[Keefe]

A last-minute procedural twist Thursday night stalled a Senate bill aimed at softening the blow of new online music fees for struggling small Webcasters. Jesse Helms was reported as the Senator that threw in the monkey wrench, if that lamer is your congressman give him a call!

Small Webcasters, many of which have said they will shut down rather than start paying new royalty fees that come due this weekend, had pressed for the passage of the bill as a last-ditch effort to stay in business. Negotiations earlier this month had won the support of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for the measure.