WASHINGTON, DC - Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Full-Committee Republican Leader Greg Walden (R-OR), Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Mike Doyle (D-PA), and Subcommittee Republican Leader Bob Latta (R-OH) released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 5035, the “Television Viewer Protection Act of 2019," by voice vote. The legislation reauthorizes provisions of the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act Reauthorization (STELAR), which expires on Dec. 31, and addresses the retransmission of over-the-air broadcasters and multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs):
“We’re proud the House passed this bipartisan, consensus legislation that requires broadcasters and MVPDs to permanently negotiate for retransmission consent in good faith and allows smaller MVPDs to join together to negotiate collectively under the good faith rules. This legislation also protects consumers by requiring cable and satellite TV companies to disclose how much they will charge for their services, including any extra fees. We urge the Senate to pass this legislation before the end of the year so consumers are not left behind when STELAR expires," the leaders said.
