Of the 239 Republicans in the US House of Representatives, only 107 added their names to a letter released this morning supporting FCC Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to repeal net neutrality rules.
Of the 239 Republicans in the US House of Representatives, only 107 added their names to a letter released this morning supporting FCC Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to repeal net neutrality rules.
If we can figure out the names of the 107 GOP lawmakers who signed the letter, then we can find out who the 132 are who didn’t—and ask them why.
Perhaps the mysterious 132 are concerned about the recent study that showed an overwhelming majority of Republican voters aren’t in favor of Pai’s proposal. Maybe they’ve come to understand that repealing the net neutrality rules would give ISPs an enormous power while stripping the federal government’s ability to prevent the censorship and discrimination of online services. Maybe they were just out for coffee.
We may never know.
The thing is, many of the signatures are totally illegible. About 20 representatives included their state and congressional district next to their names, but that seems to have fallen out of practice by the top of the second page of signatures. And while many of the John Hancocks are readable, some of them look like they were written by someone with a pen in their mouth.
The letter, which calls Pai’s plan a “major step forward in the effort to clear the way for the substantial investment necessary to advance our Internet architecture for the next generation,” was co-authored by House Energy Committee Chairman Greg Walden and committee member Rep. Marsha Blackburn. Reached by cellphone, a Blackburn spokesperson said she would forward Gizmodo a list of the names, but after a few hours it doesn’t look like that’s happening.
Here’s a list of the lawmakers we know for sure signed the letter. (We excluded a few we’re only 99 percent certain about.) Further down, we’ve collected a sample of some of the worst scribbles Congress’ lower chamber has to offer. If you recognize your representative’s signature, let us know who they are—and what you think about their support for the Pai’s plan.
Confirmed signers:
And here’s a few I couldn’t identify. Maybe you’ll have better luck:
Markyr Maltg… er… something.
Ultron M. D. and Mr. Old.
Steam Prism and … okay, I’m pretty sure that’s actually South Dakota Rep. Kristi Noem.
@K
This is likely just the name of someone’s favorite black metal band.
Babadook Quark
He Rag
Rad R. Milbass
???
Lili Sirm
Jcmr Avr and Vam Aeeeeeeeee
Semttra Euutry
The FCC vote to repeal the net neutrality rules will take place tomorrow after 10:30am ET when the commission convenes for an open meeting. Without a significant objection from Republican lawmakers, the order will likely pass. We expect a slew of lawsuits to follow and a legal battle that will stretch on well past the 2018 midterms.
If you live in a Republican district and don’t see your representative’s name here (or can’t decipher it from one of the signatures above) you should probably call them and ask where they stand on the issue—that is, if net neutrality is the sort of thing that’s likely to sway your vote .
