From Stop Comcast <[email protected]>
Subject Comcast's "absolutely unprecedented" lobbying blitz to kill net neutrality
Date October 25, 2022 12:17 AM
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Hi -- We wanted to make sure you didn't miss this email we
sent last week. -- The Demand Progress team

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Hi,

The Washington Post is reporting that Comcast has been waging an
“absolutely unprecedented” lobbying blitz to stop net neutrality by
blocking confirmation of President Biden’s nominee for FCC chair.

The campaign against Gigi Sohn has become viciously personal and has even
opened her up to attacks about her sexual orientation and threatening
phone calls and emails.^1

And now, with just weeks before the midterm elections and the end of the
Senate session looming, we’re running out of time to secure Gigi Sohn’s
confirmation.

Without net neutrality, the monopolies that control our internet access
can throttle data speed, block services they don’t like, and jack up your
internet bill with phony fees.^2

That’s why Comcast is hellbent on stopping Gigi Sohn.

[ [link removed] ]Pressure is rising on the Democratic-led Senate to act on net
neutrality before it’s too late. Will you make a donation to Demand
Progress Action to help fight to confirm Gigi Sohn as chair of the FCC,
restore net neutrality, and win other key reforms?

[ [link removed] ]Donate $10

[ [link removed] ]Donate $20

[ [link removed] ]Donate $40

[ [link removed] ]Or, donate another amount

When President Biden defeated Donald Trump, Trump’s FCC chairman and
former Verizon lawyer Ajit Pai resigned. It should have been only a matter
of time before Pai was replaced by a Biden nominee and net neutrality was
restored.

But then Comcast, Fox News, and an army of lobbyists went to work smearing
President Biden’s nominee, Gigi Sohn, using an enormous war chest to lobby
against her.

Just since the start of 2022, Comcast, AT&T, Verizon, Charter, and
T-Mobile together have spent over $28 million combined lobbying
Washington, with Comcast leading the pack at $7.36 million. The major
trade groups representing the wireless and cable industries have spent
another $13 million.^3

In the words of one net neutrality advocate, “It’s insane.”^4

As long as the tie-breaking fifth seat on the FCC remains open, the
commission is deadlocked 2-2 and unable to move forward on major policy
decisions like net neutrality.

The Washington Post quoted Demand Progress founder David Segal reminding
readers that the telecommunications industry “still wields extraordinary
political power” in Washington, and that they “stand to benefit from a
Sohn-less FCC.” That’s why we’re mobilizing massive grassroots pressure
alongside nearly 250 other organizations that have demanded that the
Senate vote to confirm Gigi Sohn before the end of this Senate session.

[ [link removed] ]This may be our last, best chance to save the free and open internet.
Will you make a donation to Demand Progress Action to help fight for net
neutrality and other key reforms?

With gratitude for all you do,

Tihi and the team at Demand Progress Action

[ [link removed] ]DONATE

Sources:
1. The Washington Post, "Biden’s internet promises in limbo amid long
battle over FCC nominee," [ [link removed] ]October 14, 2022.
2. EFF, "New Proposal Brings Us a Step Closer to Net Neutrality,"
[ [link removed] ]August 22, 2022.
3. Open Secrets, "Industry Profile: Telecom Services, 2022," [ [link removed] ]accessed
October 18, 2022.
4. The Washington Post, "Biden’s internet promises in limbo amid long
battle over FCC nominee," [ [link removed] ]October 14, 2022.
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