• National Journal, Thursday, March 29, 2007 10:45 AM

An upcoming report form the Federal Communications Commission that recommends ways Congress can regulate TV violence has divided the agency's five members. But it got one pandering politician ready to expand its reach to cable, satellite and pay TV. Republican Chairman Kevin Martin and Democratic Commissioner Michael Copps, often at odds with each other, are pushing for a crackdown on graphic scenes and have approved the latest version of the report, insiders say.

Meanwhile, GOP Commissioner Robert McDowell and Democratic Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein are apprehensive about intervention, while Deborah Taylor Tate, a Republican, is expected to approve the findings. The document, requested by 39 Congressmen in 2004, has been the subject of speculation for weeks and is not ready yet.

But it apparently concludes that Congress can regulate violent TV images without compromising the First Amendment. Shortly after the report's release, Sen. John (Jay) Rockefeller, D-W.Va., says he plans to reintroduce legislation that would expand the FCC's "indecency" regulations to pay TV, allowing bureaucrats to regulate what Americans can see on cable and satellite, too. Should Rockefeller's bill pass -- a near certainty -- lawsuits are inevitable.

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