The US senators from Comcast's home state of Pennsylvania, who have received nearly $185,000 from a Comcast committee and employees, urged the Federal Communications Commission to approve Comcast's purchase of Time Warner Cable "as soon as possible."

"Comcast has informed us that the proposed merger will produce substantial benefits for the public, and that the company has acted proactively to prevent anti-competitive effects," US Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Pat Toomey (R-PA) wrote in a letter to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler yesterday.

Casey received $114,175 from Comcast's political action committee (PAC) and employees or employee family members between 2009 and 2014, according to OpenSecrets.org. Toomey received $70,600 from Comcast interests. Comcast's PAC is a prolific donor, even giving to opponents such as Sen. Al Franken (D-MN).

"While we appreciate your commitment to a full, thorough review, we urge the Commission to act as quickly as possible," Casey and Toomey wrote to Wheeler. "We believe the merger between Comcast and Time Warner will produce extensive benefits to the public in terms of jobs and services for low-income households. Also, Comcast has informed us that the merger will provide improved Internet access with no corresponding decrease in competition. The public should not have to wait for these benefits. Accordingly, we urge you to approve the merger as soon as possible."

The FCC is taking comments on the merger until December 23.

States are holding their own reviews of the transaction. During a merger hearing in New York yesterday, a Comcast executive reportedly declined to promise that Comcast will abide by net neutrality rules after 2018, when a requirement imposed on the company when it acquired NBCUniversal will expire. However, the FCC could require Comcast to extend that commitment in exchange for federal approval. "We’re prepared to abide by the rules that are now being formulated by the FCC,” Comcast Senior VP Mark Reilly told New York officials.