Senator Arlen Spector (R-PA) today said that while the process on the Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. and XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. merger has taken a long time, a decision should reached by the end of the month to his knowledge.

Spector, who is the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, made the comment during an interview on The Howard Stern Show.

The Senator added that the core issue with the delay in coming to a decision was that there are complex anti-competitive considerations and that there generally isn't a sense of urgency over the case.

More than likely, at least in my opinion, Senator Spector is basing this estimation on the public comments made by FCC Chairman Kevin Martin. Martin stated, twice, that a decision on the Sirius-XM merger would be reached by the end of the first quarter. Nonetheless, it's encouraging to hear such a statement from someone as high ranking as Senator Spector.

Thanks to everyone who sent this in!