Latta introduces bill to restrict FCC

Saturday, May 31, 2014 12:00 AM

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Ohio 5th District Congressman Bob Latta says he is out to stop the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from writing new regulations to control Internet service. On Wednesday, Latta introduced a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives to limit the FCC's authority to regulate broadband Internet service. The bill was introduced after the FCC released a proposal to reclassify broadband as a telecommunications service instead as an information service. 'In light of the FCC initiating yet another attempt to regulate the Internet, upending long-standing precedent and imposing monopoly-era telephone rules and obligations on the 21st Century broadband marketplace, Congress must take action to put an end to this misguided regulatory proposal,' said Latta. 'The Internet has remained open and continues to be a powerful engine fueling private enterprise, economic growth and innovation absent government interference and obstruction. My legislation will provide all participants in the Internet ecosystem the certainty they need to continue investing in broadband networks and services that have been fundamental for job creation, productivity and consumer choice.' The agency has claimed it would impose a policy known as net neutrality, but some analysts have pointed out that under the FCC's version, each Internet service provider (ISP) could determine what rate to charge web services to deliver data over the net, and which programming should be sent first and fastest to consumers. 'At a time when the Internet economy is thriving and driving robust productivity and economic growth, it is reckless to suggest, let alone adopt, policies that threaten its success. Reclassification would heap 80 years of regulatory baggage on broadband providers, restricting their flexibility to innovate and placing them at the mercy of a government agency. These businesses thrive on dynamism and the ability to evolve quickly to shifting market and consumer forces. Subjecting them to bureaucratic red tape won't promote innovation, consumer welfare or the economy, and I encourage my House colleagues to support this legislation, so we can foster continued innovation and investment within the broadband marketplace.'