Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND), chairman of the Democratic Policy Committee and a member of the Senate Commerce Committee and Appropriations Committee, is the latest Senator to publicly oppose the XM-Sirius merger. Dorgan sent a letter to Department of Justice Assistant Attorney General Thomas Barnett and FCC Chairman Kevin Martin opposing the proposed deal.

Dorgan writes that the two satcasters "have not proven beyond a doubt that these [other audio] forms amount to competition." He adds, "there can be no price check similar to that of two companies with national platforms competing against one another. The true moderator of XM and Sirius products and prices has been the satellite competition, just as the FCC intended."

Dorgan concludes, "I cannot believe that this merger will result in lower prices or increase diversity. And I cannot believe that the public will be better served by this merger. As I said in April and I still believe, this isn't even a close call. I urge you to reject the merger proposal by XM and Sirius."

The Senator's entire letter can be read here in PDF format.