Chicago-based Congressman Bobby Rush hopes to become the top Dem on the House Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet—and many minority and civil rights groups hope that he does. On November 22, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Urban League, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, and other groups sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi praising Rush for being “ahead of the curve” on telecom issues. (Rush already serves on the subcommittee.)
But one civil rights organization, Color of Change, has asked Pelosi to reject Rush’s request. They point to the substantial campaign contributions the Congressman has received from Verizon, Comcast, AT&T, and other telecom heavyweights over the years. Rush won office in 1992.