More than 200 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives have now added their names as co-sponsors to the non-binding resolution opposing “any new performance fee, tax, royalty or other charge” on local radio stations.
The Local Radio Freedom Act (LRFA), known in the 119th Congress as “H.Con.Res.12,” has 203 co-sponsors, as Democrats Herbert Conaway of New Jersey and Patrick Ryan of New York’s Mid-Hudson Valley signed on Monday (11/4) to the resolution. So did Republican Vern Buchanan of Florida, following the addition of American Samoa’s non-voting Representative on Friday.
Reps. Steve Womack (R-AR-3) and Kathy Castor (D-FL-14) are the lead sponsors of the House version of the resolution; the LRFA also has 26 cosponsors in the Senate.
“This strong bipartisan milestone reflects what communities across America already know: local radio is essential,” said NAB President/CEO Curtis LeGeyt. “Even with Congress at a standstill, lawmakers are hearing loud and clear from their constituents that local stations matter. From lifesaving emergency alerts to local news, music and sports, free broadcast radio remains a trusted source of connection for Americans. Imposing a new performance fee would jeopardize this important medium and hurt the very listeners and artists radio supports. NAB thanks Reps. Womack and Castor for their continued leadership in standing up for local radio listeners.”
In contrast, the music industry-supported “American Music Fairness Act” — introduced by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) in the House and by Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) earlier this year — has 11 co-sponsors in the lower body of Congress and five in the Senate.
