Clinton enters battle over telecom bill: President attacks plan; aide cites veto threat

Article Abstract:

Pres Clinton issues a letter to Sen Ernest F. Hollings of the Senate Commerce Committee outlining objections to the telecommunications bill before Congress, and the president's chief economic advisor Joseph Stiglitz reiterates the president's commitment to vetoing an unsatisfactory bill. Clinton's letter targets proposals to allow regional Bell companies to offer long-distance service without receiving individual approvals from the Justice Department, as well as attempts to deregulate cable television prices. Clinton further demonstrates opposition to deregulating the number of media outlets a single company may control and to allowing telephone companies to own as much as 49% of local cable television stations. Both Clinton and Stiglitz emphasize the importance of fixing the telephone regulations, since that is the area with the largest economic effect. Local telephone service represents $100 billion annually, and log-distance services make about $70 million a year.

Political activity, Clinton, Bill, Stiglitz, Joseph E.

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For telecommunications bill, time for some horse trading

Article Abstract:

Congress takes up the telecommunications bill again in an effort to pass the deregulation bill by Christmas 1995. A House-Senate conference committee begins serious debate on Dec 6, 1995 as it attempts to resolve the differences between the bills passed by the two houses. The bill is unusually complex, since the decision on one issue often depends on the outcome of another issue. Observers believe the most-readily settled issue will be the determination of how many media outlets one company is allowed to own. Both the House and Senate versions ease restrictions on the number of radio and television stations allowed, but the House bill also allows companies to own a number of different types of outlets in a single market, a provision that is not expected to stand. The local telephone companies are fighting to protect universal service, which allows them to subsidize residential and rural customers and which may be threatened by competition.

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On $700 billion data highway, persuasion has a polite frenzy

Article Abstract:

Lawmakers at the nation's capitol are working long hours to overhaul the communications industry and promote the information superhighway, and much lobbying action takes place outside the Senate's chambers. Senators must deal with many lobbyists, wanting to talk about their special interest. Lobbyists at the capitol see telecommunications reform legislation as paramount. Reform of the $700 billion industry will influence all facets of communication. The issues are complex, and voters have shown almost no interest. This void has been filled by a bevy of lobbyists and corporate executives, including local and long-distance telephone, cable television and satellite industry officials.

Internet, Government Activity

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