Bloodless Coup

Net Neutrality

Contact your Congresscritter:

In terms of the vote, well, we pretty much expected this, though we weren't sure whether we could keep the Dems unified.  They held under intense lobbying pressure from the telecoms.  I think it's fair to say that we've reversed the momentum on this issue, turning it from a little noticed 23-8 subcommittee vote in the House on April 5 to today's 11-11 tie in Commerce Committee and clearly what will be a contentious floor fight.  There's now a primary challenger against Al Wynn in MD-04, Donna Edwards, and the Verizon/AT&T/Comcast/Cox giants are in the process of turning their brand names into Walmart level territory.

George Allen, maverick McCain, and Conrad Burns all voted against a free internet.  Here's the amount of money they took from telecom PACs and associated individuals:

George Allen: $72,000
John McCain: $44,250
Conrad Burns: $162,600

Of course McCain sold out the goo goo groups when it mattered, and went with the corporate wing of the party.  No surprise there.

It's important to keep the pressure up prior to the floor fight.  If you live in one of these states, call your Senator and thank them/chide them for their vote on Snowe-Dorgan.  I've bolded the good guys.

Chairman Ted Stevens (AK): (202) 224-3004; (202) 224-2354 FAX
John McCain (AZ):  (202) 224-2235; Fax: (202) 228-2862
Conrad Burns (MT):  202-224-2644; Fax: 202-224-8594
Trent Lott (MS): (202) 224-6253; Fax: (202) 224-2262
Kay Bailey Hutchison (TX): 202-224-5922; 202-224-0776 (FAX)
Olympia J. Snowe (ME):  (202) 224-5344; FAX (202) 224-1946
Gordon H. Smith (OR):  202.224.3753; Fax: 202.228.3997
John Ensign (NV):  (202) 224-6244; Fax: (202) 228-2193
George Allen (VA):  (202) 224-4024; Fax: (202) 224-5432
John E. Sununu (NH):  (202) 224-2841; FAX (202) 228-4131
Jim DeMint (SC):  202-224-6121; Fax: 202-228-5143
David Vitter (LA):  (202) 224-4623; Fax: (202) 228-5061

Co-Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (HI): 202-224-3934; Fax: 202-224-6747
Jay Rockefeller (WV):  (202) 224-6472; (202) 224-7665 Fax
John F. Kerry (MA):  (202) 224-2742 - Phone; (202) 224-8525 - Fax
Byron L. Dorgan (ND):  202-224-2551; Fax: 202-224-1193
Barbara Boxer (CA): 202-224-3553
Bill Nelson (FL):  202-224-5274; Fax: 202-228-2183
Maria Cantwell (WA):  202-224-3441; 202-228-0514 - FAX
Frank R. Lautenberg (NJ):  (202) 224-3224; Fax: (202) 228-4054
E. Benjamin Nelson (NE):  Tel: (202) 224-6551; Fax: (202) 228-0012
Mark Pryor (AR):  (202) 224-2353; Fax: (202) 228-0908