Postponed: House DTV Bill Mark-up

The markup session on "H.R.__, The Digital Television Transition Extension Act of 2009" has been postponed. Chairman Henry A. Waxman's statement is below.

"The transition to digital television is not going well. There is not enough money for the converter box coupon program and millions of Americans could experience serious problems.

Delay of the deadline is our only hope of lessening the impact on millions of consumers. Without a short, one-time extension, millions of households will lose all television reception. Late last week Senate Republicans blocked a bill to delay the transition date.

I have postponed Committee consideration of the DTV markup to give the Committee more time to assess the implications of the Senate action."

On Wednesday, January 21st, at 1:30 the Committee will hold a business meeting to mark up H.R. __ the Digital Television Transition Extension Act of 2009. This legislation will help mitigate anticipated challenges for consumers posed by the digital television ("DTV") transition. The bill would postpone the DTV transition until June 12, 2009, so that efforts to prepare and educate consumers can be substantially enhanced by the incoming administration.