Chairs Rodgers and Latta Condemn FCC for Attempting to Micromanage the Internet

Washington, D.C. - House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chair Bob Latta (R-OH) condemned the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) decision to reclassify broadband under Title II of the Communications Act of 1934, essentially reclassifying broadband as a public utility.

"These efforts by President Biden's FCC are just the latest attempt by Democrats to assert more federal government control over people's lives. The last time we had this debate following the repeal of the FCC's heavy-handed regulations in 2017, Democrats claimed that the Internet as we knew it would end and that we would get the Internet one-word-at-a-time. These outrageous claims proved false, and because we chose to ignore them then, the U.S. has benefited from more investment in broadband networks, faster internet speeds, and lower prices for millions of Americans. Energy and Commerce Republicans will take steps to hold the FCC accountable-including with the introduction of a CRA-as we work to stop the agency's efforts to reimpose regulations that will hinder our ability to close the digital divide and lead the world in next-generation wireless technology."

ICYMI: On Wednesday, Chair Rodgers and Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-TX) led a bicameral coalition of members in sending a letter in calling on the FCC to reverse course and abandon its so-called "net neutrality" draft order.

CLICK HEREto read the recent letter to FCC Chair Rosenworcel, which was signed by every Republican on the Committee.

CLICK HEREto read the statements from Chairs Rodgers and Latta urging the FCC to reconsider the agency's revival of the net neutrality debate.