Republicans contend the FCC’s proposed net neutrality rules are evidence that the White House has taken control of the agency and must be stopped.
“The president gave a speech demanding that the FCC seize control of the Internet and treat it as a government-regulated utility,” said Senator Ted Cruz, referring to President Barack Obama’s November statement. “The FCC promptly turned around and behaved like an agency of the White House.”
Republicans believe the FCC’s attempt top reclassify broadband under Title II of the Communications Act is overreaching and will negatively impact investment in broadband and those who rely on it. Republicans have drafted net neutrality rules of their own, but they would gut the FCC’s ability to regulate anything other than discriminatory practices, say legal experts cited by the Wall Street Journal.
Republicans warned last month that they’d use any legal means possible to fight the FCC’s attempt to reclassify broadband as a utility. They have yet to take the first such step. The FCC will vote on Chairman Tom Wheeler’s proposal at its open meeting on Feb 26.
