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Here's The Latest Republican Plan to Kill Net Neutrality Rules

A group of Republican lawmakers are pushing a Resolution of Disapproval as part of an unlikely gambit to crush the FCC's new net neutrality rules. A resolution of disapproval allows Congress to review and potentially overturn new federal regulations from government agencies using an expedited legislative process. However, the resolution must be either signed by the President, or passed over the President's veto by two-thirds of both Houses of Congress -- neither of which are likely to happen here.

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In a statement, Representative Doug Collins claims the resolution (pdf) "would be the quickest way to stop heavy-handed agency regulations that would slow Internet speeds, increase consumer prices and hamper infrastructure development."

"Resources that could go to broadband deployment will go to federal taxes and fees," claims the lawmaker. "We’ll all be paying more for less."

Industry claims that Title II reclassification will impose $15 billion in new taxes and fees have been heavily criticized as misleading. Similarly, critics charge such estimates ignore the potential consumer cost savings from rules restricting ISPs from abusing the lack of last-mile competition.

The blunt effort to kill the rules appears to run in stark contrast to Republican claims that they're looking to strike a compromise on net neutrality instead of reclassifying ISPs as common carriers. Republicans have been pushing a neutrality proposal that's effectively weaker than the discarded 2010 rules, and notably erodes FCC authority over broadband providers.

The proposal comes after weeks of grilling FCC boss Tom Wheeler in a series of public hearings aimed primarily at shaming the FCC for standing up to incumbent broadband ISPs. The industry filed a full barrage of lawsuits earlier this week as soon as the rules were published in the Federal Register. If the industry can't destroy the rules via legislative process or lawsuit, all eyes will shift to the 2016 elections, since a party shift would mean new FCC leadership and a potential dismantling of the open Internet protections.

Most recommended from 64 comments



TechyDad
Premium Member
join:2001-07-13
USA

8 recommendations

TechyDad

Premium Member

Regulations Do What?

...stop heavy-handed agency regulations that would slow Internet speeds, increase consumer prices and hamper infrastructure development

The ISPs are slowing Internet speeds (raised Internet speeds only come when a competitor like Google Fiber pops up - and ONLY where they pop up), increasing consumer prices (including pricing Internet Only more than Internet+TV to keep people from cutting the cord; also setting caps and overage fees to artificially raise the price of streaming) and hampering infrastructure development (How's that FIOS roll-out going? Oh, right. It's not because they want to ditch wired access. How's that rural roll-out going? Oh, right. It's not because rural is not as profitable.).

Complaining that all of this will happen because of net neutrality regulations is disingenuous. All of this is ALREADY happening with the companies left to do whatever they please.

maartena
Elmo
Premium Member
join:2002-05-10
Orange, CA

8 recommendations

maartena

Premium Member

Must agree with my(your) party....

The funny thing about the whole Net Neutrality thing is that it really shouldn't be anything that is partisan, but because the Dems always have been in favor from it, the GOP therefore MUST be against. And that rolls over to those who are not thinking for themselves, but just automatically support everything the party supports, because you can't be seen disagreeing with your party.

Personally, I think Net Neutrality - especially since it really isn't a topic that has any politically laden content in it - is a prime example of how divided this country is politically, and how stupid we all are wanting to be placed in a red or a blue box.

I spoke with a hardcore Republican at work the other day and asked him what he thought about Net Neutrality. He didn't support it, but couldn't really give any reason why. (And he thought everything I brought up made sense). When I pressed a bit more, he basically said he got an email from his representative email list 3 or 4 months ago that said GOP was against net neutrality, and that is why he was too.

People really don't think anymore. You can almost build a flow chart that says:

Subject ---> What does my party think ---> Then that is what I think.
jvanbrecht
join:2007-01-08
Bowie, MD

3 recommendations

jvanbrecht

Member

This is grand standing

They know there is no way this will pass, but they have to put up the appearance of pushing the agenda of their corporate overlords, I mean donators.

It is kind of like when they introduce laws they know will be struck down by the courts, or will never pass to appease the religious portions of their constituents, they do it so that they have their name on record, so when it comes to appeasing that segment of the voters during the next election, they can go "hey, we tried"... Then again.. with recent events in Indiana, I'm starting to suspect some of these laws that most thought would never get passed.. end up passed.. so you never know I guess

bockbock
@hcs.net

3 recommendations

bockbock

Anon

Huh?

"Collins said his resolution would be the quickest way to stop heavy-handed agency regulations that would slow Internet speeds, increase consumer prices and hamper infrastructure development, especially in his Northeast Georgia district."

Slow internet speeds? The FCC has no intention to slowing down internet speeds, especially when they just readjusted the national broadband standard to 25/3 Mbps. It was republicans in Congress who blasted this measure at first if I recall. Consumer prices are already being raised (Comcast, AT&T, Verizon, Bright House, etc.) and the price gouging of customers is widespread. Hampering infrastructure development? If anything, this bill prohibits the incumbent ISPs from blocking competition in from local carriers.

KrK
Heavy Artillery For The Little Guy
Premium Member
join:2000-01-17
Tulsa, OK
Netgear WNDR3700v2
Zoom 5341J

2 recommendations

KrK

Premium Member

Can they just wear the Corporate logos of their sponsers on their clothing?

.... that way, we voters would have more information to make a better choice of which Corporations will govern us.
thxultra
join:2015-04-14
Aurora, IL

2 recommendations

thxultra

Member

Amazes me that people vote these people in

Time for American's to see who really has our backs and who doesn't. Take a list of names and vote these jokers out next election. It is obvious they don't have our best intentions in mind.
HiDesert
join:2008-08-17

2 recommendations

HiDesert

Member

I don't buy it.

The GOP acts like they are fighting for the interests of the people. But I know who they are really fighting for. Their arguments are weak to say the least. 30 years of deregulation have taken their toll.