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For Immediate Release
04/17/07
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Jenilee Keefe w/Inouye 202-224-7824
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Statement of Senator Daniel K. Inouye on XM-Sirius and the Public Interest
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This morning the Committee considers issues related to the proposed merger of the two satellite radio operators in the United States, XM and Sirius.
While satellite radio is relatively new, it has grown rapidly. Today, XM and Sirius provide audio entertainment services to more than 13 million Americans. These subscribers listen to satellite radio primarily while driving in their cars, but some also listen in their offices, homes, and on portable devices.
Despite such successes, Sirius and XM now argue they should be permitted to merge into a single satellite radio provider – a result that was explicitly prohibited when the FCC adopted service rules in 1997.
In the eyes of satellite radio operators, such a restriction is out of date given the availability of programming via alternatives like digital over-the-air radio, MP3 players and other means of receiving audio entertainment.
But to merger opponents, these arguments ring hollow. In their view, satellite radio offers a unique collection of nationwide programming that – as a whole – cannot be effectively replicated. As such, these alternatives complement, rather than compete with, satellite radio. Thus, to merger opponents, a satellite radio monopoly puts at risk the benefits of low prices and high quality services that only accrue from competing service providers.
Today’s hearing presents us with an opportunity to test these claims. While we welcome this discussion, I believe that the merger proponents, in this case, have a steep hill to climb. Indeed, given the public interest in promoting competition and maximizing a diversity of media outlets, we should be skeptical of claims that new technologies necessarily “change the equation” and provide competition sufficient to restrain monopoly power.
With that said, I look forward to hearing from today’s witnesses.
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26th - |
Commerce Committee Announces Ocean Acidification, Nobel Laureates, CAFE Hearings
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces the following hearings:
Science, Technology, and Innovation Subcommittee hearing on the 2006 Nobel Laureates for Wednesday, May 2, 2007, at 4:00 p.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building;
Full Committee hearing on the Pending Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) Legislation, fo...
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26th - |
America COMPETES Act Passes Senate
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night, the United States Senate passed S. 761, the America COMPETES Act, a bill to expand basic research and development, and promote math and science education. The Act includes a provision authored by Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii), an original cosponsor of the bill, which would direct the National Science Foundation (NSF) to develop a men...
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25th - |
Committee Announces Rescheduled ATV Safety Hearing Date
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce Science and Transportation announces the rescheduled date for the Consumer Affairs, Insurance, and Automotive Safety Subcommittee Hearing on ATV Safety for Wednesday, May 9, 2007, at 2:30 p.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building.
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23rd - |
Chairman Inouye Encourages Passage of Innovation and Competitiveness Bill
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) encourages the Senate to pass the America COMPETES Act, S. 761, which authorizes grants for the expansion and promotion of math, science, and technology research and development, as well as education programs from elementary through graduate school.
In a recent hearing on U.S. Competitiveness through Basic Research, Chairman Inouye not...
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23rd - |
Commerce Committee Announces U.S. Trade Relations with China Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce Science, and Transportation announces an Interstate Commerce, Trade, and Tourism Subcommittee Hearing on U.S. Trade Relations with for Wednesday, May 2, 2007, at 10:00 a.m., in room 253 of the
Russell
Senate
Office
Building
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20th - |
Chairman Inouye Introduces Identity Theft Prevention Bill
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii), along with Committee Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Consumer Affairs, Insurance and Automotive Safety Subcommittee Chairman Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), and Senator Gordon H. Smith (R-Ore.) introduced the Identity Theft Prevention Act of 2007 earlier today, which authorizes the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to protect consume...
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19th - |
Rural Air Service Hearing Announced
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation announces an Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security Subcommittee Hearing on Improving Air Service to Small and Rural Communities for Tuesday, May 1, 2007, at 10:00 a.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building.
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19th - |
April 25 Executive Session Agenda Announced
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation announces the agenda for its Executive Session scheduled for Wednesday, April 25, 2007, at 2:30 p.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building. The agenda includes:
1. Nominations for Promotion in the United States Coast Guard, (PNs 386 and 423)
2. S.357, Ten-in-Ten Fuel Economy Ac...
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17th - |
Trade Subcommittee Schedules Halliburton, U.S. Business Ties to Iran Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce Science and Transportation announces an Interstate Commerce, Trade, and Tourism Subcommittee Hearing on Halliburton and U.S. Business Ties to Iran for Monday, April 30, 2007, at 2:30 p.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building;
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17th - |
current Press Release |
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16th - |
Commerce Announces Broadband and Competitiveness Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce Science and Transportation announces a Full Committee Hearing on Communications, Broadband and Competitiveness: How Does the U.S. Measure Up? for Tuesday, April 24, 2007, at 10:00 a.m., 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building.
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12th - |
Statement of Senator Daniel K. Inouye
- The Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program has been under development since 2001 and despite $99.4 million in appropriations from Congress, it is still languishing at the Department of Homeland Security.
In our last hearing on this subject almost one year ago, we heard testimony about severe cost-overruns, contract mismanagement, excessive person...
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11th - |
Commerce to Address Free Trade in Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce Science and Transportation announces an Interstate Commerce, Trade, and Tourism Subcommittee Hearing titled Is "Free Trade" Working? for Wednesday, April 18, 2007, at 10 a.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building.
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2nd - |
VoIP, XM Sirius Subjects of Upcoming Commerce Hearings
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce Science and Transportation announces the following two hearings:
Full Committee Hearing on Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and the Future of 9-1-1 Services for Tuesday, April 10, 2007, at 2:30 p.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building; and
Full Committee Hearing on XM Sirius for Tuesday, April 17, 2007, at 10:00 a...
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Audio Clip | Video Clip
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