Congressman Michael G. Oxley Fourth Ohio District OXLEY CLAIMS VICTORY FOR FREE RELIGIOUS EXPRESSION  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JANUARY 28, 2000
 
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. Michael G. Oxley this afternoon claimed "complete and total victory for free religious expression" upon hearing that the Federal Communications Commission is backing off its December 29, 1999, order that would restrict religious broadcasting in America.
 
"Religious broadcasters and their listeners were a target for an FCC that sought to limit their freedom to express religious faith," Oxley said.  "It was wrong, and I'm thrilled that the FCC has seen the error of its ways."
 
The order inserted the FCC directly into the content decisions of religious broadcasters, a decision that Oxley said, in a January 6 letter to the Commission, was "wrong and cannot stand."
 
In response, Oxley introduced the Religious Broadcasting Freedom Act, H.R. 3525, which would repeal the additional guidance contained in the FCC's license swap order for the Cornerstone case in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  Currently, 77 members of the House have cosponsored the Oxley bill.
 
Oxley vowed to continue to carefully watch the future actions of the FCC with regard to conservative and religious speech.
 
Oxley thanked the thousands of citizens who wrote and called to express their outrage at the decision.  He expressed gratitude to the cosponsors of the bill and to Reps. Ralph Hall, Steve Largent, Chip Pickering, Cliff Stearns, Tom Coburn, and Roy Blunt who first joined him in the fight. more News Releases - home