CSE Grassroots Activists Call on Their Legislators to Support HR 1542, The Internet Freedom and Broadband Deployment Act of 2001

CSE activists know that government regulations strangle the full potential of the high-tech economy. So, it was no surprise activists in a number of CSE states took it upon themselves to contact their legislators to either thank them for supporting HR 1542 or ask them to co-sponsor the bill.

CSE initiated an intense grassroots campaign to inform legislators that consumers want full competition in the high-speed Internet marketplace. CSE mobilized its activists in targeted states including NH, OR, IA, FL and PA. In three days, legislators felt the power of grassroots activism. Representatives John Sununu and Charles Bass, (NH), Greg Walden, (OR), Greg Ganske, (IA), Cliff Sterns, (FL), Mike Doyle and Joseph Pitts, (PA), were all recipients of CSE’s pro-consumer, pro-competition message. In the end, all members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee knew that consumers support H.R. 1542.

Grassroots Activism – Due to the bill’s importance, a torrent of intense print, television and radio ads inundated consumers and legislators on HR 1542. Amid the flurry of advertisements and media coverage, legislators were clearly aware of CSE’s pro-consumer message commenting time and again that CSE’s grassroots voice was heard and appreciated. In fact, each time a CSE activist met with a legislator, that representative supported H.R. 1542.

Committee members faced a barrage of grassroots outreach, from activist email into their offices to CSE activists and state staff visiting in their home state. Inside the Beltway activities included CSE president, Paul Beckner, sending a letter to all members of the committee asking them to support the bill on behalf of consumers, Hill lobby visits conducted by CSE Center for Consumer Choice director Erick Gustafson and policy analyst Jason Thomas, CSE participation in a press conference with other third party groups in favor of the bill, and a broaching of the topic during a CSE policy watch event on the Hill.

Earned Media – CSE’s Economic Policy analyst Jason Thomas was quoted in Communications Today’s “Tauzin-Dingell Opponents Fear More Market Jitters,” regarding the potential for tremendous investment in Internet infrastructure with passage of HR 1542. He stated, “The important thing here is that we are preventing capital from entering the broadband market. No one wants to talk about how well capitalized the Bells are. The fact of the matter is that they are, and they’re willing to invest it.”

HR 1542 finally passed the Energy and Commerce Committee on May 9. CSE activists will continue its grassroots activism to ensure that the bill passes both the House and the Senate so that all consumers benefit from high-speed Internet access.