Barrasso opposes FCC action to regulate the Internet
‘The Internet has been a beacon of free speech, creativity, and innovation largely because it has been out of Washington’s grip.’
by Senator Barrasso media release
December 21, 2010
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today (Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010), U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) released the following statement after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to give the federal government the authority to regulate Internet traffic:
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"Despite its dismal record, Washington continues to believe that it knows best when it comes to the private sector. Washington has taken over America’s banks, auto industry, student loan industry, and health care system. All Americans have to show for it is a 9.8% unemployment rate and a $13 trillion debt.
"The FCC’s vote today is another clear example of Washington attempting to fix something that’s not broken. The Internet has been a beacon of free speech, creativity, and innovation largely because it has been out of Washington’s grip. I will continue to fight the FCC’s misguided and unnecessary takeover."
On December 9th, Senator Barrasso joined other members of the Senate in opposing the Federal Communications Commission’s attempt to impose new regulations on broadband access services. In their letter, they said:
"Consumers today use and have access to more Internet services than ever before. Even during this economic downturn, tens of billions of dollars have been invested in new broadband infrastructure. Every day, Internet entrepreneurs offer new services, applications, devices, and content to users of broadband Internet networks. There is no evidence of the sort of market failure in broadband that might require expansive new powers for the Commission.
"While the rules that you are proposing will have little, if any, positive impact for consumers, they will likely reduce the potential for innovation and investment in broadband networks. Your proposal would establish the Commission as the central arbiter of which new network practices are and are not reasonable, making the Commission the gatekeeper for any future broadband innovations. This will dramatically slow the pace of that innovation and jeopardize billions of dollars of future investment into broadband networks.
"The Internet has flourished over the last twenty years because of, not despite of, a lack of government control and involvement. If the Commission does adopt your plan to impose new regulations on the Internet, the cost of that action will be measured in investments forgone, innovations stifled, and most importantly, jobs lost. With America’s economy in such a fragile state, the last thing the government needs to do is burden the private sector with more ill-advised regulatory red tape. Again, we implore you to reconsider your decision to regulate broadband services."
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