Congressman Issa Statement Following Judiciary Committee Unanimous Vote for American Music Fairness Act

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50) today made the following statement after the House Judiciary Committee unanimously voted in favor of Congressman Issa’s American Music Fairness Act:

“For more than a century, the creators of musical content have gone uncompensated, even as their art has been listened to, danced to, downloaded, and enjoyed year after year,” said Rep. Issa.

“Today, bipartisan consensus made history and delivered the right outcome for artists, and it is now time for all sides to come together and move forward. This vote was an important step and has set the stage for continued work that must be done.”

For decades, American terrestrial radio stations have not been required to compensate performers when they play their music – making the United States one of the only developed countries in the world with these outdated laws. The American Music Fairness Act closes this loophole and requires broadcasters, with an exemption for small stations making less than $1.5 million per year, to pay artists when using their work.

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Darrell Issa is the Representative of California’s 50th Congressional District. The District encompasses the central and northeastern parts of San Diego County and a portion of Riverside County, including the communities of Fallbrook, San Marcos, Valley Center, Ramona, Escondido, Santee, Lakeside, El Cajon, Temecula, and the mountain and desert areas of the San Diego-Imperial County line. Issa served as the Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform from 2011-2015