Jim Cooper on notice

Posted by Mary Mancini on June 9, 2006 under Uncategorized |

We’re so glad that Representative Jim Cooper is getting some competition in the upcoming election from Independent candidate Ginny Welsch.

Yesterday, Representative Cooper voted for the Communications, Opportunity, Promotion, and Enhancement Act of 2006 (.pdf) that would give large internet service providers like AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast more control over what you see and do online. Representative Cooper voted against Net Neutrality, or the idea that no one company can control what you see on the internet. Update: I was just assured by someone in Jim Cooper’s office that he also voted against voted for an amendment to the bill offered by Massachusetts Democrat Ed Markey, which would have codified net neutrality regulations into federal law. However, even with the defeated amendment Rep. Cooper voted for the bill, which does nothing to cement the concept of Net Neutrality into law. In other words, Congress passed a bill that doesn’t do anything explicit to protect Net Net Neutrality so large Internet Service Providers can make deals to provide better access to whomever they want to.

Now what? Call Rep. Cooper and give him hell say howdy to John Spragens. Then call Senators William Frist and Lamar Alexander and demand support for Net Neutrality. Tell them to support the bipartisan Snowe-Dorgan Internet Freedom Preservation Act (S. 2917).

Congressman Jim Cooper
Phone: 202-225-4311

Senator William Frist
Phone: 202-224-3344

Senator Lamar Alexander
Phone: 202-224-4944

Then, ask 5 friends to join Moveon.org’s fight for Internet freedom by signing their petition to Congress.

If you are active in local organizations, ask them to join the coalition.

Representative Cooper, you’re on notice.