Common Cause Blog :: Net Neutrality Fight Moves to the Senate

Net Neutrality Fight Moves to the Senate

By Dawn Holian Iype
Posted on Mon Jun 19, 2006 at 01:10:08 PM EST

Common Cause summer interns join Sen.
Olympia Snowe in calling for net neutrality.

The Senate Commerce Committee has a chance to do this week what the House of Representatives failed to do earlier this month: Stand up to the big-money telephone and cable industry lobby and vote to protect our right to a free and open Internet.

Senators need to hear that their constituents back home care about this issue. You can find a list of Senators on the Commerce Committee and their phone numbers here. Please make a call today to urge your Senator to support the Snowe-Dorgan net neutrality amendment. The vote will take place on Thursday (6/22) so your calls are needed now.

This quote from a San Jose Mercury News editorial over the weekend sums it up well:

If you want the Internet to remain a force for innovation and free speech, urge our Senators not to sell off cyberspace to special interests.

Call today. Let us know what your Senator's office said by leaving a comment.

Tags: Media and Democracy, net neutrality, telecom, Senate (all tags)

Net Neutrality Fight Moves to the Senate :: 35 Comments

Boxer

I called and urged her to support the Snowe-Dorgan amendment. I also asked the woman who answered where Sen. Boxer is on the issue, and she said the Senator had not yet made comment on it. She said they had been getting a lot of calls in support of the amendment. Hopefully, we'll make a difference.

by sarahp on Tue Jun 20, 2006 at 02:35:41 PM EST

Net Neutrality

Called Lautenburg's office. They say the senator is for net neutrality but has not decided on what amendment he will support.

by bmarcel on Tue Jun 20, 2006 at 02:45:31 PM EST

Kerry

I called Sen. (really won) Kerry, and was told he supports the ammendment.

by bluestateblues on Tue Jun 20, 2006 at 02:50:52 PM EST

Kerry

I just called John Kerry's office. They answered right away, and told me that John Kerry will support the Snowe/Dorgan amendment.

Chris Pastor

by cpastor on Tue Jun 20, 2006 at 02:51:08 PM EST

Allen (VA)

I left a message with a staffer. When I asked about the Senator's stand on the amendment, he said that Sen. Allen has not made a statement about his opinion yet.

by didi613 on Tue Jun 20, 2006 at 02:51:13 PM EST

Net Neutrality/Boxer

I called Boxer's D.C. office and was told that she was "a co-sponsor of the bill". Is that correct?? Sure hope so.

by Shrimpboat on Tue Jun 20, 2006 at 03:08:13 PM EST

Senator Boxer (CA)

I was on hold for about 45 seconds, and then spoke with a staffer. I said I would greatly appreciate the Senator's support of the Snowe-Dorgan amendment, and I was informed that Senator Boxer is a co-sponsor of the bill. Hooray!

Regards, Steve K, San Francisco, frequent Internet user

by CapnGravy on Tue Jun 20, 2006 at 03:08:52 PM EST

Boxer

Just left message supporting Sen Boxer for supporting the Snowe-Dorgen amendment and was told she will get the message. If she doesn't support it I just made a fool of myself. However I think I am on safe ground.

by Glennolf on Tue Jun 20, 2006 at 03:09:00 PM EST

S 2917

Called Sen. Cantwell's office, spoke to young woman, who thanked me for my urging of Cantwell to vote for S 2917

by koog on Tue Jun 20, 2006 at 03:11:21 PM EST

S 2917

I called Senator Gordon Smith's office (Oregon) and spoke to an office representative. I asked him to urge the Senator to support S 2917. I was told my opinion would be "passed along to the Senator."

by mlezak on Tue Jun 20, 2006 at 03:16:21 PM EST

Net neutrality

I called Sen Smith's office, spoke with an office rep., conveyed I'm a constituant and urged Sen Smith to support the Snowe-Dorgen amendmanet. The clerk said he would pass that on to the Senator.

by LarryF on Tue Jun 20, 2006 at 03:20:47 PM EST

Boxer and Inouye

Both Sen. Boxer and Sen. Inouye are co-sponsoring the Snowe-Dorgan bill. Even though they are already on board, it does not hurt to call their offices to let them know that you support their position and are counting on them to do the right thing. Also, you can thank them for their leadership on this critical issue.

THANK YOU to all of you who are making calls!

by Dawn Holian Iype on Tue Jun 20, 2006 at 03:20:48 PM EST

Senator Gordon Smith on Net Neutrality

When asked if Senator Gordon Smith (Oregon) would be supporting the Snowe-Dorgan amendment, office staff in DC said that the Senator had not yet commented. The staffer then said he would pass on my support for the amendment.

Semi-retired Psychotherapist Navy Pilot 1964-1969 VN Combat Vet Co-founder, Veterans for Peace Discharged from Navy for speaking against Vietnam War

by Ken Scott on Tue Jun 20, 2006 at 03:22:27 PM EST

Gordon Smith - S2917

Staffer said Smith was in favor of the aim of the bill and did not want companies to control content or speed of specific content, was studying the language for possible unanticipated results, particularly any back door way the administration could do the corporations work for them. He asked my specific concerns. He said that there will probably be amendments before it is over.

by dbissell on Tue Jun 20, 2006 at 03:37:14 PM EST

Net Neutrality

I called Sen. Hutchison's office...had to try several times as the line was busy...and they thanked me for calling.

by bocrafter on Tue Jun 20, 2006 at 03:39:31 PM EST

Florida's Senators

Was able to get through to the policy wonk for Telcom issues at Sen. Martinez's office. I bent his ear for several minutes, and he took it very well. My pitch was that in Florida we have enough problems with hurricanes impinging on our ability to provide good stable service 24/7 than we don't need any more hands in our pockets, particularly hands that weren't around when we were building this thing and only want to cash in on the revenue streams now that their business models are evaporating.

Martinez (R) hasn't made up his mind yet, I was told (maybe he's still tallying up his campaign coffers), but I am not hopeful that he will bolt unless the pressure gets a lot greater. (The wonk made a tangential reference about taking care of it at the FCC -- this was last week, so I guess he was privy to the Stevens rewrite before Reuters was). The Stevens plan is lipstick on a pig. Under Martin, the FCC will be useless as regulators.

My first pass at Sen. Bill Nelson's office was deflected by the receptionist who read a script (in a somewhat passionless way) and outright lied to me about who the policy wonk was. (Don't they know that there are websites where the stafflists of their public offices are posted.)

I tried again a day later and was able to get to the voice mail of a person whom I believe really is the point person on telcom issues. (He had called in sick...I probably would have too).

I left a 2 minute pleading pitch (just short of getting down on one knee and crooning) about how important this is and how the senator can't let us down. Don't know how effective it will be. One reason BellSouth is in the RBOC winners' circle is that Florida politicos are so tame to monopolies they've been known to eat out of telcos and cable company's hands.

by PBCliberal on Tue Jun 20, 2006 at 03:43:29 PM EST

Allen , VA on S2917

I asked Staffer what Sen Allens position is and was told he has no public position.
I asked him to convey that I urge him to support
net neutrality and vote the Ammendment.
I also advised that I would be watching how he votes.
I am really surprised that so many our elected officials are afraid or unwilling to take a firm stand and defend that stand for constituents to be informed as to what motivates them.

George Michailow

by G Michailow on Tue Jun 20, 2006 at 03:43:51 PM EST

Allen , VA on Net Neutrality

I called an hour ago, the guy was so eager to hang up I don't know what he heard. The same staffer answered again, this time he took my zip code so at least they know I'm a constituent.

I said "Ma Bell is not my friend, don't give the carriers an excuse to double bill us for bandwidth we already paid for" but I fear Allen is the monopolists' pal who will help send our rates sky high without even making them build out rural Virginia.

by Devon on Wed Jun 21, 2006 at 02:41:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Net Neutrality

I called Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and left a message that I would like her to vote in favor of the Snowe-Dorgan bill. I was told that the message would be given to her.

by bethkwebb on Tue Jun 20, 2006 at 03:47:40 PM EST

net freedom

wv,jay "roc"afella, voting to protect the rights of the net..i called and that was the confirmation from his assistant. congressman mollohan,dem.wv..sold us out on the freedom of the net..i wrote and will be pulished a lashing against him in the charleston gazette,wv..i am so sick of our elected officals saling us the people out! and mollohan is a democrat!

by poe on Tue Jun 20, 2006 at 03:53:01 PM EST

Net Neutrality Amendment

I called Senator Lautenberg"s office and was told he supports net neutrality in principle but the person I spoke to didn't know how he felt about the Snowe-Dorgan bill. I urged him to vote for it.

by debchaiken on Tue Jun 20, 2006 at 05:24:29 PM EST

Cantwell - WA state

Called DC office. Staffer said Cantwell is looking into both sides of the issue. Urged her to vote in favor.

When asked what her concerns are, was told she is concerned about how Snow-Dorgan will effect consumers.

Also said she will announce a position soon.

Cantwell is very concerned with winning the more conservative East Side of the state. This issue seems to cross political lines -- perhaps the next person to call could ask the staff to remind her of that.

by kelstar on Tue Jun 20, 2006 at 05:28:41 PM EST

S. 2917 -- MS

I called and left a message urging Lott to support the Snowe-Dorgan net neutrality amendment.

by natalie on Tue Jun 20, 2006 at 05:33:28 PM EST

Net Neutrality - Senators Levin & Stabenow

I emailed my 2 Senators, neither of which are on the subcommittee, but will be involved in the vote when the bill moves to the Senate floor. Here is the text of my email to both:

We strongly urge your support and vote in favor of S.2917 - the Snowe-Dorgan amendment to the Stevens Bill, aka Net Neutrality.

The issue at hand is net neutrality, a seemingly obscure question of differential pricing for access to varied tiers of Internet service. The telecom companies don't want net neutrality; they want to add intelligence to the dumb pipes of the Internet backbone in order to sell their own video services (think of telcos as cable companies) and to charge owners of Web sites a premium to send information over the souped-up portions of the network. For example, a search provider might pay for a level of service that would guarantee its pages open at the fastest possible speeds, while a start-up competitor that couldn't afford the toll would be relegated to the slow lane.

If Social Security is the proverbial 3rd rail of politics, the Internet is fast becoming a competitor for that distinction.

The Telcos and cable companies make billions of dollars a year through network service provision. They have no right, and you should not give to them the means, to tier access to the Internet for a favored few who can afford to pay for premium service.

Do the right thing, Senator, and vote to approve Net Neutrality when the time comes to do so.

Respectfully,

Kenneth R. Richardson

by krodrich on Tue Jun 20, 2006 at 11:06:39 PM EST

Rockefeller D-WV

Young staffer said they "have been getting a lot of calls about that." Unfortunately, Rockefeller has had surgery recently and is not expected to make Thursday's vote.

by prfb on Wed Jun 21, 2006 at 10:03:12 AM EST

Nelson of Florida

Spoke with an aide in DC, she informed me that Senator Nelson was in favor of Net Neutrality.
Respectfully,
RG Odom
Pompano Beach, Fl.

by 2ndtry on Wed Jun 21, 2006 at 10:09:08 AM EST

Arizona Senators

Called both my Senators and as usual they both replied that they'd pass my comments on to the Senators. I'm pretty sure Kyl will vote against the amendment but I'm not sure about McCain.

by Healer98 on Wed Jun 21, 2006 at 10:17:09 AM EST

Martinez Florida

Aid informed me that the Senator thinks there should be more hearings etc. which translate to this voter as: W has not told Mel how to vote yet...But if prior votes gives you any indication, he will vote for big business and large donors.

RG Odom
Pompano Beach, Fl.

by 2ndtry on Wed Jun 21, 2006 at 10:20:08 AM EST

Senator Cantwell

Called her DC office was told she had not stated an opinion yet but was tallying calls pro and con for the Snowe/Dorgan amendment. I told her office that I was an Eastern Washington (Strong Republican area) constituent and that it was important that she participate in keeping the internet as free from restrictions of free speech and incursion into our personal privacy as much as possible. I urged her to support the amendment.
When I first called the person on the phone was rather "neutral" herself in tone of voice, but once I expressed my opinion her voice brightened considerably....so I hope the call helped.

by cweir on Wed Jun 21, 2006 at 10:25:10 AM EST

Florida Senators Nelson and Martinez

Senator Nelson's office indicated that he supports freedom of the internet but is not yet committed to how he will vote on this bill.

Senator Martinez's office said he wants to do further investigation on the issue before he commits on how he will vote.

by Wanda517 on Wed Jun 21, 2006 at 11:39:09 AM EST

Senator Lautenberg

I called his office and was assured by staffer that the senator is supportive of net neutrality.

by bethl on Wed Jun 21, 2006 at 01:29:06 PM EST

Snowe-Dergan Amendment (S.2917) to Telecom Bill

I called Sen. Ted Stevens' (of Alaska) D.C. office this morning, Wed. June 21, and asked the woman who answered to urge him to support and vote for the Snowe-Dergan Amendment (S.2917) to the Telecommunications Bill when it comes up for a vote on June 22. I pointed out that continued rapid scientific and technological advance, and hence U.S. economic competitiveness, is critically dependent on unlimited access by all to high-speed, broad-band Internet communications, and is dependent on the creative abilities of individuals, not on their ability to pay. She was courteous and said she would give him my message. --Craig Lingle, Fairbanks, Alaska

by snowman on Wed Jun 21, 2006 at 03:14:25 PM EST

Internet Neutrality

I called Senator Nelson's D.C. office and was
told the legal aide would relay my request to
him right away because the vote is Thursday.

by Sara013 on Wed Jun 21, 2006 at 05:51:00 PM EST

Net Neutrality Vote Today

I called all of the Senators who were not already supporting the Snowe-Dorgan amendment. Left messages for each since I had to make the calls after work (12 messages in all). Urged them to support the amendment and stated my opinion that the public is in favor of net neutrality and will be watching how the committee votes. Was able to leave a message for all but Nelson, Cantwell and Lautenberg--their mailboxes were full--and Hutchison and Allen who wouldn't allow me to leave a message. This is particularly irritating to me since I live in Texas. I've also contacted a great number of people regarding this issue and I'm amazed at how many are not aware of it.

by Diana Middleton on Thu Jun 22, 2006 at 11:23:44 AM EST

Called Hutchinson R-TX.. couldn't get a committmen

I called Kay Bailey Hutchinson's office ...she is on the Senate Committee which will vote on this bill. The young man who answered said her office had been receiving phone calls all week begging for Net Neutrality. He said the Senator had not indicated any stance yet. I told him that I was for keeping Net Neutrality and mentioned that Hutchinson was involved in protecting children from sexual predators. A vote against Net Neutrality is a vote to help pornographers and predators, because those are the sites that have the money to pay the big TELCOs for better accessibility. We should use this as a way to combat this assault on Net Neutrality.
We need to get USA Today and other big news sources to go to bat for Net Neutrality. I am getting more people to call Kay Hutchinson. I don't know if calling the other Texas senator would do any good. He is definitely up for sale to highest bidder...

by louise margarite on Fri Jun 23, 2006 at 05:03:24 PM EST

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Net Neutrality Fight Moves to the Senate

By Dawn Holian IypePosted on Mon Jun 19, 2006 at 01:10:08 PM EST

By Dawn Holian Iype
Posted on Mon Jun 19, 2006 at 01:10:08 PM EST