With the DTV converter voucher program depleted and the FCC fumbling about like lost penguins in a jungle, Democrats are stepping in to request for more money.

Earlier today, the Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives proposed that taxpayers spend an additional $650 million towards continuing the digital television coupon program. The vouchers, set forth by congress to help consumers purchase DTV converters for analog television sets, quickly ran dry. With requests rapidly adding up on a newly implemented waiting list, government officials called to delay the analog switch-off altogether while others petitioned to request more money from Congress.

The $650 million DTV petition is actually part of the economic stimulus legislation unveiled today, proposing that Congress cough up $26 billion to computerize health records ($20 billion) in order to cut costs and medial areas, and provide high-speed Internet and wireless access in "under served" and rural areas. But even as Democrats debate for the additional funds, they are also preparing legislation to delay the analog switch-off until more funds are allocated, claiming that consumers are not ready for the switch.

As reported earlier, Federal Communications Commissions chairman and Republican Kevin Martin said that a delay in the upcoming analog-to-digital transition taking place next month might actually cause more confusion. On the commercial side, Verizon Communications stated that it opposes a delay in a letter to Congress, whereas AT&T said that a short delay would be acceptable. Even President-elect Barack Obama voiced his support in extending the transition date, and with 20 million households still relying on analog signals for television reception, going forward with the February 17 switch might be a risky move.

But as if in denial, the FCC still plans on the February date, announcing today that it approves the use of analog TV broadcasts for emergency information for 30 days after the transition. Households that have not already switched over to DTV will receive a notice on their screen in English and Spanish, providing a phone number for more information. In addition, consumers with analog reception will also have access to emergency weather and public safety information for the duration of the 30 days.

Whether the analog shut-off takes affect on February 17 or sometime thereafter, consumers still relying on over-the-air analog reception will need to purchase a digital television converter in order to receive the new signals. Despite what many claim, consumers do not need to purchase new antennas; manufacturers using DTV-specific advertisements are doing nothing more than implementing marketing ploys to take advantage of uninformed consumers.

But now that the government has run out of $40 coupons, millions of consumers will be left in the dark if analog signals are shut off on February 17. Although Democratic lawmakers are fighting to allocate more funds and push back the transition date to June 12, they suggest that consumers purchase a DTV converter without a coupon so that at least one television will receive the new signals if the switch actually takes place as scheduled.

Sen. John Rockefeller of West Virginia, the incoming chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, seems intent on changing the transition date. "Over 2 million Americans are waiting to receive a coupon to help them offset the cost of equipment that will help them manage the transition. Millions more don't have the proper information they need," he said.