Washington - Mar 10, 2010 - Congressman Jerry McNerney (D-CA) introduced a companion bill in the U.S. House of Representatives to Senate bill 2881, which would authorize an engineering staff person for each of the five FCC commissioners. With a House bill now introduced, the legislation can move through the committee process of both chambers of Congress.

McNerney's introduction of the bill comes after representatives of the Society of Broadcast Engineers met with his Washington staff last week. SBE Government Relations Chairman Barry Thomas, CPBE CBNT and General Counsel Chris Imlay visited offices of several House members during the week of March 1 to garner support for a companion to the Senate bill introduced in January by Senator Olympia Snowe (D-ME) and co-sponsored by Senator Mark Warner (D-VA).

Upon hearing the news, SBE President Vinny Lopez, CEV CBNT said, "I am delighted that Representative McNerney has chosen to introduce this important legislation on the House side. This bill will go a long way to ensure technical excellence at the highest levels of the Commission."

McNerney is a second term congressmen representing California's 11th congressional district, which includes a portion of California's Central Valley. He has an engineering background and serves on the House Energy and Environment and Communications, Technology, and the Internet committees.

The number and text of the House bill is not available but will be linked when it is.