You have to hand it to Pat Robertson’s American Center for Law and Justice – they have got to be the only political organization in Washington DC that has its very own Senator who is willing to press its agenda in the Capitol every time it so much as issues a press release.
At least that seems to be the case judging by the fact that, lately, Sen. Jim DeMint’s political agenda seems to be determined primarily by the ACLJ’s communications office.
Just a few weeks ago, after the ACLJ started bogusly complaining that the stimulus legislation contained a provision that was discriminatory and anti-religious, it took less than a day for Sen. DeMint to make the issue his own and introduce an amendment to strip the provision from the bill, an effort which ultimately failed.
And now, just days after the ACLJ announced that it was “preparing a litigation strategy should the Fairness Doctrine be brought back to muzzle Christian broadcasting” and unveiled a petition signed by more than 200,000 people calling on Congress to pass the Broadcaster Freedom Act, which would prevent the return of the Fairness Doctrine, guess who is now pressing for such a vote?
That’s right, Sen. Jim DeMint – and this move comes despite the fact that President Obama just said that he does not support the Fairness Doctrine and that nobody has any plans to re-introduce it. But apparently DeMint just wants to make extra sure:
Although a spokesman for President Barack Obama said the administration wouldn’t pursue the revival of the Fairness Doctrine, Republican Sen. Jim DeMint, S.C., wants Senate Democrats to go on the record one way or another on the issue.
DeMint, chairman of the Senate Steering Committee, said on Feb. 19 he will offer the Broadcaster Freedom Act as an amendment to the D.C. Voting Rights bill next week. The Broadcaster Freedom Act was introduced by Republican lawmakers last month and prevents the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from reinstating the Fairness Doctrine.
“I’m glad President Obama finally confirmed his opposition to the Fairness Doctrine, which attacks the right of free speech on talk radio, but many Democrats in Congress are still pushing it,” DeMint said. “With the support of the new administration, now is the time for Congress to take a stand against this kind of censorship. I intend to seek a vote on this amendment next week so every senator is on record: Do you support free speech or do you want to silence voices you disagree with?”
It is getting to seem like the easiest way to figure out what is on Sen. DeMint’s agenda today is to look at what press release the ACLJ released yesterday.
