Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersTrump, Biden will not shake hands at first debate due to COVID-19 Sanders tells Maher 'there will be a number of plans' to remove Trump if he loses Sirota reacts to report of harassment, doxing by Harris supporters MORE (I-Vt.) is calling to break up the largest internet and cable companies in the country, a proposal that would limit the power of corporations like Comcast and Verizon.

In a sweeping "High-Speed Internet for All" plan released Thursday night, Sanders accused the massive internet service providers of exploiting their dominance to "gouge customers and lobby government at all levels."

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His proposal emerges weeks after Sen. Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenOvernight Defense: Appeals court revives House lawsuit against military funding for border wall | Dems push for limits on transferring military gear to police | Lawmakers ask for IG probe into Pentagon's use of COVID-19 funds On The Money: Half of states deplete funds for Trump's 0 unemployment expansion | EU appealing ruling in Apple tax case | House Democrats include more aid for airlines in coronavirus package Warren, Khanna request IG investigation into Pentagon's use of coronavirus funds MORE (D-Mass.), another top presidential contender, released her own plan to expand internet access in rural areas, often the parts of the country with the worst coverage.

Warren's plan did not specifically call to break up Comcast and Verizon, though it offered proposals that would pare down internet service providers' power and prohibit their "sneaky maneuvers" to "unfairly squeeze out competition."

In his plan, Sanders called out Verizon, Comcast and AT&T specifically over their billions of dollars in profits.

"With no incentive to innovate or invest, these conglomerates charge sky-high internet prices to reap profits from consumers, and they collect government subsidies to provide service to rural households while still leaving millions of Americans unconnected," Sanders wrote.

Sanders said he would use existing antitrust laws to take on the cable giants and break them up. Though he did not specify which companies he would take on, there are only a handful of top internet and cable companies in the country, including Comcast and Verizon.

Sanders’s plan would also distribute $150 billion to local and state governments to build publicly owned broadband networks and override the state laws that limit local governments from running their own internet services.

"Bernie believes it’s time to stop relying on profit-focused corporations to get to universal broadband," the plan reads. "Bernie will provide the necessary funding for states, cities, and co-ops to build out their own broadband networks, and ensure all households are connected by the end of his first term."

It would require companies to provide high-speed internet at affordable prices while seeking to bridge the divide between people in rural areas — who often lack access to the Internet or have spotty coverage — and those in cities.

Several candidates have emerged with plans to tackle the so-called digital divide over the past several months, including Warren, South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg Pete ButtigiegBillionaire who donated to Trump in 2016 donates to Biden The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - GOP closes ranks to fill SCOTUS vacancy by November Buttigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice MORE and former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenBiden says voters should choose who nominates Supreme Court justice Trump, Biden will not shake hands at first debate due to COVID-19 Joe Biden should enact critical government reforms if he wins MORE.