By David Hatch
(Tuesday, July 24) Rep. Charles (Chip) Pickering, R-Miss., will introduce a companion bill on broadcast legislation being championed by Sen. John (Jay) Rockefeller, D-W.Va.
The identical language reaffirms the FCC's authority to penalize broadcasters for "fleeting" utterances of profanity or unscripted airings of sexually explicit images during live programming.
The measures are aimed at bolstering the FCC as it faces court challenges by networks to fines imposed for unplanned violations of its content guidelines.
Rockefeller's version passed the Senate Commerce Committee last week.
The West Virginian is angling to strengthen the constitutional justification for a separate bill he is drafting to permit the FCC to regulate television violence.
The measure might be offered this week.
Brian Perry, Pickering's spokesman, said the House bill also might come this week, but might slip to September when the chamber reconvenes.
"He's working with some Democrats, hoping this will be a bipartisan, pro-family piece of legislation," he said.
Pickering is a member of the House Energy and Commerce panel, whose Telecommunications and Internet Subcommittee will hold an FCC oversight hearing today featuring all five commissioners.
A broadcast industry source said the most immediate impact of a lower-chamber version would be additional publicity for lawmakers and conservative and religious groups seeking to strengthen the FCC's authority.
House rules make it difficult for such a measure to pass quickly without a hearing or as an appropriations rider, the source said.
Dan Isett, director of corporate and government affairs at the Parents Television Council, which supports the legislative efforts, wants immediate action.
"I think it's important that it move as quickly as humanly possible," he said.
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