Net neutrality debate is really about the ballooning regulatory state

Published April 12, 2019 12:00am ET



House Democrats’ nearly straight party-line vote to reinstate the Obama-era net neutrality rules on April 10 was only the latest indication of their dissatisfaction with the current state of internet regulations. It’s highly unlikely the bill gets brought up in the GOP-controlled Senate, but that doesn’t mean Republicans are happy with the status quo, either. Republican lawmakers have introduced three separate bills on net neutrality already this Congress.

Yet, the debate over internet regulation hasn’t been over net neutrality rules per se for some time. Notable Republicans have long agreed, for better or for worse, to the basic principles of net neutrality regulation. Rather, at the heart of the disagreement is how much discretion the Federal Communications Commission should have.

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.