The U.S. Senate voted 69-30 Thursday afternoon to reject an amendment by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., that would have forced broadcasters to switch to digital TV by April 7, 2008.

Legislation pending on the Senate floor sets the transition date for April 7, 2009, as recently approved by the Senate Commerce Committee. The committee’s DTV bill is open to amendments because it is part of a massive budget reconciliation package that is currently being considered on the Senate floor.