WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO) announced that the U.S. House of Representatives approved S. 352, the DTV Delay Act, a bipartisan bill that would postpone the date of the digital television transition from February 17, 2009 to June 12, 2009.  By that date, all full-power television stations, such as ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, and PBS affiliates, must broadcast in digital format only. 

“The National Telecommunications and Information Administration, which is administering the converter box coupon program, announced in January that the funding ceiling for the coupon program had been reached and that all new requests would be put on a waiting list.
 
“Today, there are 1.8 million households, including nearly 4,000 households from Missouri’s Fourth Congressional District, on the waiting list to receive coupons.  Without a delay, the growing number of households on that list will likely not receive their coupons in time for the February 17 transition because of the time it takes to process coupon requests.
 
“I commend Congress for approving this bipartisan bill.  It will give Americans, particularly those in rural areas and the elderly, the chance to make the changes they need to keep their TVs working,” said Skelton.

          The U.S. House of Representatives approved S. 352 today by a vote of 264 to 158.  On January 30, 2009, the U.S. Senate approved the legislation by unanimous consent.  The DTV Delay Act will now be sent to the President, who has indicated that he will sign the bill into law.

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Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO) serves as Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee . For further information, please contact Rebecca Loving or Whitney Frost at 202-225-2876, or check Congressman Skelton’s website at http://www.house.gov/skelton.