Milking the Internet

MILKING THE INTERNET
[SOURCE: Forbes, AUTHOR: Tim Doyle]
The fight over the Internet and what fees should be assessed for access is a surefire moneymaker -- for their campaign coffers. The stakes are huge for both sides of the debate, so both are pouring millions of dollars into political contributions and lobbying to press their argument. Now you know why Congress would let this debate linger on. As long as the issue stays in play, the money keeps flowing. "Telecom reform has been a cash cow for members of Congress," says Brookings Institution congressional scholar Thomas Mann. "The battles go on for years, and the fundraising requests never stop." The biggest recipient of telco largesse during the 2005--06 election cycle, with $114,000 in contributions, was Senator Conrad Burns. He's the Montana Republican whose reelection has been endangered by his connection to the scandal involving convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff. In June Sen Burns joined other Republicans in killing a net neutrality measure. He says he prefers less regulation.
http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2006/0814/044.html
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Also note --
* Lawmakers plan another lame-duck assembly
[SOURCE: USAToday, AUTHOR: Kathy Kiely]
Congress is leaving for a month-long recess with so much unfinished business that it's planning a fifth consecutive post-election session, the most since 1935. Another lame-duck session raises the prospect that important business could be completed by lawmakers who have been rejected by voters. If Republicans lose control of Congress, they'd still direct the agenda until January, when lawmakers are sworn in. Republicans can't agree on curbing illegal immigration, while party differences have stalled efforts to reduce gas prices and lobbyists' influence. None of the 11 bills funding the government for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1 has reached President Bush's desk. Political analysts say lame-duck sessions aren't efficient. Lawmakers return “tired and distracted,” says Norman Ornstein, co-author of a new book on Congress, The Broken Branch.
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20060731/a_unfinishedbiz31.art...