FARNET's Washington Update

[Jeff.Ogden]

FYI

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Date: Fri, 29 Dec 1995 14:18:12 -0400
To: legup@farnet.org
From: heather@farnet.org (Heather Boyles)
Subject: FARNET's Washington Update

FARNET's Washington Update --- January 29, 1995

IN THIS ISSUE:

Telecom Bill's future uncertain as Congress breaks for holidays

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TELECOM BILL'S FUTURE UNCERTAIN AS CONGRESS BREAKS FOR HOLIDAYS

A supposedly "final" draft of a legislative compromise on
telecommunications may be circulating around Capitol Hill.  Reports this
week indicate that a 280-some page draft began making the rounds of
conferees last Friday afternoon.  However, it is unclear whether House
conferees have gotten a look at the document.  Gingrich seems to be still
contemplating whether to back the "compromise" or not.

The circulation of such a document probably means that conferees will
approve final language by adding their signature (as opposed to reconvening
to vote on the final language.)  Conference reports would then be filed and
the issue ready for votes on both the House and Senate floors.

Of course, such a scenario, assumes that this really is a "final"
compromise and no further rebellions occur from within the Republican
party.  Things may be looking up though.  The _Wall Street Journal_ in a
small blurb this morning, reported that even warring industry factions are
beginning to join together to push for passage of the bill.  On the other
hand, this also appeared to be the case last week, with industry supporting
the Dec. 20 deal, even as House Republican freshman were saying there was
"no deal."

The second problem is a slot for bringing the bill to the floors of both
houses.  Even though Congress has not officially adjourned over this
holiday period (which necessitates such things as yesterday's Senate
session which lasted from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00:32 a.m.), no votes are
scheduled at least until Jan. 3.  Further, odds are that IF a budget deal
is reached in the next few days, members would return to town to  vote only
on that issue and then would adjourn in earnest until Jan. 22 - the date of
the President's State of the Union address.  After that, it's anybody's
guess when the telecom bill could be brought to a vote. The WSJ this
morning predicted March.

In the meantime, real-world events continue to overtake many of the issues
in the telecom bill.  CompuServe's on-line service has announced that it
has suspended access for its users to certain Internet newsgroups which the
German government has identified as illegal under German criminal law.  Of
course, CompuServe didn't have to look much further than the Indecency
provisions of the pending US telecom bill for justification in suspending
access to such newsgroups - those provisions, as currently written, would
hold CompuServe responsible for any "indecent" materials found in those
newsgroups.  The chilling effect that many have predicted as a response to
mere suggestion of such legislation appears to have begun.

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Written from FARNET's Washington office, the _Washington Update_ is a
service to FARNET members and other interested subscribers.  If you would
like more information about subscribing to the _Update_ or would like to
offer comments or suggestions please contact Heather Boyles at
<heather@farnet.org>.




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