To provide additional coupons for the digital-to-analog converter box program and to expedite delivery of coupons under such program.

Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jan 23, 2009

Amends the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 to increase funding for the program to provide coupons for digital-to-analog converter boxes.

Directs the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to: (1) expedite the distribution of such coupons by delivering them via presorted first class mail service until February 17, 2009; and (2) continue such delivery after that date if the Assistant Secretary determines that doing so will significantly improve coupon redemption rates without jeopardizing the availability of administrative funds.

Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to extend through September 30, 2012 (currently until September 30, 2011), the authority of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to grant a license or permit under provisions relating to competitive bidding.

Read the summary on Congress.gov

PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Barton, Joe [R-TX-6] · R–TX

Committees

Energy and Commerce Committee

20 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Jan 26, 2009
Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet.
Jan 23, 2009
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Jan 23, 2009
Introduced in House
Jan 23, 2009
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Jan 23, 2009 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Feb 5, 2024. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

Explore the bill from different angles

Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.661 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.661, 111th Congress: To provide additional coupons for the digital-to-analog converter box program and to expedite delivery of coupons under such program.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/661

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2009-01-23.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hr661/BILLS-111hr661ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2024-02-05T14:33:01Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.661 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.661 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.661, 111th Congress: To provide additional coupons for the digital-to-analog converter box program and to expedite delivery of coupons under such program.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/661

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2009-01-23.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hr661/BILLS-111hr661ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2024-02-05T14:33:01Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.661 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.661 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.661, 111th Congress: To provide additional coupons for the digital-to-analog converter box program and to expedite delivery of coupons under such program.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/661

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2009-01-23.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hr661/BILLS-111hr661ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2024-02-05T14:33:01Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.661 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.661 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.661, 111th Congress: To provide additional coupons for the digital-to-analog converter box program and to expedite delivery of coupons under such program.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/661

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2009-01-23.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hr661/BILLS-111hr661ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2024-02-05T14:33:01Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.661 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.