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Friend — Why is it so critical for Congress to confirm Biden’s nominations to the FCC? Because without a full set of commissioners, many of Free Press Action’s key goals for media justice have been on hold. With a fully functioning FCC, we can finally restore Net Neutrality and the agency’s authority to regulate broadband, push the FCC to examine historical and present-day racism in U.S. media policy, and more.
Why is it so critical that the confirmations happen ASAP? Congress’ holiday recess is about one month away. If the Senate doesn’t confirm these nominees before then, in January the FCC will default to a 2–1 Republican majority — making it significantly harder to move any agenda items and undo the damage from the Trump presidency.
Please urge the Senate to confirm Jessica Rosenworcel and Gigi Sohn — two strong advocates for the public interest — without delay.
Net Neutrality remains a crucial issue that we must address while we still have the time and the opportunity. Before the pandemic hit, the Trump FCC had abandoned Title II — the statute that gives the FCC the authority to regulate broadband and enforce Net Neutrality rules. Without Title II in place, our government has no authority to tell ISPs that they must not cut people off from lifesaving services during the COVID crisis or other disasters.
Tens of millions of people have struggled to stay afloat during the pandemic, fighting to stay connected to jobs, schools and the rest of their lives without an essential internet connection. We know that when left to their own devices — and in the absence of strong safeguards at the FCC — broadband providers will abuse their powers if it benefits their bottom line.
Call on the Senate to get to work and confirm Biden’s FCC nominees now so we can restore Net Neutrality.
Restoring Title II and Net Neutrality is not something that will happen overnight, even with a fully functioning FCC. That is why we need Congress to step up and do its job now.
Tell your senators today: Don’t delay. Confirm President Biden’s nominees to the FCC now.
Thank you for everything you do for our movement.
In solidarity,
Heather and the rest of the Free Press Action team
freepress.net
P.S. Net Neutrality is also a critical issue to the movement for racial justice. The mainstream media have long misrepresented, ignored and harmed people of color — but the open internet allows people of color and other impacted communities to bypass traditional media gatekeepers to get their message out and organize. Please call on Congress to confirm Biden’s FCC nominees now so we can hit the ground running and reinstate Title II authority and Net Neutrality while there’s still time.
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