The Non-Commercial Broadcasting Freedom of Expression Act, H.R. 4201, was introduced in response to a decision by the FCC earlier this year that would have restricted religious broadcasting on noncommercial educational television channels.  Specifically, the FCC ruled that church services would not qualify as educational programming.  

 “The FCC ruling – done without the benefit of public comment or congressional input – would have forced some religious television broadcasters to alter their programming or risk losing their licenses,” Hall said.  “The FCC was wrong from both a procedural and a constitutional standpoint.” 

 Hall joined several Members of Congress – and thousands of Americans – in protesting this action by the FCC and calling for an immediate reversal of this ruling.  Shortly thereafter, the FCC vacated its ruling, but Hall and other Members believed that Congress should pass legislation that would clarify FCC authority.    

 H.R. 4201 expressly prohibits the FCC from regulating the content or number of hours of programming.  It makes it easier for religious broadcasters to obtain noncommercial educational broadcast licenses by making religious content acceptable for noncommercial educational stations and places it on a par with other educational and cultural programming.   

 “We need this bill to ensure that there will be no erosion of freedom of religious programming in America,” Hall stated on the Floor of the House.  “We need this bill to ensure that Americans will continue to enjoy the religious broadcasting that they have come to depend upon.  And we need this bill to ensure that the federal government does not become involved in regulating content of religious programming.”