Congressman Michael G. Oxley Fourth Ohio District OXLEY UNVEILS NEW LEGISLATION TO REVERSE FCC DECISION  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JANUARY 11, 2000
 
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. Michael G. Oxley (R-Findlay) today unveiled new legislation he has drafted to reverse a recent Federal Communications Commission (FCC) directive that restricts religious speech in America.  Oxley will introduce the legislation when Congress reconvenes on January 24.
 
"In our free society, the FCC has no business suppressing the expression of religious belief," Oxley said.  "I know the FCC will try to put a good face on this action, but the simple truth is the Commission is restricting those who express faith.  This is wrong, and it cannot stand."
 
Oxley's bill would reverse the "guidance" on this issue contained in FCC Order #99-393.  Additionally, it would require the FCC to use its normal rulemaking procedures, which include taking public comment, if it chooses to regulate this area in the future.
 
The issue arose when the FCC approved a television license swap in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on December 15 and made its order public on December 29, 1999.  In that order, the FCC added "guidance" stating that traditional religious services could no longer be counted as educational programming.  Stations that hold non-commercial television licenses are required to devote at least 50 percent of their weekly broadcasts to educational programming.
 
If the bill were enacted, it would nullify only the guidance section of the FCC order and would not affect the approved license swap in Pittsburgh.
 
Last week, Oxley wrote to Vice President Al Gore and to FCC Chairman William Kennard protesting the decision.
 
Non-commercial television licenses are intended to serve the educational and cultural needs of smaller audiences and under-represented populations.  General education programming had previously been defined as having its primary purpose be to meet "educational, instructional or cultural needs of the community."
 
Reps. Steve Largent (R-OK), Cliff Stearns (R-FL), Chip Pickering (R-MS), Tom Coburn (R-OK), Roy Blunt (R-MO), and Dick Armey (R-TX) will be original cosponsors of the bill.  Oxley is currently circulating the legislation, asking for original cosponsors from both parties.
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