The FCC is about to give massive internet service providers the power to divide the internet. It is at risk of becoming unrecognizable. A vital global utility that has been a boon to creative and economic freedom for people around the world may be turned into a twisted land of tolls and corporate control.
The stakes are high. The internet now touches every town, every city, and every single one of us — whether we use it or not. Those who control the network control the future.
The FCC is the current venue for this fight, but Congress will eventually intervene. As telecom expert Susan Crawford argues, the FCC is “being outrageous” to force Congress’ involvement. And both net neutrality advocates and the telecom industry have asked for lawmakers to act. Advocates believe a law will make net neutrality more durable. But ISPs are betting they’ll be able to write the bill — because they’ve paid for the opportunity.
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$101 MILLION
This chart shows lifetime contributions from the telecommunications industry to sitting members of Congress and their leadership PACs, between 1989 and 2017, consolidated by party.
THE BIG THREE
This chart shows contributions from AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon to sitting members of Congress and their leadership PACs, between 1989 and 2017.
TOP EARNERS
The senator and representative from each party with the most in contributions from the telecommunications industry, from 1989 to 2017.
...[fill list of Senators and Reprsentatives getting contributions]...
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