The Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act of 2005 (S. 193) passed by unanimous consent in the Senate on Thursday, according to a report from the Adult Freedom Foundation (AFF) Monitor.
The legislation raises fines from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for broadcast decency violators from $32,500 to $325,000.
Senator Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) introduced the bill last January.
"I am glad the Senate took action and increased fines for broadcasters who show indecent material," he said. "Radio and television waves are public property, and the companies who profit from using the public airwaves should face meaningful fines for broadcasting indecent material.
"I urge the House to take action on increasing indecency fines so we can send a bill to the White House. It's time that broadcast indecency fines represent a real economic penalty and not just a slap on the wrist."
