Congressional Reps Weigh In On Sirius / XM Merger
In what could only be called a surprise move at this point of the process, Congressman Charles Gonzales, (D- TX), Congresswoman Hilda Solis(D- CA). , Congressman Bobby Rush (D- IL) & Congressman Ed Towns (D-NY) applaud the efforts made by Sirius and XM and support the offer made by the companies. Didn’t see that coming, did you?
In a joint letter to Chairman Martin, they state in their letter:
“We are encouraged that XM and Sirius have offered to help improve the state of minority ownership and control of media outlets. While we recognize that this proposal is not true ownership of a media outlet, it is certainly a step in the right direction. Should the merger occur, we fully support this voluntary offer.”
[ Reps Letter ]
July 24th, 2008 at 12:10 am john Says:
They are just trying to save their democratic asses. They know full well for the most part 20 to 25 million people are pissed off at the democrats. Most reasonable people know full well what party held this merger up or tried to flat out stop it. Their are some of the most passionate people in the satellite radio sector weather it be as a subscriber or investor. Most will not so forget come election time.
July 24th, 2008 at 12:28 am Terrymr Says:
I think the problem is more one of a polarized FCC where the two minority members will oppose anything the chairman says. To be fair there were a relatively small number of congressmen opposed to this deal at all. Former Chairman Reed Hundt was in favor of the merger and opposed to the NAB despite being a Clinton appointee.
July 24th, 2008 at 1:44 pm Brian R. Says:
I can just hear the conversation: Shit, are you serious? It got through? After all the money the NAB spent to block it? Damn Bush appointees, I knew we couldn’t trust them.
Yeah, but now the merger is done. SatRad is here to stay… What do we do now?
Lets commend them and support the merger now! Maybe SatRad is going to develop their own PAC soon….