John,
Newly released lobbying disclosure data show that Big Cable spent more than eighty million dollars on lobbying in 2018—shattering their previous record.
AT&T and Comcast alone spent more than $15 million in 2018 to kill net neutrality.1
Why are they spending so much? Because they know that Ajit Pai's repeal of net neutrality could be tossed out by the courts any day now, and they want to make sure Congress won't step in and reinstate net neutrality.
We can't match Big Cable dollar for dollar, but we can beat them because we have the people behind us. WIll you donate to help rally the grassroots pressure we need to save net neutrality?
DONATE
The amount of money Big Cable has spent to kill net neutrality and retain control of the Internet is just mind boggling. In total, AT&T, Verizon, and the rest have spent more than a billion dollars on lobbying at the state and federal level.2
But no matter how much money they spend, they can't change the fact that net neutrality is wildly popular—and any day now, the courts could throw out the repeal because of the lawsuit from a coalition of 20 pro-net neutrality attorneys general.
When Ajit Pai killed net neutrality, he cut corners right and left. The law requires that he prioritize public safety—he didn't. The law requires that he act in a way that is backed up by facts and data, not act arbitrarily—he didn't. The law requires that he conduct a fair and open public comment process—he didn't.
If the judges throw out Pai's repeal, then Big Cable will immediately go running to Congress to pass legislation that allegedly protects net neutrality but in fact is written by telecom lobbyists.
We don't have Big Cable's deep pockets, but we do have amazing people power. We need to spend these final days before the court ruling preparing to take advantage of it to its fullest.
Will you donate to help us prepare our rapid-response campaign for the net neutrality court decision?
For the Internet,
Evan at Fight for the Future
Footnotes:
1. Comparitech: https://www.comparitech.com/internet-providers/isp-lobbying/
2. Comparitech: https://www.comparitech.com/internet-providers/isp-lobbying/
Fight for the Future works to protect your rights in the digital age.
