Billy Long Not Be Fighting for HAM Radio Operators After All: HR 607 Hearings Begin

On Billy Long's break from his tough schedule in Congress, he sat down with HAM radio operators who were upset with him over HR607. The bill takes HAM radio frequencies from the operators and puts them in control of the federal government to create (bigger government) an emergency broadband frequency that appears tied to the Internet kill switch.

After the meeting was over, the News-Leader reported the HAM radio operators were confident Billy Long would do the right thing and fight to ensure their frequencies were safe from the hands of "Right now, the bill is in its initial stages and this is one of many ways to address any concerns," the Springfield Republican said in a statement issued shortly after he met with operators Tuesday.

Long is a co-sponsor of H.R. 607, a bill introduced by U.S. Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security.

The bill is intended to strengthen the communications capabilities of first responders by reallocating certain frequencies.

"I will continue to listen to ensure that we are not cutting any vital emergency services and not adversely affecting ham radio operators," Long said in the statement.

Rod Kittleman, a spokesman for Southwest Missouri Amateur Radio, was present at the meeting.

"Everyone felt good after they left the meeting," Kittleman said. "Billy is trying to do the right thing."

The News-Leader reports today the HAM radio operators Long met with were soon forgotten about once he returned to Washington.

Public safety officials urged lawmakers Wednesday to pass a bill that would allocate certain radio frequencies exclusively to public safety -- legislation that ham radio enthusiasts say would limit their ability to broadcast during severe weather and other emergencies.

To offset the cost of this change, the bill would sell for commercial use the 420-440 MHz frequencies that amateur radio operators currently use for free.

But little mention of ham radio enthusiasts surfaced at the hearing. Witnesses and lawmakers focused on the bill's importance to first responders, who could use the so-called "D block" spectrum to develop a national wireless broadband network. This is the only recommendation of the 9/11 Commission that has not yet been implemented, witnesses said.

So what's new? Billy Long forgets about the people of Southwest Missouri yet again as soon as he touches down on the rotten Potomac soil.