Joint Statement by CAGW President Tom Schatz and ITPC Executive Director Deborah Collier on Net Neutrality Rules

(Washington, D.C.) - Today, after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced it would be voting on reinstating net neutrality rules at its April 25, 2024, monthly meeting, Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) President Tom Schatz issued the following statement:

"Ever since the internet was opened for public use in 1996, apart from a short period following the 2015 Open Internet Order (OIO), a light touch regulatory regime has allowed the internet and those who use it daily to flourish and grow. The Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) proposed rulemaking would resurrect the destructive policies of the OIO and undo all progress that has been made since it was repealed. The new net neutrality is like the old net neutrality, only worse. It is still tantamount to a government takeover of the internet that will stymie innovation, reduce investment in next generation technologies, and make it more difficult to go online for businesses, families, and students. It will make it harder to close the digital divide."

The following statement can be attributed to CAGW Innovation & Technology Policy Center Executive Director and Vice President for Policy and Government Affairs Deborah Collier:

"This rulemaking by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is unnecessary at a time when investments in broadband internet services have never been higher, internet speeds continue to increase, and costs continue to be lower than inflation. The significant negative impact of net neutrality on consumers, businesses, and the economy has already been shown, and the progress made since the Open Internet Order was repealed is well-documented. It is far past time for Congress to act and enact legislation that will determine the future for internet regulations by protecting consumers, encouraging investment, and increasing innovation, and take decisions about regulating the internet out of the hands of whoever sits in the White House and at the FCC."

Citizens Against Government Waste is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in government.

#####