> They’ve convinced gullible lawmakers that tech companies get a “free ride” on the Internet, and should therefore be forced to pay telecom giants even more money to shore up essential infrastructure.

This makes as much sense as the opposite - forcing ISPs to pay the content providers. That is, it makes no sense, but with enough power could happen. ISPs not willing to deliver the content their customers are requesting should be out of the ISP business, not force third parties to subsidize them.

Edit: This is like being a T-Mobile customer, having a text exchange with a friend on Verizon, and having Verizon try to get money from you for the "free ride" you're getting. Vote D for sensible policies.