McCain Leaves Commerce Committee
After 22 Years on Panel, Former Presidential Candidate Steps Down
Ted Hearn -- Multichannel News, 1/21/2009 6:15:03 PM
Washington-- Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who helped the satellite TV industry gain access to local TV signals, said Wednesday that he has decided to give up his seat on the Senate Commerce Committee.
McCain,
who joined the commerce panel 22 years ago, issued a statement that didn't
provide a reason for his leaving.
"I look forward to my continued service on the Senate Armed Services Committee, where I will remain the ranking Republican member, and the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs," McCain said.
McCain was chairman of the Commerce Committee in 1999, playing an important role in passing the Satellite Home Viewer Improvement Act, a law which allowed DirecTV and Dish Network to provide local TV signals within the same local market for the first time. The provision of local TV signals greatly helped satellite TV compete with cable.
The top Republican on Commerce now will be Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas.
"Our country faces many challenges in the weeks and months ahead, including the upcoming digital television transition ..." Hutchison said in a statement.
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