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from: Free New Mexican

Udall Internet vote draws criticism

By STEVE TERRELL | The New Mexican
June 14, 2006

U.S. Rep. Tom Udall is getting heat from both sides of the political spectrum over his vote last week on a telecommunications bill opponents say jeopardizes the concept of "net neutrality" and an open, democratic Internet.

The Santa Fe Democrat was one of 321 House members to vote for the Communications Opportunity, Promotion and Enhancement Act. One hundred and one members voted against the measure, which the Associated Press called the "biggest telecommunications legislation in a decade."

The bill would make it easier for telephone companies to enter the pay-television market. But what has opponents most worried is that it would encourage telephone and cable companies to discriminate against competitors -- and less affluent customers -- by restricting Internet access or charging higher fees.

"I supported the COPE Act because it will bring faster broadband in more places, especially in rural areas like those in New Mexico, by boosting deployment of high-speed broadband as telephone providers upgrade their networks to offer video service," Udall said in an e-mail newsletter. "The COPE Act will also bring more jobs and make the U.S. more competitive in the global economy when telephone companies make new investments in advanced networks."

The rest of New Mexico's delegation was split on the bill. Rep. Steve Pearce, a Republican, voted for the bill. But Rep. Heather Wilson was one of only eight Republicans to vote against it.

Udall's vote was criticized harshly by his Republican opponent in November's election, Ron Dolin of Los Alamos, who said the bill will destroy the original intent of the Internet.

"Tom Udall and I are on different sides of many issues," Dolin said in a written statement Tuesday. "But the issue of net neutrality should not have been one of them. Udall's vote was not about a difference in political philosophies or about a different vision for the future of Northern and Eastern New Mexico. Mr. Udall's vote demonstrates just how unified the out-of-touch political elite in Washington have become and just how much they are influenced by the intoxication of big money."

Udall's vote also was blasted by a liberal New Mexico blog, Democracy in New Mexico.

Under a headline, "Udall Caves on Net Neutrality," the blog Thursday said Udall "has gone over to the dark side." The post said: "I hate to say it, but Udall's siding with many of the same telecom and cable companies that readily turned over our phone records to the (National Security Agency) prompts me to wonder how much money Tom gets from these interests."

According to the campaign-finance-watchdog Web site Opensecrets.org, Udall has received some money from the telecommunications industry, but it's not a major source of his campaign funds.

In the current election cycle, Udall has received $7,600 from the communications/electronics sector. That's out of more than $270,000 he has collected for this election.

Udall insisted that in spite of his vote, he is a supporter of "net neutrality." He pointed out he supported an amendment to the bill sponsored by Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., that stated broadband-network providers must not interfere with users' ability to Internet access or offer lawful content.

Markey's amendment was defeated.

Udall also backed another amendment that would allow courts to resolve disputes relating to network neutrality on a case-by-case basis. That amendment passed.

The bill goes on to the U.S. Senate.

Contact Steve Terrell at 986-3037 or sterrell@sfnewmexican.com.