"The Bush administration has apparently never seen a telecommunications merger it doesn't like. Its decision to approve the XM-Sirius merger without conditions is therefore unsurprising.

"If the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), after completing its analysis and consideration of the proposed merger, decides to approve it, I urge the FCC to appropriately condition any such approval to ensure consumer welfare with respect to long-term service plans and pricing as well as equipment compatibility and pricing. 

"In addition, the Commission should take action to ensure that the public interest values of diversity and localism are fulfilled with respect to satellite radio service in a manner consistent with congressional precedent, as Congress and the FCC did with respect to satellite television services."