Tom Tancredo: “I wish to express my views on the legislation before us today. This legislation includes a requirement for Echostar…”

“I wish to express my views on the legislation before us today. This legislation includes a requirement for Echostar, better known as Dish Network, to eliminate the solution it developed to serve more Americans with local service than any other satellite TV company. The legislation would eliminate its "two dish" solution within 12 months. This requirement will cause consumer inconvenience and hamper the rollout of local programming. The "two dish" remedy maximizes the number of television markets that can receive local channels by utilizing the scarce spectrum available. I believe a better route to dealing with the lack of spectrum, which I know is a priority for you, is for this legislation to include a provision similar to that of the Senate Commerce Committee. That committee voted to allow satellite TV providers to offer High Definition TV service to markets where a local broadcaster is not even offering a digital signal. As noted in the Digital Transition Coalition letter which I will also enter into the Record, the freed-up spectrum could be redeployed to our Nation's first responders, auctioned to wireless companies eager to offer new advanced services, and raise funds that could be returned to the taxpayer or put to paying off the debt. I look forward to our continuing work on this legislation.”