[mountainstate] Fw: [announce] Landmark Telecommunications Bill Passes House and NowGoes to Whitehouse!

[donna brown]

Wow, what an end to a Wednesday evening! 

Just after 9:00 Eastern, the U.S. House of Representatives passed S.3304, The Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act an its technical corrections bill. The bills passed by a voice vote. This represents resounding bipartisan support. 

ACB as a steering committee member of the Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology (COAT) wishes to express our sincere appreciation for the tireless advocacy that Representative Ed Markey  (D-MA) and Sen. Mark Pryor (D-AR) demonstrated   through this long and difficult process. The blind and deaf-blind communities have  staunch advocates in both of these congressional leaders. 

It is also quite appropriate to express our thanks to the Chairmen of the House Energy and Commerce  along with the   Senate Commerce committee, Henry Waxman (D-CA and Senator Rockefeller (D-WV)  for the critical role they played in working with COAT and the Republicans on his committee so that 3101 could be bipartisan.  Thank you also to the Ranking Member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Joe Barton (R-TX) and Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL) along with Senators Hutchison (R-TX)  and Ensign (R-NV) for their willingness to work in a bipartisan way. As many of you know, bipartisanship is a rare occurrence in Washington these days. 

The next step in the process is for the bill to go to the Whitehouse for Presidential signature after which it will become  public law. The signing will take place in the next 10 days. 

 

In his remarks this evening, Rep. Markey mentioned me by name as having been a lead advocate for this legislation. It was an honor to be recognized but the credit should not go to me. The relentless support that ACB members have shown through this long and difficult process has been remarkable. I sincerely believe that if it weren't for the continuous advocacy of members that this bill would never have passed.  Congratulations to one and all on a job well done!  

 

 

 Eric      

 



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