A total of more than 100 members of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate have co-sponsored the legislation opposing a potential performance royalty on radio. According to the NAB, two more U.S. Senators and a bipartisan group of over two dozen additional House Members now oppose "any new performance fee, tax, royalty, or other charge" on local broadcast radio stations. The Local Radio Freedom Act is now currently co-sponsored by 105 Members of the House and four Senators.

Since the introduction of the Local Radio Freedom Act, 32 Democratic and Republican House Members have joined the bipartisan coalition of the resolution's 73 original co-sponsors. Sens. James Inhofe (R-OK) and Pat Roberts (R-KS) are the latest lawmakers to sign onto its companion resolution in the Senate.

"Local radio stations continue to provide record labels and artists an unparalleled platform to promote music," said NAB EVP of Communications Dennis Wharton. "NAB is pleased so many lawmakers appreciate this partnership and stand opposed to any onerous new fees that would threaten the economic future of America's hometown radio stations."

As previously reported, Reps. Michael Conaway (R-TX) and Gene Green (D-TX) introduced the Local Radio Freedom Act (H. Con. Res. 16) in the House of Representatives on February 15 along with 71 additional co-sponsors. An identical resolution (S. Con. Res. 6) was introduced in the Senate on March 6 by Sens. John Barrasso (R-WY) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND).