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S 34 111th Congress Senate

Broadcaster Freedom Act of 2009

Official title: A bill to prevent the Federal Communications Commission from repromulgating the fairness doctrine.

Introduced: January 6, 2009 See on congress.gov
Science, Technology, Communications Administrative law and regulatory proceduresBroadcasting, cable, digital technologiesFederal Communications Commission (FCC)
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This bill died when the 111th Congress ended
It never became law before the 111th Congress (2009–2010) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jan 7, 2009
Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 12.
Jan 6, 2009
Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
Jan 6, 2009
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action January 7, 2009

Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 12.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Broadcaster Freedom Act of 2009 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), notwithstanding any other provision of any Act, from having the authority to require broadcasters to present opposing viewpoints on controversial issues of public importance, commonly referred to as the Fairness Doctrine.

 Related & companion bills 2
  • HR 226 Identical bill Broadcaster Freedom Act of 2009
  • S 62 Identical bill Broadcaster Freedom Act of 2009
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Cosponsors 11
All 11 Republican 8
R
Risch, James E.
Idaho · Apr 29, 2009
Burr, Richard
· Jan 12, 2009
 R
Barrasso, John
Wyoming · Jan 6, 2009
 R
Cornyn, John
Texas · Jan 6, 2009
 R
Crapo, Mike
Idaho · Jan 6, 2009
 R
Graham, Lindsey
South Carolina · Jan 6, 2009
Isakson, Johnny
· Jan 6, 2009
 R
McConnell, Mitch
Kentucky · Jan 6, 2009
 R
Thune, John
South Dakota · Jan 6, 2009
Vitter, David
· Jan 6, 2009
 R
Wicker, Roger F.
Mississippi · Jan 6, 2009
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 34: Broadcaster Freedom Act of 2009. 111th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/111-S-34/
MLA
"S. 34: Broadcaster Freedom Act of 2009." 111th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/111-S-34/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 34, 111th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/111-S-34/.
Markdown link
[S. 34: Broadcaster Freedom Act of 2009](https://openamerica.io/bill/111-S-34/)
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