HOUSE TO LEAD ON TELECOM, BARTON TELLS INTERNET CONFERENCE

摘要

House Commerce Committee Chmn. Joe Barton (R-Tex.) said Wed. he抯 ready to deliver telecom bills he hopes President Bush can sign in 2006. 揑t抯 time to stop talking and to start working,?said Barton, saying he plans to meet next week with Ranking Member John Dingell (D-Mich.), Telecom Subcommittee Chmn. Fred Upton (R-Mich.), Ranking Member Edward Markey (D-Mass.) and Rep. Chip Pickering (R-Miss.) -- the main artisans behind the draft 揃ITs?telecom bill. His panel has made 搕remendous progress?on the bill and expects introduction in Feb. or early March, with a hearing and markup to follow, Barton told an Internet conference. The focus is readying the most accommodating bipartisan draft possible, and getting it out as fast as possible, Barton said.nn揟he first question out of the box will be: 慦hat are you going to do if the Senate won抰 take it up?挃 Barton said. 揑抎 like to say 慡hoot the Senate.?But I don抰 want to get off on that one,?he said: 揥e抣l come to that bridge when we have to.?Mindful of the brief legislative calendar, he said he thinks the House should demonstrate it抯 搘illing to act?rather than let the Senate move first: 揑f we just wait on the Senate, I don抰 see much happening,?Barton said.