Cramer Praises Public Service Accessibility at State Broadcasters Meeting

Statement

Congressman Kevin Cramer praised the accessibility state television and radio broadcasters provide to public officials at today's annual awards luncheon of the North Dakota Broadcasters Association (NDBA) in Bismarck.

He also spoke about the importance of the broadcast spectrum being available to broadcast stations. Cramer is a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and its Communications and Technology Subcommittee, which has responsibility for telecommunications issues.

With the support of the NDBA, Cramer voted for H.R. 4986, the Ray Baum Act, which reauthorized the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and ensures viewers and listeners do not lose the lifeline connection local stations provide. It also creates new funds for radio stations, and low power TV stations and translators.

Cramer said the bill provides reimbursement costs to broadcasters who are forced to transition to new channels as part of an FCC broadcast spectrum incentive auction. This auction repacks some broadcast bands and assigns new channels to other stations. It also broadens the definition of "first responders" during disasters to include radio and television broadcasters.

"Preserving local broadcast stations and responsibly managing their stewardship should not be taken lightly," Cramer told the broadcasters. "Greater demand is increasing the value of the broadcast spectrum. But, I remain very committed to the fundamental principle that spectrum belongs to the people of this country and should be managed by the federal government."

While it is important first responders, charities and public service announcements are part of a broadcast station's public service responsibility, he thanked them for the access they provide to public officials. Cramer appears on four AM radio stations every week, and in the past year was on more than 200 shows.

"My only criteria for these shows are there is not screening of calls by the host," Cramer said. "I welcome the unscripted nature of each show and getting calls from those who disagree with me. The responsibility to talk to constituents has been very special to me in my five-and-a-half years serving in the House of Representatives. It is a tremendous tool for representing a small state with a very large congressional district."

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