WASHINGTON, D.C. — Before he successfully won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, Mike Flood was largely known as the man behind Flood Communications, owner of radio and TV stations across Nebraska. Now, he’s taking that experience as a broadcaster to the halls of Congress by teaming up with three other House Members to bring back a bipartisan “Broadcasters Caucus.”
Flood, along with Reps. Mark Alford (R-Mo.), Brendan Boyle (D-Penna.), and Darren Soto (D-Fla.), formed the Broadcasters Caucus for the 119th Congress with an aim “to educate Members of Congress about the challenges broadcasters face and to highlight the importance of local radio and television stations.”
Cue musicFIRST, which has again attempted to swap Members of Congress to support the pro-music industry “American Music Fairness Act.” Supported by Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and a handful of other legislators, it would place new royalty fees on broadcasters who play recorded music. The non-binding resolution dubbed the “Local Radio Freedom Act” has consistently squashed the AMFA, and appears to be doing so in the current Congressional session, too.
The Broadcasters Caucus could address that issue, along with others that groups including the NAB may be advocating. However, the caucus, however much Rick Kaplan and his team in the NAB’s legal office may want to sway it, will remain independently focused on the issues of local radio and TV stations owners.
Flood commented, “Broadcast journalism is the cornerstone of how Middle America receives its news. The significance of local radio and television stations cannot be overstated — they help connect communities to the news that shapes our way of life. As someone who grew up in the broadcasting world before coming to Congress, I know firsthand how critical this kind of advocacy is for broadcasters. I’m pleased to be joined by Congressmen Alford, Boyle, and Soto as co-chairs as we continue the caucus’ mission in the 119th Congress.”
Alford knows a thing or two about broadcasting, too. Before being elected to Congress, he was one of the most-recognizable morning show hosts on Kansas City television, helming FOX 4 News for Nexstar Media Group’s WDAF-4 for nearly a quarter century. He said, “Our time in the media gave us a front row seat to the stories that impact our constituents’ lives, as well as insight into how misguided public policy can harm the local radio and TV stations Missourians rely on. I look forward to working with Co-chairs Flood, Soto, and Boyle to educate our colleagues, bridge the partisan divide, and solve the issues that matter to the broadcasting community.”
Boyle helped launch a “Broadcasters Caucus” in 2020. He commented, “Both as a student broadcaster and as the Representative for the people of Pennsylvania’s 2nd district, I have seen firsthand how many Americans rely on our local broadcasters for the news they need about our communities and the world. I look forward to working alongside Congressmen Alford, Flood, and Soto to support the vital work of our local broadcasters.”
For Soto, who represents an area south of Orlando, Fla., “Helping lead the Broadcaster’s Caucus this Congress has been a privilege, especially as we work to amplify the voices of Central Florida. Our region’s diverse communities and dynamic growth demand that we stand together to ensure fair representation, and I’m proud to be part of this effort to strengthen the future of broadcasting for all.”
To little surprise, the NAB’s President/CEO, Curtis LeGeyt, shared that the association is “grateful” for the relaunch of the caucus in the current Congress. “These lawmakers recognize the vital role local TV and radio stations play in every community across the country. We look forward to working with the Broadcasters Caucus to advance bipartisan policies that allow local stations to continue serving their audiences with the trusted news, sports, weather and emergency updates they depend on every day.”
— With reporting by Adam R Jacobson, in West Palm Beach
