Jerry Moran: “I co-chair with the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Tauzin) a task force on rural technology and have taken a long…”

“I co-chair with the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Tauzin) a task force on rural technology and have taken a long interest and a strongly held belief that if rural America is going to survive, it is going to be because we have equal access to technology and telecommunications. One of the issues that has impacted the constituents of Kansas greatly is this issue of whether or not they can receive local programming, local-to-local programming, on their satellite networks. A typical constituent letter: We live in Madison. We are unable to receive network programming, ABC, CBS, NBC or Fox, with a rooftop antenna that would be suitable to watch. For 20 years we have received our programming through a satellite dish. We now get network coverage from cities like Denver, Chicago, Dallas, and New York; but here is the problem: We cannot even qualify to access local broadcasting because we are in a designated marketing area that is too close to have local television. It matters to Kansans as a matter of public safety. Weather is important to us and agriculture, and I urge the passage of this bill and appreciate the consideration that our committees have given to this topic.”