House Votes Against Digital Delay
Well what do you know. Today, House Republicans defeated the bill that would change the analog-to-digital transition date from Feb 17 to June 12. The Nielsen Company estimates that over 6.5 million U.S. households are still unprepared for the switchover and may lose their TV reception next month.
Why did the House resist the Obama-backed legislation, which passed the Senate on Monday? Reasons include the fact that a delay would cost the wireless companies and public safety agencies that are now waiting for the spectrum that will be freed up by the switch. Also, a delay would create costs for TV stations that would have to stay both analog and digital for four additional months.
Will House Democrats bring the same bill back to the floor, or will other lawmakers come forward with another bill that would delay the transition? To be continued, no doubt...
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