Dingell: FCC should delay AT&T vote

AP ^ | 11-8-06

[Snickering Hound]

WASHINGTON — John Dingell, the incoming chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said Wednesday he wants the Federal Communications Commission to delay its vote on AT&T Inc.'s acquisition of BellSouth Corp.

Dingell, saying the combination raises a "significant antitrust question, sent a letter to the FCC asking that it hold off on the vote until after the new Congress convenes in January.

"I think it would be in their interest, I think it would be in the interest of the committee, and I think it would be in the interest of the public," he said Wednesday.

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin has delayed a vote on the merger three times as he negotiates with the two Democrats on the commission over what conditions should be placed on the deal. It has not been rescheduled since the last postponement earlier this month.

The Michigan Democrat said he has been "very helpful over the years to the different telecom companies," including the former Bells. "But I remind you our duty here is not just to the Bells _ our duty is to come forward with good public policy and to see the public interest is respected."

The FCC had no comment.

AT&T's acquisition of BellSouth, now valued at $82.9 billion, is being called the largest telecommunications merger. The combined company would generate $117 billion in revenue and operate 68.7 million local phone lines across 22 states stretching coast to coast across the southern United States and up through the Midwest.

It would employ 309,000 people, though AT&T said it plans to eliminate up to 10,000 jobs over three years.

[Snickering Hound]

And so it begins...

[Proud_USA_Republican]

Yep, here we go.

Up next, calling up CEO's to testify before congress because they are running profitable companies.

[Raymann]

Abolish the FCC, what willing companies do among themselves is none of the government business.

[NonValueAdded]

"I think it would be in their interest ..." whoa, put a veil on that threat, Dingell, at least a thin one!

[GnL]

What about Dingell-Norwood?

[Enchante]

Here we go, scumbags start throwing their weight around..... just wait 'till we see what we get from Conyers, Alcee Hastings, and friends..... talk about scumbags!!!

[YOUGOTIT]

John Dingell: Is this not the person who always supported the Communist against the American People?

[Viking2002]

I see that Dingellberry is already leaving trying to leave his power-drunk skid marks in the underwear of American politics. 'Course, he has been for years, I suppose.

[ground_fog]

What's hilarious is Nancy Pelosi says this "will be the most ethical Congress ever" when she is about to nominate an impeached criminal judge for the head of the judiciary. You can't make this stuff up lol

[jwalsh07]

Abolish the FCC

We can't even elect republicans in conservative parts of Indiana, how the hell are we gonna abolish the FCC?

[Viking2002]

Yeah, and President William 'Blow, Mon-uh, baby!' Caligula said the same thing not too long before he was impeached for getting the occasional Oral Office snarlin' from a fat intern. If that shrew thinks that last night was a sudden public infatuation with her and the likes of Waxman, Dingell, Howeird Dean, et al, then she'd better keep her broom fueled for a quick escape - about six months' worth of them in the Marxist media will cure most Americans of the case of rectal optosis they suffered when they allowed this to happen yesterday.