"I've been contacted by many constituents who have lost access to local programming because current law prohibits satellite service providers from carrying local stations if customers can obtain a signal through a normal antenna," Smith explained. "This creates confusion about what qualifies as an adequate signal, is inconvenient for the customer, and simply leaves too many people without access to their local stations. The bill is a common sense, consumer-friendly measure." 

HR 4449, the Satellite Access to Local Stations Act, changes the law to allow satellite providers to include local broadcast stations in their basic service in the same manner and under the same restrictions as cable companies.

"It is important that Ninth District residents have access to local broadcasting like KING, KIRO, KCPQ, and KOMO," Smith said. "These stations have important local programming and news, and it's unfair to cut off satellite customers from the very TV stations that focus on their community."

Smith says he is hopeful that the bill will come to the House floor for a vote before the House adjourns. "I'm working very hard with my colleagues to see this bill come to a vote," he said. "This is an issue that affects communities throughout the United States, and I think there is a real commitment to fixing this problem."