Jim DeMint plans to get Democrats on the record re: the Fairness Doctrine

… with a vote he’s going to try and force next week:

Sen. Jim DeMint announced that he will force a vote next week on a bill that prevents the Federal Communications Commission from reinstating the Fairness Doctrine.

The South Carolina Republican’s bill, the Broadcaster Freedom Act, is co-sponsored by John Thune, R-S.D., and 27 others and will be offered as an amendment to the D.C. Voting Rights bill.

President Barack Obama is opposed to any move to bring back the Fairness Doctrine, spokesman Ben LaBolt said Wednesday.

But as Sen. DeMint notes in a statement, some Democrats in Congress have indicated that they would support a reinstatement.

Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, asked in a recent interview if she favored reinstatement, said: β€œI think it’s absolutely time to pass a standard. Now, whether it’s called the Fairness Standard, whether it’s called something else β€” I absolutely think it’s time to be bringing accountability to the airwaves.”

Back in June, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was asked by John Gizzi of Human Events if she personally supported the revival of the Fairness Doctrine, and she declared: β€œYes.”

As recently as last week, Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa said in an interview: β€œWe need the Fairness Doctrine back.”

Sen. DeMint stated: “I’m glad President Obama finally confirmed his opposition to the Fairness Doctrine, which attacks the right of free speech on talk radio, but many Democrats in Congress are still pushing it.

β€œWith the support of the new administration, now is the time for Congress to take a stand against this kind of censorship. I intend to seek a vote on this amendment next week so every senator is on record: Do you support free speech or do you want to silence voices you disagree with?”

Good for him.

Of course, this won’t be the first time Republicans have attempted to get the Dems on record (more here) on the issue of the Fairness Doctrine but it’ll be nice for this particular Congress to have their votes on record.

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