Last week, we made history. Millions of people took action to demand that the FCC respect free speech and drop its terrible plan to gut net neutrality protections that prevent monopolies like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T from squeezing us all for more money, slowing down websites, apps, and services, and blocking our access online content. [1]
The Chairman of the FCC, Ajit Pai, is a former top lawyer for Verizon, and he’s made it clear that he doesn’t care what the public thinks — he just wants to give the giant Cable Companies that he used to work for exactly what they want: the power to control what we see and do online.
But our members of Congress have oversight authority over the FCC — and they have to answer to us: their constituents. We’ve just unveiled a “scorecard” so they can’t hide.
The Senate held important hearings on Ajit Pai’s confirmation this morning. [2] It was largely procedural, but right now is an important moment for us to show lawmakers that we are paying attention, and that we expect them to do their jobs and speak out against the FCC’s attack on our basic online rights.
If enough members of Congress speak out against Ajit Pai’s plan, he’ll have no choice but to slow down or change course. This the clearest strategy for defending the net neutrality protections that we have all fought so hard for.
We need to make sure that every member of Congress knows that if they side with Big Cable by supporting — or remaining silent about — the repeal of net neutrality, we their constituents will hold them accountable.
This fight is just beginning, and we’re off to a strong start. More from us soon.
-Evan at Fight for the Future
P.S. We’ve already raised $50,000 toward crowdfunded billboards targeting members of Congress who support the FCC’s plan to gut net neutrality. Click here to chip in!