The Washington Post reports that Comcast waged an “absolutely unprecedented” lobbying blitz to stop net neutrality.

Hi -- We wanted to make sure you didn't miss this email we sent last week. -- The Demand Progress team

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.

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?

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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.

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

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

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