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Net Neutrality Attracts Surprising Allies

Supporters Include Sensenbrenner, R.E.M., Moby, Christian Coalition

By Martin H. Bosworth
ConsumerAffairs.com

May 18, 2006

Net Neutrality • Internet Providers Ponder Bandwidth Limits For Heavy Users • Comcast, Cox Caught Blocking BitTorrent • Will Antitrust Law Save Net Neutrality? • Few Are Neutral in Net Neutrality Battles • Net Neutrality Supporters Testify • Comcast Blocks Public From FCC Hearing • Congress Gets Net Neutrality Legislation • Time Warner To Test Metered Pricing For Broadband • House Committee To Probe FCC • FCC To Investigate Comcast For Blocking Net Traffic • Verizon Wireless Opens Network to All Devices, Software • Comcast Sued Over Internet Blocking • Verizon Overrides Internet Searches With Its Own Results • Comcast Blocks Subscribers From Some Services • Verizon's Abortion Block Raises Net Neutrality Concerns • FTC Nixes Net Neutrality • Wireless Spectrum May Hold Key To Net Neutrality • Telcos Lift Block On FreeConference.Com • FCC Takes Another Look at Net Neutrality • AT&T Blocks Calls To Competing Conference Call Service • Study: Ending Net Neutrality Would Hurt Consumers • FCC, FTC Challenged To Protect Net Neutrality • Net Neutrality Back on Congress' Agenda • Net Neutrality Opponents Step Up PR Blitz • AT&T Trumpets New TV Service • Verizon Joins BellSouth in Retreat From Unexplained New DSL Fee • FCC Nudges BellSouth Into Giving Up New DSL Fees • FTC Head Urges "Caution" On Net Neutrality • Net Neutrality May Derail Telecom Bill • Google: No Net Neutrality Means Antitrust Fight • Senate Prepares for Net Neutrality Showdown • Congress Moves Quickly To Satisfy Telecoms' Net Neutrality, Cable Entry Demands • Net Neutrality Gets Its Day In Congress • Net Neutrality Wins Committee Vote In Congress • Net Neutrality Attracts Surprising Allies • Congress Wrestles with Net Neutrality

Until recently, the phrase "stands up for the little guy" wasn't one you would readily append to Congressman F. James Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.), chairman of the powerful House Judiciary Committee.

Sensenbrenner is perhaps best known for refusing to hold hearings on granting bankruptcy relief to victims of Hurricane Katrina. More recently, he authored a House bill that would have criminalized all illegal immigrants and those that give them aid.

But when it comes to the issue of net neutrality, Sensenbrenner is on the side of the underdog.

After failing to get new updates to the Telecommunications Act of 1996 referred to his committee in order to add provisions defending net neutrality, sources on Capitol Hill say the committee chairman is preparing his own legislation that addresses the issue of Internet service providers blocking content or making consumers pay extra fees.

Although neither Sensenbrenner nor his office has commented publicly on the move, Rep. Rick Boucher (D-VA), who sits on both the Judiciary Committee and the Energy and Commerce Committee, told Multi-Channel News that Judiciary will be drafting new legislation that specifically addresses protections for net neutrality, and that he intends to be a co-sponsor.

The moves by the Judiciary Committee have slowed the pace of the new telecom legislation, authored by Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX), a staunch ally of the Bell telephone companies, from reaching the House floor. With the House soon to recess due to the Memorial Day holiday, hearings on the bill may be delayed until June.

Barton is pushing hard to get the updated telecom legislation passed, sending letters to every House member on May 15th urging them to support it.

In the letter, Barton claimed that his bill would support net neutrality by giving the FCC enforcement power to adjudicate any issue of blocked content or price gouging for service.

Sensenbrenner's countermoves may be a sign of displeasure over lack of respect for his committee. He recently criticized President Bush's border security plan for removing the felony provisions of his immigration bill—provisions he claimed the White House wanted.

In addition to the Judiciary Committee legislation, Rep Ed Markey (D-MA) has introduced his own "Network Neutrality Act of 2006" for consideration by the House. Markey twice attempted to amend the Barton bill with language preserving net neutrality, but was defeated.

Strange Bedfellows

Sensenbrenner isn't the only unexpected ally to join the coalition of interest groups, academics, bloggers, and celebrities who are supporting net neutrality.

The Christian Coalition recently announced that it was joining the "Save The Internet" campaign to "prevent the large phone and cable companies from discriminating against Web sites."

Christian Coalition president Roberta Combs said that the ability of telecom and cable companies to block Internet content would harm the Coalition's pro-life agenda.

"What if a cable company with a pro-choice Board of Directors decides that it doesn't like a pro-life organization using its high-speed network to encourage pro-life activities? Under the new rules, they could slow down the pro-life web site, harming their ability to communicate with other pro-lifers — and it would be legal," she said.

Rockers R.E.M and Moby are also supporting the "Save The Internet" campaign, which has collected nearly 700,000 petition signatures to support keeping Internet content free and unfettered.

R.E.M singer Michael Stipe announced on the band's Web site that its support of net neutrality was about preventing "another attempt by corporations and their congressional buddies to pull our society backward rather than moving us forward."

Moby was scheduled to appear at a rally on Capitol Hill on May 18th in support of Rep. Markey's bill, sponsored by the Save the Internet campaign.

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