Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.) introduced his “Television Consumer Freedom Act” back in May, but Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut became the bill’s  first Democratic co-sponsor Tuesday.

The legislation would give Americans more control over what they watch on television by allowing them to buy individual television channels, instead of having to purchase the packages of channels offered by their cable providers.

“Consumers should not have to pay for programming they don’t want or watch,” Blumenthal said. “I am proud to join Senator McCain in this effort to give consumers the options they deserve.”

McCain’s popularity, especially among Democrats, has been on the rise lately.

He’s recently been in the thick of congressional business, helping draft an immigration compromise and negotiating a deal over  executive branch nominees that avoided a Senate meltdown over the filibuster.

He’s also been highly critical of fellow Republicans who refuse to negotiate with Democrats on a budget, calling them “wacko birds.”

(This story originally appeared at , the website of The Connecticut Mirror, an independent, non-profit news organization covering government, politics, and public policy in the state.)CTMirror.org