Cozy With Comcast: Fred Upton, Greg Walden, Architects Of GOP Net Neutrality Plan, Receive Big Cable Cash

Two of the architects of the Republican network neutrality plan -- House Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) and House Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) -- received more money from cable-industry interests than almost any other members of Congress, campaign finance records show.

Chairman Upton received $44,500 from Comcast-related donors, including employees of the company and its political action committee. Meanwhile, records from the Federal Election Commission show that no fewer than 15 senior Comcast executives contributed $1,000 or more to Chairman Upton’s 2014 campaign. Of all 435 members of the US House of Representatives, Chairman Upton ranked No. 4 on the Comcast recipient list. No. 3 on the list was Chairman Walden, a coauthor of the draft legislation, who received $47,250 from Comcast-related donors during the most recent election cycle. And it isn’t just Comcast. Donors with an interest in Verizon and AT&T gave $35,200 and $20,000, respectively, to Chairman Upton’s most recent campaign. Both companies have voiced strong opposition to reclassifying broadband as a utility, which would impose stricter relations on providers.