Letter from Rep. Mike Oxley (R-OH) and others to VP Al Gore. Re: FCC decision regarding religious broadcasting. Date: January 6, 2000. Source: Office of Rep. Oxley.

 

January 6, 2000  The Vice President of the United States
Old Executive Office Building
Washington, DC  20501
 
Dear Mr. Vice President:
 
As you are undoubtedly aware, the Federal Communications Commission recently released an opinion and order singling out religious broadcasters for content regulation.  We are of the firm opinion that the order amounts to an unconstitutional restriction on religious expression.  We call on you, as the Clinton administration's most visible telecommunications policy maker, to weigh in with the Commission in defense of religious broadcasters.
 
In an adjudicatory proceeding, without broad public comment, the Commission ordered a license applicant to replace a portion of its traditional religious programming with FCC-approved "educational" content.  We are sure you agree that this represents an unacceptable suppression of religious speech.  The FCC is neither qualified nor authorized to pass judgment on the content of religious programming.
 
Washington bureaucrats have no business regulating the speech of religious broadcasters.  We urge you to condemn the FCC's actions and counsel the Commission to withdraw its order.
  Yours truly,  

Michael G. Oxley Fourth Ohio District	Chip Pickering Third Mississippi District
Steve Largent First Oklahoma District	Cliff Stearns Sixth Florida District