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House GOP Blocks Bill to Delay Digital TV Transition (FAWN JOHNSON, 1/28/09, WSJ)

House Republicans on Wednesday derailed an effort to delay until June the date when television stations must broadcast in all-digital format.

House Democratic leaders brought the bill to the floor under a procedure intended for noncontroversial bills, requiring a two-thirds majority to pass. With Republican opposition, the 258-168 vote didn't meet that threshold. [...]

Reps. Joe Barton and Cliff Stearns on Tuesday sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, asking her to reconsider the vote. "This is panic on the way to becoming law," the letter said.