Vote on Indecency Bill Likely in Senate

Long-stalled legislation to dramatically increase fines for broadcast indecency appears set for a vote in a Senate committee next week, a major development that could make each violation a six-figure headache for broadcasters by the end of the year.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.), would increase the maximum fines levied by the Federal Communications Commission from $32,500 per violation to $325,000. Support for the tenfold increase has been growing since singer Janet Jackson’s breast was briefly exposed during the halftime show at the 2004 Super Bowl.

Similar legislation has overwhelmingly passed the House of Representatives twice and the Senate once. But it has been derailed by parliamentary procedure and, most recently, the objections of powerful Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska).

Stevens has refused to allow his committee to consider either bill, saying he preferred that parents use blocking mechanisms such as the V-chip to protect children from obscene language, violence and sexual images. Broadcasters strongly oppose the higher fines.

But Stevens has scheduled Brownback’s bill for a committee vote next Thursday, according to a congressional aide who did not want to be named because the decision had not been announced. A lobbyist working on the issue also confirmed the May 18 vote. An aide to Stevens would not confirm the plan.

Conservative groups have been urging Stevens to allow a committee vote, confident that the increased fines would easily pass in a congressional election year. Last week, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) tried to break the logjam, attempting to put the House bill on a special fast track for a full Senate vote. But at least one unidentified senator blocked the maneuver.

Still, anti-indecency groups such as the Parents Television Council and Family Research Council continued to pressure Stevens.

“Once it’s on the floor and allowed to be voted, I’m sure we’re going to win,” said Tom McClusky, vice president for government affairs at the Family Research Council.