Issue Position: Technology & Telecommunications - Indecency

Issue Position

In 2006, Congress passed the Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act. The bill provides for an increase in the penalties for television and radio broadcasters who violate the FCC prohibitions against transmissions of obscene, indecent, and profane material. The bill only increases fines, and does not create new prohibitions or expand existing prohibitions. I voted for the bill.

This legislation was the product of careful negotiations, and I believe it protects free expression while providing the tools to reasonably address major violations of indecency standards. I strongly support the First Amendment. Freedom of speech and expression are every American's birthright. However, it is reasonable to expect that broadcasters, who broadcast over public spectrum, adhere to standards of decency.

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