tuesday defied Bush administration opposition and voted to rescind new regulations allowing large media companies to grow even bigger.

The Senate approved, 55-40, a resolution that would roll back the Federal Communications Commission rules allowing television networks to own more local stations and permitting conglomerates to own a newspaper, television stations and radio outlets in a single market.

The measure faces a tougher battle in the U.S. House of Representatives and a threat of a veto by President Bush if it reaches his desk. ---

[Rose Siding]

1. First OT, now this?

Rebel Senate

[underpants]

3. W/Frist/Lott can't hold the Senate together

Of course the MASSIVE outcry from the public put some scare into them too.

[Ergotron]

4. Nothing a politician fears more...

....than an angry, informed voter.

[MaineDem]

14. Lott voted Aye

Along with Dole, Hutchison (TX), Alexander, Collins, Snowe, Enzi, Chaffe, Allard, Roberts, Shelby, Voinovich

[NashVegas]

19. Even TN's Lamar Alexander!

I just sent him a note:

Question: On the Joint Resolution (S. J. Res. 17 )
Alexander (R-TN), Yea

Thank you for bucking the party of Michael Powell and consolidation-happy media companies.

[sonias]

2. fantastic news

Woo hoo! But of course the House will do the Nazi thing and follow Bu$h down the path to hell. I doubt bu$hman would veto it, with his poll numbers in the toilet. People are overwhelming opposed to it and he knows it.

Sonia

[edzontar]

6. I think the House has already voted AGAINST it

.....in big numbers, ile 400-15 or something.

Am I right?

In any case, its a BIG DEFEAT and MISERABLE FAILURE for "Skip" Powell, who should resign.

What lovely news!!!

[NewJerseyDem]

32. You are sort of right

There was never a vote in the House of Representatives. There was however an appropriations bill that passed the House that included a provision that overturned part of the FCC's decision. There was never a direct vote on that provision because the Republicans knew they would lose. However, the underlying appropriations bill did pass overwhelmingly but that includes a lot of different things, not just the FCC decision.

However, the complete overturning of the FCC decision is unlikely in the House because republicans are not going to allow a vote. Even though it would very possibly pass if there was a vote the republican leadership will try to stop it and a discharge petition is unlikely. So, most likely only part of the new rules will be overturned and I believe that is mainly the new 45% ownership rule which will be reduced back to 35%. Bush may veto that but I doubt he would want to risk a bigger battle with a lot of republicans opposing him.

[prolesunited]

5. Just let Bush veto it

Make sure to thank your senators if they voted to rescind this and keep the pressure on your reps.

[TioDiego]

8. Dumb question here

Where can we see a list of who voted what?

[Robbien]

10. Not a dumb question at all

Thanks to the Senate Watch thread, here is the link

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/r...

edit: Two dems voted Nay, Miller (GA) and Breaux (LA). Twelve Republicans voted Aye.

[oasis]

17. Zig Zag Zell Miller is no longer sidewinding. He's voting straight GOP.

[FauxNewsBlues]

26. It's like Zell Miller is spiting the party

Has he gotten this conservative? Or is he just voting straight White House for spite? I am getting stumped here. I remember him giving a speech at the 92 convention for Clinton, and he was full of fire, railing against the GOP. He wasn't a young man then. Why has he turned into such a tool? A great chunk of the GOP even split from the President on this one. Zell was the only democrat to vote in favor of the new over time rules too, again, with 6 GOP defectors siding with the dems. Can we do a switch. Maybe get a couple liberal republicans to switch in exchange for Miller?

[otohara]

29. Let's Not Forget Breaux...Voted With Thugs

on this one too! Make them go away. Why bother having two dem senators who vote w/ GOP 90+% of the time.


I'm screaming now......

[goobergunch]

33. DON'T make Breaux go away

He's not my favorite Senator, but would you want him replaced with Rep. David Vitter?

[mac56]

30. The aide in Zig Zag Zell's office is getting to know me by name.

I have called several times in the past months to find out why Zell doesn't vote with the rest of the Dems. I'm always polite, identifying myself as a constituent of the Senator and a lifelong Democrat. He always says he doesn't know the reasons, but will send a position paper when one is prepared. I'm still waiting.

add on edit: I called last week about the OT vote and today about the FCC.

[bread_and_roses]

11. A good question

...not dumb at all. You can go to:

http://thomas.loc.gov /

(although I don't know if this vote is up yet...but will be, it's a great site)

on edit, realized I gave you thomas instead of :

http://www.vote-smart.org /

where you can find individual voting records for your reps. Or go to Key Votes then to full member list.

[CheshireCat]

7. Victory feels good

even if it is only for one of many battles in the media takeover.

Keep the pressure on Congress! They have heard us.

[TioDiego]

9. Put that in your pipe, Rupert.

[Zhade]

28. Indeed!

Now, if we could just find a way to prevent him from taking over my employer...

[Chico Man]

12. And this was done without votes from Edwards, Kerry, Graham, and Leahy

Good work Senate!

[Rose Siding]

13. Where's Leahy? n/t

[stoystown]

15. I've heard the Senate has WMDs

Looks like it's time to invade them!!!

[dflprincess]

16. And, as always, that weasel Normie Coleman

voted the Bushco line. Apparently he hasn't read the memo that the ship is beginning to leak.

[calimary]

24. Good. Maybe he'll sink with it.

[Rose Siding]

18. How many votes would over ride a veto?

In the PC, McClellan said they don't have enough to get past a veto, so the threat must still be on!

[NashVegas]

21. 66, yes? Or 67

[Robbien]

22. You need two thirds to override, that is 67 votes

So even adding the four missing democratic votes, it falls far short of a senatorial veto.

[NashVegas]

25. I Guess it's Time to Make a Donation to MoveOn

Because if they fail to override a veto, any Dem candidate for 2004 who offers the possibility of pushing the rules back after taking office is going to have his ass nailed to the floor by the Liberal Media. If you thought Gore got hatcheted, it would be nothing like what we'll see next.

[goobergunch]

34. Yes

I'm happy this passed, but I think the appropriations route is more likely to succeed.

[jburton]

20. Wow!

Sen. Kay Baby Hutchison (R-TX) actually voted the correct way.

After all these years, I finally feel so *represented*

Seriously, I think she's scared of the lobbying from NRA.

[Bridget Burke]

27. Kaye has always been "not as bad as the other Senator"

from Texas. It was easy when Phil Gram was in.

After Phil left "to spend time with his family" (including his wife who was on the Enron Board), Cornyn is filling his shoes.

[sham]

31. I was surprised about her too!

I'm going to call and email her. This will be the FIRST time I have even come close to having anything positive to say to her. It may also be the last, but for now, I will enjoy the moment.

[4_Legs_Good]

23. Wooo Hooo!!

Ahhh,

Great work everyone!

david

Kucinich 2004