Sen. Kerry: Senate Win ‘Great Sign for Future’
In a guest post, Sen. John Kerry talks about the historic victory in the Senate to overturn the FCC’s media ownership rule changes.
As you guys probably know by now, we had a great victory last night in the fight against the FCC and media consolidation.
The battle isn’t over, of course, but the win last night — especially the way we won — is a great sign for the future, and a real testament to all of your hard work pushing this issue.
 Guest Blog Post by Sen. John Kerry |
We went in expecting to prevail, but we expected a fight. What we got was a voice-vote approval, only possible when the support is near-universal. This is important because the overwhelming Senate support for this resolution shows the political momentum is running strongly against the FCC on this.
The signal was sent loud and clear that Americans across the ideological spectrum oppose the FCC’s hasty and unwise actions around this rule.
From here, the resolution goes to the House, and considering the action in the Senate, I’m optimistic about what can happen there. But as you know, the most unpopular President in history has once again placed himself on the other side of the issue from the American people by threatening a veto.
The reasons given by the Administration are really nothing more than rehashing the justifications Chairman Martin and others have already put forward for this bill, justifications that were roundly rejected by the Senate yesterday.
Keeping diversity of ownership over local news outlets is as important as ever, and the American people understand that. And, thanks to the great work of activists like yourselves, the voices of ordinary Americans have overcome the entrenched media interests to get this historic victory yesterday.
If the President carries through with his veto threat, I’m prepared to fight for an override of this veto. If we get that far, I’ll be urging my Republican Senate colleagues to side with the American people over the wishes of this lame-duck Administration.
I do sincerely hope that this is a historic day in the beginning of the end of big media. I have to thank you Senator Kerry, for you ongoing and outspoken support of this vital issue. Thank you for listening to the American people, understanding our concerns, and taking a stand when we needed you to. This resounding victory is yet another shining glimmer of hope that our political system can recover from these dark eight years or turmoil and contempt, and once again represent the wills and dreams of the American PEOPLE, not the corporations who circle above us like bloodthirsty vultures.
May 16th, 2008 at 6:10 pm