The House Agriculture Committee unanimously passed legislation last week that would authorize federal loan guarantees for any qualified entity that wants to deliver local TV to rural households that can't receive the signals over the air.(Brief Article)

Broadcasting & Cable, February, 2000

The House Agriculture Committee unanimously passed legislation last week that would authorize federal loan guarantees for any qualified entity that wants to deliver local TV to rural households that can't receive the signals over the air. The vote marks Congress' first step this session toward approving a bill that has wide support on Capitol Hill.

House Telecommunications Subcommittee Chairman Billy Tauzin (R-La.) said last week that his committee would "probably take a look" at the bill, since the Commerce and Judiciary committees have secondary jurisdiction in the House. House and Senate leadership last year promised to pass the loan guarantee program by April 1.