Democrats Ask Pelosi to Reject Floor Vote on PRA

RADIO ONLINE | =w, ,

A group of 22 House Democrats sent a letter late Friday to House leadership, urging Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her colleagues to refrain from moving the Performance Rights Act to the floor for a vote. The legislation, sought by RIAA, would require local radio outlets to pay an additional fee for music airplay. A bipartisan group of 246 House lawmakers are on record in opposition to the legislation.

In a letter sent to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Majority Whip James Clyburn and Democratic Caucus Chairman John Larson, the 22 Democratic lawmakers wrote, "At this time, Congress lacks adequate information on the overall impact that this legislation could have on local radio broadcasters and the potential disadvantages to our local communities that depend on radio to create jobs and bring residents their local news, emergency information, weather, and information on the activities of their elected governments."

"We are further concerned by the assertions that this bill will unfairly divert money from our local communities and direct those funds primarily to large record labels," the lawmakers continued. "Accordingly, we urge you to refrain from moving H.R. 848 to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives until such time as the impact of this legislation can be fully examined."