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Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., who is a key figure in the net neutrality fight, is is a major congressional recipient of campaign cash from internet service providers.

(AP Photo/Bob Pennell/Mail Tribune)

Oregon Rep. Greg Walden and Michigan Rep. Fred Upton, who are fighting the Obama administration's net neutrality proposals, are major recipients of cash from the country's major internet service providers, according to a new report from a watchdog group.

MapLight, which tracks money in politics, reported Tuesday that the top four internet service providers -- AT&T, Verizon, Comcast and Time Warner Cable -- gave $156,300 to the two Republican lawmakers in the last election cycle through campaign donations from executives and their political action committees.

Upton, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, received $99,500. Walden, who chairs the panel's telecommunications subcommittee, received $56,800.

Walden and Upton are key figures in the Republican battle with the Obama administration over the issue of net neutrality. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler, at the urging of President Obama, proposed tough rules that would require internet providers to treat all content the same.

Walden and Upton are working on their own legislation that they say will provide net neutrality but will not hamstring providers with what they describe as onerous regulations.

"Sadly, it appears the president is abandoning the successful hands-off policy of his Republican and Democratic predecessors in favor of centrally controlled Internet policy," Walden and Upton said in a statement after Obama released his net neutrality proposals in November.

Walden or his aides could not be reached for immediate reaction on the MapLight report. The Walden camp has decried previous MapLight reports that suggest campaign contributions have affected his legislative approach.

Spokesman Andrew Malcolm said in a statement last May that "the only thing someone gets for a contribution is a 'thank you,' and the suggestion of anything beyond that is ridiculous and offensive."

The new Maplight report says that Comcast was the biggest of the four internet providers contributing to Walden, with the congressman receiving $32,050 in donations linked to the company.

--Jeff Mapes

503-221-8209

@Jeffmapes