Lansing, Michigan — Republican U.S. Senate nominee Mike Rogers received about $95,000 from telecommunications industry political committees over two decades while supporting legislation that aligned with some of those companies’ policy priorities, according to federal campaign finance records reviewed by Michigan Advance.
The contributions came from AT&T, Verizon and wireless industry group CTIA and went to Rogers’ congressional campaigns, Senate campaigns and political action committee. AT&T accounted for $56,000, Verizon contributed $28,500 and CTIA gave $10,000, according to the report. Federal Election Commission records confirm Rogers is currently running for Michigan’s U.S. Senate seat.
While chairing the House Intelligence Committee, Rogers introduced the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act, or CISPA, which would have expanded private companies’ ability to share cybersecurity information with the federal government. AT&T, Verizon and CTIA supported the legislation, while civil-liberties organizations warned it could weaken privacy protections.
Rogers also opposed federal net-neutrality regulations before leaving Congress in 2015. He subsequently worked as a cybersecurity adviser for AT&T, continuing his ties to the telecommunications industry.
Rogers’ campaign rejected suggestions that contributions influenced his policymaking, saying his national-security positions have remained consistent throughout his career.
Rogers is running against Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed for the seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Gary Peters.
Sources
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