Television Violence Reduction Through Parental Empowerment Act

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S657-658)

S.1811 through Congress

S.1811 keeps its number as it moves between the House and Senate.

SenateJan 31, 1994IntroducedOfficial record

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Separate related House measures (1)

These are different measures identified as related by Congress.gov. Their text and outcomes may differ; they are not the House stage of S.1811.

Related House bill: H.R.2888 Television Violence Reduction Through Parental Empowerment Act of 1993

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jan 31, 1994

Television Violence Reduction Through Parental Empowerment Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require that any television with a screen of at least 13 inches which is manufactured, or imported for use, in the United States be equipped with circuitry designed to enable viewers to block the display of channels, programs, time slots, and all programs with a common rating. Prohibits shipping in interstate commerce, manufacturing, assembling, or importing any such television except pursuant to rules prescribed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Requires such rules to provide performance and display standards for such blocking technology. Directs the FCC, as new video technology is developed, to ensure that blocking service continues to be available to consumers.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Dorgan, Byron L. [D-ND] · D–ND

Committees

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

0 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.

Feb 2, 1994
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S657-658)
Jan 31, 1994
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.
Jan 31, 1994
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S431)
Jan 31, 1994
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

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

Introduced in Senate · Jan 31, 1994 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

HR 2888 · Television Violence Reduction Through Parental Empowerment Act of 1993

Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.1811 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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Discuss S.1811, 103rd Congress: Television Violence Reduction Through Parental Empowerment Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/senate-bill/1811

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1994-01-31.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/s1811/BILLS-103s1811is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:05:19Z. 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 S.1811 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 S.1811 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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Discuss S.1811, 103rd Congress: Television Violence Reduction Through Parental Empowerment Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/senate-bill/1811

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1994-01-31.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/s1811/BILLS-103s1811is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:05:19Z. 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 S.1811 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 S.1811 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 S.1811, 103rd Congress: Television Violence Reduction Through Parental Empowerment Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/senate-bill/1811

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1994-01-31.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/s1811/BILLS-103s1811is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:05:19Z. 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 S.1811 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 S.1811 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 S.1811, 103rd Congress: Television Violence Reduction Through Parental Empowerment Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/senate-bill/1811

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1994-01-31.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/s1811/BILLS-103s1811is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:05:19Z. 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 S.1811 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.