• Net Neutrality

    Update with Video: House Votes to Block Funds for FCC Net Neutrality Order

    Just in case you have heard about “Net Neutrality” but want to know what the issues are, watch the video above from Reason. Today, the House voted to defund the FCC order to compel it on ISP’s.

    The House passed an amendment Thursday that would bar the Federal Communications Commission from using any funding to implement the network-neutrality order it approved in December.

    The amendment, approved on a 244-181 vote, was offered by Energy and Commerce Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden, R-Ore., to legislation that would fund government agencies for the rest of fiscal year 2011.

    Walden and other critics of the FCC’s net-neutrality order argue it will stifle innovation and investment in broadband. The order aims to bar broadband providers from discriminating against Internet content, services, or applications.

    “If left unchallenged, this claim of authority would allow the FCC to regulate any matter it discussed in the national broadband plan,” Walden said.

    If the defunding effort fails, Republicans are pursuing a second route to try to block the FCC’s open-Internet order. Walden and other Republicans in both the House and the Senate introduced on Wednesday a resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act, which would give lawmakers a limited amount of time to try to block the FCC’s net-neutrality rules.

    You know, Net Neutrality sounds good but I REALLY don’t like the idea of the FCC (political appointees, no less) having an expanded role in regulating the internet. If Verizon or Comcast price control internet content (which they never have done), I can always quit them and find an ISP who won’t do that – the power of the marketplace.

    If I desire MORE of certain content, then I am willing to pay for it, but NOT willing to pay for equal broadband for the general public who may not desire said content. They get a free ride.

    The House is right here, but look for a veto from President Obama.

    Update:

    Here is video of Rep. Greg Walden on the House Floor today:

    “We all want an open and thriving Internet. That Internet exists today. Consumers can access anything they want with the click of a mouse thanks to our historical hands-off approach,” said Walden. “I am pleased that my colleagues in the House accepted my amendment to ensure the FCC does not have the funds to implement the controversial Internet regulations.”

    “However, the amendment is simply a stop gap measure while we work towards passing a more permanent solution,” Rep. Walden said. “I would encourage everybody who cares about keeping the government out of the business of running the internet to cosponsor the Resolution of Disapproval, H.J.Res. 37, which would nullify the rules themselves.”

  • Net Neutrality

    House Votes to Block Funds for FCC Net Neutrality Order

    Just in case you have heard about “Net Neutrality” but want to know what the issues are, watch the video above from Reason. Today, the House voted to defund the FCC order to compel it on ISP’s.

    The House passed an amendment Thursday that would bar the Federal Communications Commission from using any funding to implement the network-neutrality order it approved in December.

    The amendment, approved on a 244-181 vote, was offered by Energy and Commerce Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden, R-Ore., to legislation that would fund government agencies for the rest of fiscal year 2011.

    Walden and other critics of the FCC’s net-neutrality order argue it will stifle innovation and investment in broadband. The order aims to bar broadband providers from discriminating against Internet content, services, or applications.

    “If left unchallenged, this claim of authority would allow the FCC to regulate any matter it discussed in the national broadband plan,” Walden said.

    If the defunding effort fails, Republicans are pursuing a second route to try to block the FCC’s open-Internet order. Walden and other Republicans in both the House and the Senate introduced on Wednesday a resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act, which would give lawmakers a limited amount of time to try to block the FCC’s net-neutrality rules.

    You know, Net Neutrality sounds good but I REALLY don’t like the idea of the FCC (political appointees, no less) having an expanded role in regulating the internet. If Verizon or Comcast price control internet content (which they never have done), I can always quit them and find an ISP who won’t do that – the power of the marketplace.

    If I desire MORE of certain content, then I am willing to pay for it, but NOT willing to pay for equal broadband for the general public who may not desire said content. They get a free ride.

    The House is right here, but look for a veto from President Obama.