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TO URGE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION TO OPPOSE THE PROPOSED MERGER OF THE ONLY TWO SATELLITE RADIO PROVIDERS OPERATING IN THE UNITED STATES.
Whereas, competition benefits consumers by lowering prices, increasing innovation, and increasing responsiveness to consumer complaints; and
Whereas, a competitive market for satellite radio now exists, benefiting consumers, musicians, and other entertainers; and
Whereas, the only two national satellite radio providers have proposed to merge into a single government-sanctioned monopoly; and
Whereas, the proposed merger of the only two national satellite radio providers will violate current Federal Communications Commission rules; and
Whereas, the merger will leave consumers, musicians, and other entertainers susceptible to the whims of a single company with unlimited market power to extract terms, conditions, and prices that are anti-competitive; and
Whereas, the combination of these two satellite radio companies will potentially restrict programming that is diverse and in the public's interest; and
Whereas, a government-sanctioned monopoly is harmful to consumers and the public and should be avoided. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the Senate of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, urge the Attorney General of the United States and the Federal Communications Commission to oppose the proposed merger of the only two satellite radio providers operating in the United States.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the President Pro Tempore of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the members of the South Carolina Congressional Delegation, the Attorney General of the United States, the Federal Communications Commission, and the Attorney General for the State of South Carolina.
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