AT&T merger gets static from progressives, Hill

Democratic support for the AT&T/T-Mobile deal appears to be slipping amid allegations that the company effectively bought the endorsement of some liberal interest groups. The Senate’s top antitrust Democrat came out against the deal last week. Three top House Democrats last week also urged the FCC and the Justice Department to conduct “a careful, comprehensive and expeditious review,” warning that it could hamper innovation and hurt consumers.

The Democrats haven't linked their concerns about the deal to the flap over endorsements from the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, the NAACP and other groups that received contributions from AT&T’s charitable foundation. But some advocates say the connection is there. “There’s no question that AT&T has overplayed its hand,” said Andrew Jay Schwartzman, policy director of the Media Access Project, a nonprofit public interest communications law firm that has asked regulators to stop the wireless deal. “Some of the groups who have endorsed the merger feel anxious about weighing in, and they aren't going to be pressuring the legislators as much. Those who kept their powder dry feel they are freer to express their opposition.”