Comcast adds former Oversight chairman for final merger push

The former head of the House Oversight Committee is now lobbying for Comcast.

Former Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-N.Y.), who also chaired the Congressional Black Caucus during his three decades in office, joined one of lobbying firms used by the nation’s largest cable provider this summer, according to lobbying disclosure paperwork made public this week. 

{mosads}The hire comes as Comcast enters the closing months of regulators’ review of its $45 billion proposed deal with Time Warner Cable, a deal that has come under fire from many Democrats who worry it would overly consolidate the cable market and leave customers with higher bills and worse service.

The merger would combine the nations’ two largest cable companies. Post merger, Comcast would be the top cable provider in 19 of the country’s top 20 markets.

Comcast and Time Warner Cable say they don’t currently compete in any of the same markets, however, so the merger would not directly reduce competition anywhere in the country. Executives have also noted that the deal would lead to faster Internet speeds for many Time Warner Cable customers and extend Comcast’s “Internet Essentials” programs, which offers $10 monthly Internet access to low-income households.

Comcast has significantly beefed up its lobbying during regulators’ review of the merger, though many are focused on other matters instead of or in addition to the merger.

The companies have hoped for the review to be finalized by the end of the year.

According to the federal document, Towns will be lobbying on behalf of Gray Global Advisors and focusing on “telecommunication and cable television matters.”  Comcast has been a client of Gray Global Advisors since 2006, according to federal paperwork.

— Megan Wilson contributed to this report, which was updated at 12:50 p.m..