Net Neutrality – ISP Contributions to Bill Sponsors Upton and Walden

📅 February 18, 2015 - Late last month, Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI) and Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR) held a hearing to discuss congressional action on net neutrality. The representatives, who chair House committees that oversee the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), also released an early draft of a bill to regulate the open flow of information on the Internet.

The top four internet service providers (AT&T, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, and Verizon Communications) contributed $156,300 to bill sponsors Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI) and Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR) during the 2014 election cycle.

Consumer advocates have argued the draft proposal fails to adequately regulate net neutrality, and instead voiced support FCC Commissioner Tom Wheeler's efforts to regulate the internet like a utility. The FCC is scheduled to vote on Commissioner Wheeler's proposal on Feb. 26.

DATA: MapLight analysis of campaign contributions from employees and political action committees of the four largest internet service providers (AT&T, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, and Verizon Communications) to the campaign committees of Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI) and Greg Walden (R-OR) during the 2014 election cycle.

Member

Amount Received


AT&T
Comcast
Time Warner Cable
Verizon
Total
Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI)
$10,000
$37,600
$21,500
$30,400
$99,500
Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR)
$5,000
$32,050
$14,500
$5,250
$56,800
Total
$15,000
$69,650
$36,000
$35,650
$156,300
The top four internet service providers (AT&T, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, and Verizon Communications) gave $99,500 to bill sponsor Rep. Upton during the 2014 election cycle.
The top four internet service providers (AT&T, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, and Verizon Communications) gave $56,800 to bill sponsor Rep. Walden during the 2014 election cycle.
Comcast gave $69,650 to bill sponsors Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI) and Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR) during the 2014 election cycle.

To view lobbying data for AT&T, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, and Verizon Communications please click through links.

Methodology: MapLight analysis of campaign contributions to Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI) and Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR) from PACs and employees of the AT&T, Comcast, Cox Communications, Time Warner Cable, and Verizon Communications, the four largest internet service providers in the United States, from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2014. Contributions data source: Federal Election Commission.

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