Watchdog notes contributions to FCC reform sponsors

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Pile of MoneyMapLight, an unaffiliated nonprofit organization that tries to connect the dots between money and politics studied the relationship between sponsors of HR 3309, the bill seeking to reform the FCC, and supporters of HR 3309. It found plenty of links.


Here, direct from MapLight, are its findings:

“* Greg Walden (R-Ore.): Comcast ($30,500), CenturyLink ($25,500), AT&T ($13,500), the  National Association of Broadcasters ($13,000), Clear Channel Communications ($11,800). Greg Walden, the original author of the bill, is the second largest recipient of contributions from interest groups which explicitly supported this bill.

“* Joe Barton (R-Texas): Comcast ($17,500), Verizon Communications ($10,500), Time Warner Cable ($10,000). Joe Barton is one of the top 5 recipients of contributions from Time Warner Cable.

“* Charlie Bass (R-N.H.): National Cable & Telecommunications Association ($15,000), Comcast ($14,650), DirecTV Group ($14,400).

“* Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.): Comcast ($13,500).

“* Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.): AT&T ($13,000), Comcast ($11,000), National Cable & Telecommunications Association ($11,000), DirecTV Group ($9,000), T-Mobile USA ($9,000).

“* Lee Terry (R-Neb.): CenturyLink ($30,450). Terry is the largest recipient of contributions from CentruyLink. Telecom Services & Equipment ( $61,450) and Telephone Utilities ( $56,000) industries are among Terry’s top 10 contributing interests.

“* Bob Latta (R-Ohio): National Cable & Telecommunications Association ($9,000), AT&T ($8,000).

“* Steve Scalise (R-La.): National Cable & Telecommunications Association ($12,500). Interest groups from Cable & satellite TV production & distribution as a whole contributed $23,500 to Steve Scalise.

“* Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.): Comcast ($10,500) was just $500 dollars short of making Adam Kinzinger’s top 10.

“* John Kline (R-Minn.): John Kline was the only sponsor of the bill without significant contributions from FCC-regulated companies.”

RBR-TVBR observation: We wouldn’t get too excited about this – major trade organizations like NAB and NCTA typically spread money around on both sides of the aisle. If you are a legislator on a key committee, you are likely to get a contribution no matter what party you belong to.