Democrats Continue To Pressure Administration On AT&T/T-Mobile Merger

Recently, U.S. Representative Heath Shuler (D-NC) and 14 House colleagues released a letter to President Obama urging the administration "to swiftly resolve concerns with the proposed transaction between AT&T and T-Mobile USA and to settle and approve the merger, which will create jobs and expand high-speed Internet access to individuals and businesses across the country."

Schuler and his co-signers added their voices to hundreds of federal and state legislators around the country, asking that the FCC and the Department of Justice swiftly remove any roadblocks to the merger. As Schuler pointed out in his letter:

"By settling the proposed merger of AT&T and T-Mobile USA we can put thousands of Americans back to work and promote economic development across the country. I urge the President to strongly consider the vast benefits this merger will have on job creation and the economy and quickly resolve any concerns the Administration may have with the proposal."

Democrats have an urgent political need to approve the merger sooner rather than later. As CWA President Larry Cohen pointed out in an interview on C-Span's The Communicators on September 17, that the DOJ's decision, will have political consequences for the Obama Administration. "It will be a problem," he said, "to stand in the way of rural broadband expansion and job creation." 

Rep. Shuler Urges Obama Administration to Settle Proposed AT&T/T-Mobile USA Merger (press release, Rep. Schuler website)

U.S. Needs AT&T/T-Mobile Merger, Says Larry Cohen on C-Span (Speed Matters blog)