More Texas Support for Local Radio Freedom Act

posted on 10.18.2021

- State Leads Nation in Co-Sponsors

The Local Radio Freedom Act, which opposes efforts by the record labels to convince Congress to impose a Performance Tax on local Radio stations, has gained yet more support from the Lone Star State with the renewed co-sponsorship of Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin.

McCaul’s signature brings to 17 the number of Texas members of Congress siding with local Radio stations in the record labels’ long running effort which, if successful, would likely force many stations to abandon music formats or shutter altogether.

The broadcast industry collectively already pays hundreds of millions of dollars in royalties to songwriters, authors and composers through organizations like ASCAP, BMI, GMR and SESAC.

Two other lawmakers signed onto the measure last week, bringing the total number of bipartisan sponsors and co-sponsors to 193, 25 short of the 218 needed to achieve a majority.

Texas continues to lead the nation in the number of co-sponsors of the measure. Ohio is second with 14.

Lead authors of the resolution in the House are Reps. Kathy Castor, D-FL, and Steve Womack, R-AR.

In the Senate, the effort is being led by New Mexico Democrat Martin Heinrich and John Barrasso, a Wyoming Republican.

Texas Congressional Support
To date, the following Texas members of Congress have signed on as co-sponsors of HConRes 33:

• Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Lubbock
• Rep. Brian Babin, R-Woodville
• Rep. John Carter, R-Round Rock
• Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo
• Rep. Jake Ellzey, R-Midlothian
• Rep. Lance Gooden, R-Canton
• Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-Edinburg
• Rep. Kay Granger, R-Arlington
• Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin
• Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Richmond
• Rep. August Pfluger, R-Midland
• Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Waco
• Rep. Van Taylor, R-Plano
• Rep. Filemon Vela, D-Brownsville
• Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Dallas
• Rep. Randy Weber, R-Pearland
• Rep. Roger Williams, R-Weatherford

Texas members of Congress who’ve previously supported The Local Radio Freedom Act and whose renewal is still pending include:

• Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Lewisville
• Rep. Kevin Brady, R-The Woodlands
• Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Houston

Texas members of Congress who remain silent include:

• Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas
• Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio
• Rep. Michael Cloud, R-Victoria
• Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin
• Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso
• Rep. Pat Fallon, R-Sherman
• Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, D-Houston
• Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Tyler
• Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio
• Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Amarillo
• Rep. Chip Roy, R-Wimberley
• Rep. Beth Van Duyne, R-Irving

Texas members of Congress who have previously voiced support for a Performance Tax include:

• Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston
• Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston
• Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Dallas

Questions? Contact TAB’s Oscar Rodriguez or call (512) 322-9944.

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