Representatives Ted Deutch & Darrell Issa introduces bipartisan act

Representatives Ted Deutch (D-FL) and Darrell Issa (R-CA) will be joined by legendary artists Dionne Warwick, Sam Moore, Dropkick Murphys’ Ken Casey, and others to introduce legislation to ensure music creators are fairly compensated when their songs are played on AM/FM radio, which accounts for more than 8300 stations across the nation.

On Thursday, June 24th at 1:15 pm ET, Deutch and Issa are hosting a national press event alongside artist-advocates like Dionne Warwick and Sam Moore to introduce the American Music Fairness Act.

After COVID-19 disrupted artists’ financial stability, it is more important than ever that legislation is passed to ensure music creators are compensated when their music plays on FM/AM radio stations. The American Music Fairness Act will require that performing artists are paid for the use of their songs on FM/AM radio — just like they already do on digital streaming services.

This bipartisan bill is a response to the Local Radio Freedom Act that Steve Womack (R-AR) and Kathy Castor (D-FL) introduced last month and is championed by the National Association of Broadcasters, and bipartisan majority support in the House. The act is a resolution declaring that Congress should not impose any new performance fee, tax, royalty, or other charges that create economic hardships for locally-owned radio stations, with more than 70 cosponsors in the House. Additionally, US Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and John Barrasso (R-WY) are leading a companion resolution in the Senate.

“Arkansans and Americans across the nation tune into local radio for around-the-clock news, emergency alerts, and entertainment,” says Womack. “These stations are integral parts of our communities and economy, and it’s important Congress prioritize protecting access to over-the-air-broadcasting services. The Local Radio Freedom Act supports listeners and the viability of radio resources. I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bipartisan resolution.”

“I am proud to support our local radio stations who provide essential services to so many across the Tampa Bay area, particularly during natural disasters and the current pandemic,” Castor shares. “The Local Radio Freedom Act is a non-binding resolution that reaffirms Congress’s support for local radio stations and opposes new fees or taxes on local, free, broadcast radio which could jeopardize those very services upon which so many rely.”

Today’s event takes place at the US Capitol and will be livestreamed via Deutch’s Facebook page.