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H.R.971 / 103rd Congress

Multilingual Radio Act

Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Finance.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Feb 18, 1993

Multilingual Radio Act - Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to begin procedures to prescribe regulations to: (1) establish demonstration frequencies to provide multilingual amplitude modulation radio broadcasting services to large metropolitan areas with large multilingual populations; (2) require such demonstration frequency to be licensed in the New York City area; (3) create other demonstration frequencies, if possible, in other large metropolitan areas with large multilingual populations; (4) make such frequencies available for expanded services within a specified radio band; and (5) require the licensee of such a multilingual operation to devote a specified amount of air time per day and per week in programming other than English and a specified amount of time per day in instructional English. Directs the FCC to establish such frequencies as not-for-profit operations and award the license for such frequencies by comparative hearing to nonprofit groups with substantial experience in serving the needs of the multilingual and multiethnic communities.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Engel, Eliot L. [D-NY-17] · D–NY

Committees

  • Energy and Commerce Committee
1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Finance.

  2. Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

  3. Introduced in House

  4. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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

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: Aug 26, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.971 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.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.971 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.

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.971 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.

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.971 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.

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