Three Democratic Senators and five Democrats from Minnesota are the latest politicians to support the combination of HD Radio technology with new satellite radio receivers, if the XM-Sirius merger is passed. Sens. John Kerry (D-MA), Claire McCaskill (D-MO) and Ben Cardin (D-MD) have co-signed a letter to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, voicing their concerns over the proposed merger. The senators say that the inclusion of HD Radio technology in future satellite receivers is "an essential check against the merged entity using its monopoly power to stifle a promising new free, over-the-air technology." They also take issue with the plan to lease a number of channels to minority and non-commercial programming, asking for a greater percentage of the total spectrum to be leased, up to 20 or even 50 percent. However, the Senators conclude their letter by saying the FCC's best possible action would be to just reject the merger.

Five House Democrats from Minnesota have also written to Chairman Martin, echoing many of the same concerns. Reps. Timothy Walz, Betty McCollum, Keith Ellison, Collin Peterson and James Oberstar also suggest leasing out a larger percentage of the total satellite radio spectrum, as well as incorporating HD Radio capabilities into future satellite radios.

In other satellite merger news, Sirius announced on Monday that it sees approximately $400 million in savings for 2009, if it is allowed to merge with XM. According to Reuters, Sirius predicts the deal will close sometime in the third quarter of '08.