| This vote was on a resolution, offered by Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-S.D.), which overturned new rules proposed by the Federal Communications Commission promoting greater consolidation of ownership of the media and reducing local programming and diversity. The new FCC rules allowed a corporation to own television stations that could reach 45% of the nation�s households � the previous level was 35%. The new rule also lifted an earlier ban preventing the dominant TV station in a media market from merging with the leading newspaper in that same market. Passed: 55 Yea to 40 Nay. |