Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Abolish the FCC

WASHINGTON — Federal telecommunications regulators approved new rules Tuesday that would for the first time give the federal government formal authority to regulate Internet traffic, although how much or for how long remained unclear.

The rules will go into effect early next year, but legal challenges or action by Congress could block the FCC's action. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) on Tuesday called the FCC's action "flawed" and said lawmakers would "have an opportunity in the new Congress to push back against new rules and regulations."

It’s Time to Stop the FCC Internet Czars

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Republican Seeks to Block Internet Rules

WASHINGTON - The top Republican on the Senate Commerce Committee filed an amendment on Thursday to halt U.S. regulators' plans to act on contentious Internet traffic rules next week.

"The FCC chairman's attempt to impose new government regulations on the Internet is unnecessary government overreach that will stifle future innovation," Hutchinson said in a statement.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

FCC Neutrality Grab

FCC chairman to propose plan for net neutrality
Genachowski's proposal also goes against warnings by emboldened Republican lawmakers who have criticized such rules as anti-business.

The proposal will be introduced for a vote before the five-member commission on Dec. 21.

FCC Chief Backs Usage-Based Broadband Pricing
There will be significant haggling over the proposal for the next few weeks, particularly on the rules for wireless broadband networks. Consumer groups want more protections but wireless carriers are resistant.

WASHINGTON – Federal regulators are proposing to create a "Do Not Track" list for the Internet so that people could prevent marketers from tracking their Web browsing habits and other online behavior in order to target advertising.

Washington, D.C. – House Republican Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA) released the following statement after Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski announced sweeping new internet regulations.

I am disappointed with Chairman Genachowski’s decision to push forward with a partisan proposal to regulate the Internet in the face of a court that has questioned his authority, a Congress that has questioned his policy, and an American people that have said we need less government, not more. I am also troubled by the process under which the proposed rules have been crafted. The companies that power our economy should not be forced to choose between bad and worse. Rest assured we intend to conduct rigorous oversight and explore all our legislative options to put things back on the proper track.

"If last month’s election told us anything, it’s that Americans are exasperated by the explosive growth of government and the higher taxes and burdensome regulations that come with it. Imposing net neutrality requirements would significantly harm a key industry by shackling it with unnecessary and anti-competitive regulations at a time when we can least afford it. Make no mistake, a thriving broadband industry will be a crucial piece of the private sector in the years ahead, and we must do everything we can to ensure long-term broadband investment and availability."

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