March 9, 2005

The Honorable Ted Stevens

Chairman, Committee on Commerce,

Science, and Transportation

United States Senate

Washington, DC 20510-6125

Dear Mr. Chairman:

In anticipation of the mark-up by the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

of S. 268, the ATraining for Realtime Writers Act of 2005,@ we would like to express the Administration=s opposition to establishing a grant program within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) for eligible entities to promote training and job placement for realtime writers.

We understand that this program was designed to meet the requirements for closed-captioning of video programming as set forth in section 723 of the Communications Act of 1934 and the rules prescribed thereunder. NTIA does not have the subject-matter expertise necessary to administer the program envisioned in S. 268. Moreover, the President’s FY 2006 Budget does not provide for the funding authorized under the bill. Accordingly, the Administration opposes enactment of S. 268.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide these views to you. The Office of Management and Budget has advised that there is no objection to the submission of these views from the standpoint of the Administration’s program.

Sincerely,

Jane T. Dana

Acting General Counsel

cc: The Honorable Daniel K. Inouye

Co-Chairman