The Telecommunications Industry Assn. (TIA) urged Senate leaders to take up the telecom bill (HR-5252), in a letter last week to Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) and Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.). TIA backs the bill抯 streamlined video franchise system, which the FCC would manage with 搇imited input by existing local franchise authorities,?the letter said. The group also supports provisions that codify net neutrality protection: 揥e urge you to allow time for floor debate on this legislation,?the letter said. Net neutrality is a wild card for Senate Commerce Committee Chmn. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), who must assure Frist he has 60 votes to avoid a filibuster. But even if Stevens gets the votes, Frist has said he doesn抰 want a pre-election battle over controversial amendments, and Sens. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) have said they plan to introduce net neutrality amendments.
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