Sifter

The House this week voted 391-22 to seriously increase the maximum fine for broadcasting indecent material on TV and radio to $500,000. Right now the fines are $27,500 for the station’s license holder and $11,000 for the on-air personality. The FCC prohibits radio and television broadcasts from referring to sexual and excretory functions between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. The increased fine, in the works for some time, was moved to the top of the House’s “to-do list” when Justin Timberlake exposed Janet Jackson’s right breast during half-time of this year’s Super Bowl. The bill, called the “Broadcast Deceny Enforcment Act, also requires the FCC to review indecency complaints within 180 days and to reconsider a broadcaster’s license after three violations. Of California’s congressional representatives 40 (22 Democrats and 18 Republicans) voted yes; 8, all Democrats, voted no. The Senate has a similar bill that also addresses television violence. Listed are some of those votes.

Representative Party vote

Wally Herger R Y

Mary Bono R Y

Nancy Pelosi D Y

Doug Ose R Y

Richard Pombo R Y

Mike Thompson D Y

Maxine Waters D N

Henry Waxman D N

Robert Matsui D Y

Barbara Lee D N