In February, the Senate passed a law to ban the resurrection of the Fairness Doctrine requiring broadcasters to provide equal time for opposing viewpoints. Lawmakers voted Wednesday 87-11 on the ban, tacked as an amendment onto a bill giving D.C. residents representation in the House and Senate.

S.Amdt.573 prevents the FCC from reactivating the Fairness Doctrine, which was dismantled in 1987. It amends the 1934 Communications Act as follows:

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) introduced the amendment, which Democrats supported but noted the superfluity, since a White House aide already stated the President’s opposition. A few Democrats had previously saber-rattled about the Fairness Doctrine, smarting over their treatment by conservative media pundits. None, however, had introduced any type of legislation calling for a return of the Fairness Doctrine.

The bill will now go to the House. (See previous coverage and comments here.