House kills delay of digital TV switch

In an unexpected move today, The House of Representatives voted 258-168 to not delay the switchover to digital TV from February 17 to June. The surprise is increased by the Senate’s unanimous vote yesterday to delay the switch, and by the reluctant acceptance by many telecom companies after the Senate vote was announced.

Rep Joe Barton, author of the original transition bill in 2005, led the charge to stop the delay. Barton sent a letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi stating that the proposed delay had no merit and actually harmed the country as the spectrum will be used in part by emergency services. Barton said in his letter, “Osama bin Laden isn’t fictional, and he isn’t waiting.” He is correct. Hopefully now that this crisis has been averted, our leaders can get back to more pressing issues.