WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas),
Ranking Member on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee,
today said new Internet regulations adopted by the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) threaten the future economic growth of the Internet. Sen.
Hutchison will introduce a resolution of disapproval in an effort to halt the
new rules.
“This vote is an unprecedented power-grab by the unelected
members of the Federal Communications Commission, spearheaded by Chairman
Genachowski. The FCC is attempting to push excessive government regulation of
the Internet through without Congressional authority and these actions threaten
the very future of the technology,” said Sen. Hutchison.
“These new regulations will raise uncertainty about the
methods and practices communications companies may use to manage their
networks, subjecting them to potential legal liability. Heavy-handed regulation
threatens investment and innovation in broadband services, placing valuable
American jobs at risk. Individuals and businesses alike are rightfully
concerned about government attempts to seize control of the Internet, and I
will introduce a resolution of disapproval in an effort to overturn this
troubling regulatory overreach by the FCC,” Sen. Hutchison said.
Last week Senator Hutchison filed an amendment to prevent
the Federal Communications Commission from regulating the Internet. The
amendment specifically would have prohibited the FCC from using any
appropriated funds “to adopt, implement, or otherwise litigate any network
neutrality based rules, protocols, or standards.” The amendment was
cosponsored by Senators Tom Coburn (Okla.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Jim DeMint
(R-S.C.), John Ensign (R-Nev.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), John Thune (R-S.D), and
Roger Wicker (R-Miss.).
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