House Votes Down Fairness

House Votes Down Fairness Doctrine

Half of House Democrats contributed to a rare GOP win this week, helping pass an amendment by Rep. Mike Pence, R-IN, prohibiting the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from using taxpayer dollars to impose the Fairness Doctrine on broadcasters. The Reagan-era FCC abandoned the Fairness Doctrine, designed to direct broadcasters to present multiple viewpoints on issues.

Iowans split on party lines on the 309-115 roll call as Leonard Boswell, Bruce Braley and Dave Loebsack were among the 115 Democrats voting no. 113 Democrats joined the unanimous Republicans on the Yes side.

Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, D-IL, and Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-CA, both discussed reviving the Fairness Doctrine in a move that was widely seen as a shot at conservative talk radio.