As the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) gears up for a net neutrality vote this month, Republicans are lining up their attack.
Rep. Bob Latta (R-Ohio) has reintroduced a bill to limit the FCC’s authority to regulate the internet. Although no FCC proposal has yet been released, they are expected to support regulating the internet under Title II of the Communications Act, which would treat it as a utility for the first time in history.
“Imposing monopoly-era telephone rules on a 21st Century industry that has thrived under the current light-touch regulatory framework will undoubtedly impede the economic growth and innovation that have resulted in the broadband marketplace absent government interference,” said Latta, in a statement released along with the legislation.
“These businesses thrive on dynamism and the ability to evolve quickly to shifting market and consumer forces,” he continued. “Subjecting them to bureaucratic red tape won’t promote innovation, consumer welfare or the economy.”
The bill makes note of several pitfalls of classifying the internet under Title II, including harming broadband investment—one reason why civil rights groups including the NAACP also oppose Title II regulation, while generally favoring net neutrality rules in some other form.
President Obama came out strongly in favor of Title II regulation late last year.
Latta is Vice Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Communications and Technology Subcommittee.
