Ensign Amendment Would Cut Box Subsidy

Sen. John Ensign (R-NV) and consumer groups appear to be on a collision course after word circulated that the Senator plans an amendment to budget legislation that would slash consumer subsidies for analog-to-digital television converter boxes. Legislation approved by the Senate Commerce Committee set aside $3 billion for such subsidies while a companion bill in the House reserved just $830 million. Sen Ensign's amendment, apparently, would set aside just one billion dollars. On Tuesday, AARP, the Consumer Federation of America, the Consumers Union and United States Public Interest Research Groups sent every U.S. senator a letter urging rejection of efforts to reduce the $3 billion.
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