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S.J.Res. 17: A joint resolution disapproving the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission with respect to broadcast media ownership.

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S.J.Res. 17: A joint resolution disapproving the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission with respect to broadcast media ownership.

108th Congress · introduced 2003-07-15 · Science, Technology, Communications · Latest: Held at the desk.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2003-07-15 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Sen. Dorgan, Byron L. [D-ND] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: 1 recorded vote in our records. Latest: Senate vote 348 (2003): On the Joint Resolution, SJRES17 (2003-09-16), Joint Resolution Passed. See all
  4. Where it stands now: Held at the desk. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

A joint resolution disapproving the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission with respect to broadcast media ownership.

Plain summary

RETURNED FOR REVISIONS (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Disapproves the broadcast media ownership rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and received by Congress on July 10, 2003. (That rule replaces the prohibition on common ownership of daily newspapers and broadcast outlets in the same market and the restrictions on common ownership of radio and television outlets in the same market with Cross Media Limits; revises the market definition and the way stations are counted for purposes of the local radio rule; revises the local television multiple ownership rule; modifies the national television ownership cap from a 35% national audience reach limit to a 45% reach limit, and retains the dual network rule.)

Congressional Research Service summary (Passed Senate without amendment), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

A joint resolution disapproving the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission with respect to broadcast media ownership.

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Passed Senate without amendment)

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Sen. Dorgan, Byron L. [D-ND] · 24 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Susan M. Collins (R-ME), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Richard J. Durbin (D-IL), Jack Reed (D-RI)

Agencies named in this bill

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Recorded votes

Words on this page, explained (2)
Joint resolution
In Texas, the type of measure the Legislature uses to propose a constitutional amendment (marked HJR or SJR). The governor does not sign or veto it; the voters decide. In Congress a joint resolution can also be used like a bill. In Florida, a joint resolution passed by three-fifths of the members of each chamber puts a constitutional amendment on the ballot.
Rulemaking
The process agencies use to write regulations that carry out laws passed by Congress or a legislature. Usually an agency publishes a proposed rule, takes public comments, then publishes a final rule.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong108-sjres17 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong108 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong108