John,

The bill has not yet passed, and Congress has not yet adjourned! The bill is still in conference and is being actively debated. The latest news I've seen (from today) is:

[Link: skyreport.com]
Clinton Official Urges DTH Bill Passage

Which is good news - it basically says that Commerce Sec'y Daley has written a letter to Congress urging them to get the bill done. He also hits on two important pro-consumer points: he is in favor of development of a new signal strength standard and opposed to strict must-carry rules. It also has a quote from a congressional staffer: "the feeling is the conference committee can complete its work over the next two days."

Something pretty much has to happen before 31 Dec.; that is the current date imposed by a judge when satellite companies will have to shut off (almost) everyone's networks. That would make for a LOT of unhappy people.