WASHINGTON – Congressman Tom Cole voted for legislation today that would increase the fines for broadcasting indecent material by ten times. The Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act (S. 193) would increase the fine levied against broadcasters by the Federal Communications Commission from $32,500 per violation to $325,000 per violation. This bill passed in the House today.

      "We must hold broadcasters accountable for what they show on television, especially during family friendly hours when many children are watching," Congressman Cole said. "The fine increases in this bill will help further discourage broadcasters from airing indecent material."

      The Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act has already passed in the Senate and will now be sent to the President. This legislation only applies to broadcast television and radio and not programming transmitted via cable or satellite. 

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