House and Senate Republicans on Friday unveiled draft legislation that would stop the Federal Communications Commission from re-classifying the Internet as a public utility.
Calling the bill “rules for the road for open and unfettered access to the Internet,” lawmakers announced their plan days ahead of hearings scheduled for Jan. 21 in both the House and Senate.
According to lawmakers, the bill aims to balance the need to protect consumers who use the Internet while also shielding the industry from burdensome regulations.
The FCC, at the urging of President Obama, has signaled it is considering a move next month to reclassify the Internet so that it must follow the same nondiscrimination rules as major utilities.
But many Republicans oppose such a move, even though they embrace making Internet service providers adhere to many of the nondiscriminatory principles Obama is seeking.
“This thoughtful path forward ensures that consumers remain number one and in control of their online experience,” House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton, R-Mich., said.
The bill would ban several unpopular Internet practices including “throttling,” in which service providers intentionally slow down Internet speeds for some users.
It would also prohibit blocking and paid prioritization, a practice that allows some content providers to avoid Internet congestion by paying a higher price for service.
Lawmakers are hoping to move quickly on the bill.
The FCC is expected to begin circulating its own net neutrality plan Feb. 5, and will vote on it Feb. 26.
