Democratic Senate candidates (non-incumbent), campaign contributions from Cable/Telecom PACs, expressed positions on net neturality and candidate contacts:
“Uncommitted” denotes no expressed position favoring or opposing net neutrality
“Conflicted” denotes positions expressed both favoring and opposing net neutrality
* – Georgia Democratic primary election to be held on July 15. Runoff election to be held on August 5.
** – Tennessee Democratic primary election to be held on August 7.
*** – Wyoming Democratic primary election to be held on August 19.
Check out the extended entry for official statements on NN received from candidates Kleeb, Merkley, Noriega and (Tom) Udall!
* UPDATE * July 11: Welcome Kay Hagen on board! Also, Mark Udall’s official statement in the extended entry.
“I know firsthand the critical role an open internet plays in our modern democratic process. An open internet encourages the kind of innovation and free speech that fueled the rise of our information economy. We must preserve that level playing field in order to ensure that every American, and our rural communities especially, have access to what has quickly become an indispensable tool for everyday life.
The internet is to the 21st century what electricity was to my grandparents in rural Nebraska in the 1940s and 1950s. It is critical that we support policies that further expand opportunities rather than eliminate access. “Net neutrality” is an important component of our American tradition of information exchange.”
Official statement from Jeff Merkley:
“In this age of the Internet, as information is becoming increasingly valuable, we cannot allow major telecommunications corporations to dictate the rules for access. If the cable and phone companies had their way, they’d set up a tiered system that allowed them to discriminate against competitors and charge more for different types of information.
I support Net Neutrality. We need to preserve open Internet access for citizens, schools, and small businesses. Innovators and entrepreneurs from all over the world have built an amazing communication network over the last decade. We can’t let a few corporations impose artificial barriers to this wealth of information.
I’ve followed the work of Senator Ron Wyden on this issue and I agree with him that we need to keep the Internet free of discriminatory fees. When I’m elected to the Senate I will work to protect an open Internet for all Americans.”
Official Statement from Rick Noriega:
“Net Neutrality is critical component of maintaining American entrepreneurship, free speech and democracy. Texans and Americans are increasingly reliant on the Internet and it is important that we have a level playing field where each citizen has equal access to information.”
Official statement from Mark Udall:
Congressman Udall believes telecommunications laws must support a competitive market that provides the most options to consumers at an affordable price. He also wants to protect the freedom of the Internet by ensuring network neutrality. In fact, he has voted to ensure that Internet providers do not block or degrade legal content on the Internet. In 2006, Congress considered reforms to telecommunications law that contained much needed updates to the last major reform in 1996. Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) proposed an amendment to that legislation in support of net neutrality. Congressman Udall voted for the Markey amendment but, unfortunately, it was not adopted. The underlying legislation, which Congressman Udall voted for with some reservations, passed the House but was stymied in the Senate. Congressman Udall continues to support network neutrality.
Official statement from Tom Udall:
“Although I supported passage of the COPE Act, that does not discount my belief that the principles of network neutrality should be passed into law. In fact, Reps. Inslee and Boucher — original cosponsors of the net neutrality amendment — also voted in favor of the COPE Act’s final passage.
You may be interested to know that several pieces of legislation, which I support, have been introduced and narrowly focus on network neutrality. These pieces of legislation have been referred to various committees, where they are being considered. This issue is far from dead, and rest assured that I will continue to keep you informed as the fight for network neutrality continues in Congress.”
