Congress Relaxes, But We Press On
This week Congress packed up their Bermuda shorts and suntan lotion and headed home for summer vacation. But just because our lawmakers are taking a break doesn’t mean we are. We’re spending the “lazy days” of summer busily making sure that Congress doesn’t forget about our media ownership concerns. We’re collecting petitions signed by you and your neighbors and are heading out around the country to deliver your demands to your lawmakers doorstep – even if it means interrupting a golf game.
Over the next month hundreds of local citizens across the country are meeting up to plan creative events to push the House of Representatives to stop further media consolidation. On August 27th all of these events will culminate in a day of action across the country. These meetings will be an exciting opportunity to sit down with your member of Congress and make your voice heard. And the best part is how easy it can be.
With a few clicks, you can sign up to deliver an important message to your member of Congress at their home office. We are nearly halfway to getting 100 co-sponsors to support the “Resolution of Disapproval” (H.J. Res. 79) that would overturn the FCC’s decision to allow more companies to own more media — and your representative can make the difference in this fight.
Check to see if there is an event going on in your community, or sign up to start one.
These local meetings will allow your member of Congress to hear in person how families, small businesses and organizations in your community are hurt by media consolidation. Your representative needs to hear from people like you before they return to Washington this fall.
Back in December 2007, the FCC voted to relax media ownership rules, and we have been fighting to stop them ever since. Congress has the power to overturn the FCC’s giveaway to Big Media. The Senate, in a near-unanimous vote, has already acted to stop the FCC — now we need the House to do the same. It’s been a long struggle, but we won’t be taking the summer off.
If you want to turn up the heat on Congress this month, you can get involved right here at StopBigMedia.com. Be sure to sign the petition and look for meetings in your area. If there are no events planned for your member of Congress, don’t let that stop you. It is easy to contact your local policymaker’s office and set up a meeting with your representative or their staff. Contact us, and we’ll get you started.
