Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, today joined a bipartisan effort to ensure that residents of “orphan counties”—those assigned to Designated Market Areas (DMAs) based in other states—can access in-state broadcast programming. There are 16 orphan counties in Western Nebraska. 

Senator Fischer, along with Sen. Edward Markey (D-Mass.) and Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), wrote a letter urging the committee chairman and ranking member to implement solutions guaranteeing that all Americans have access to relevant, local television content.

“Not only do our constituents lack access to local weather updates, news about their favorite teams and information regarding community events, residents are also unable to follow proceedings and lawmaking at their state houses. They are disconnected from in-state opportunities for civic engagement and they are deprived of key sources of news that uphold our informed citizenry and maintain a healthy democracy,” the letter said.

Read the full letter here.

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