Reply from Thaddeus McCotter

Today I received an e-mail from Thaddeus McCotter of Congress in reply to the message I sent him regarding my opinion of moving the dtv transition date.  As you can read below, he agrees with me and what was said in my earlier blog post. (Click on the title or Read More to view the entire email.)

Dear Mr. ********:

Thank you for informing me of your opposition to delaying the digital television (DTV) transition. Your thoughts on this important matter are most welcome and appreciated.

I agree with you.

 As you know, Congress has made important commitments to providing high quality digital television broadcasts throughout the country within the next decade. Today, television signals are broadcast in two formats: analog and digital. Although analog broadcasts are freely accessible, at present digital broadcasts are only attainable through a cable or satellite provider. While both formats are still utilized, analog usage is declining as more televisions are manufactured to accept only digital transmissions. In 2006, Congress enacted the Deficit Reduction Act (DRA), which required analog broadcasting to cease beginning on February 17, 2009. Moreover, the DRA provided $1.5 billion in coupons to assist eligible households with the purchase of two digital-to-analog converter boxes; thus, allowing analog television viewers to enjoy digital broadcasts. Of greatest importance, this transition opens up the analog spectrum for emergency responders to address communications problems evidenced during September 11, 2001. As a result, any changes to the DTV transition date would put our emergency responders at greater risk and stall efforts to improve communications in the event of an emergency.

To raise awareness about the transition to digital service, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has launched a consumer education program, which provides useful information about digital television and, more importantly, the digital-to-analog converter box program through its website (http://www.fcc.gov and http://www.dtv2009.gov). Presently, government and corporations have spent over $1 billion to educate the public about the transition to digital television. Specifically, the website explains how to apply for the coupons (a maximum of two coupons per household, worth $40 each), which are valid after January 1, 2008.

To delay the DTV transition, on January 29, 2009, Senator John Rockefeller (WV) introduced S. 352, the DTV Delay Act. As enacted, this legislation delays the transition of television broadcasting from analog to digital to June 13, 2009. Likewise, it allows the NTIA to send out coupons through July 31, 2009. Finally, it authorizes the NTIA send one replacement coupon to individuals with expired coupons for each coupon which expired without before being redeemed. While the intention of this legislation is commendable, delaying this transition after so much education about to the February 17, 2009 deadline would only cause more confusion about the transition. On January 29, 2009, the Senate passed S. 352 by unanimous consent. Later, on February 4, 2009, despite my opposition, the House passed S. 352 by a bi-partisan vote of 264-158. On February 11, 2009, President Obama signed S. 352 into law (P.L. 111-4).

Rest assured, your thoughts on this important issue will be remembered during the 111th Congress. Again, thank you for contacting me; and for all you do for our community and our country. Should you have any further comments or questions on this or any other issue, please contact me at the Livonia or Milford district, or Washington, D.C. office.

I work for you.

Sincerely,

Thaddeus G. McCotter
Member of Congress