comment
E-mail
Print
share
Upton: Battling net-neutrality part of keeping GOP 'Pledge'
By Sara Jerome - 12/01/10 03:04 PM ET

House Republicans may need to oppose a net-neutrality proposal by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) if they are to make good on the "Pledge to America," according to a key Energy and Commerce member.

Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) suggested the GOP would have to work to dismantle net-neutrality rules if it to keep the promises they made to voters in the run-up to the midterm elections, including a vow to scrutinize how federal policies impact the economy.

"As a plank in our pledge, we would examine every regulation that would cost the economy over a hundred million dollars," he said. "This would be at the top of the heap the very first week."

Upton, a frontrunner to become the House Energy and Commerce Chairman, said he would make sure the Communications subcommittee and Oversight subcommittee work to halt the FCC if it moves ahead on net neutrality.

"We're going to be like a dog to a frisbee on this," he said.

He also criticized the FCC for staging a vote "nearly on Christmas eve" and before Republicans assume the majority, since the next FCC meeting is Dec. 21.

"That's not the way to operate with a new team in town," he said.

Two other contenders for the chairmanship also spoke up about the FCC's action on Wednesday.


Reps. Joe Barton (R-Texas) and Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.), the top Republicans on the full committee and the telecom subcommittee, wrote to FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski commending him for his choice against reclassifying broadband, a stricter plan the FCC originally floated as a path forward on net neutrality.

Barton and Stearns also asked Genachowski to prove he has the legal authority to regulate network management practices.

House Republican Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) criticized how the FCC has dealt with the telecommunications industry, in his view strong-arming companies into supporting new regulations.

"I am also troubled by the process under which the proposed rules have been crafted," he said. "The companies that power our economy should not be forced to choose between bad and worse. Rest assured we intend to conduct rigorous oversight and explore all our legislative options to put things back on the proper track."



http://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-valle ... gop-pledge


Kathyet