Senate Set to Vote on Killing Net Neutrality

UPDATE:  Today (November 10, 2011) the Senate voted along party lines (46-52) to allow the FCC to proceed with net neutrality regulations which will kill jobs and innovation. With all of the issues currently on the table regarding the economy- jobs, taxes, the debate on spending cuts- the last thing our country needs is for the federal government to be distracted.  It is ridiculous that Congress and the Senate have to spend time dealing with matters that aren’t really problems. But that is what the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is forcing our officials to do. The FCC’s rules on net neutrality are due to take effect on November 20, despite opposition from both sides of the aisle and dissent from throughout the administration.  Having already been rebuked by the House, the Senate has a little less than two weeks to overturn the regulations.  Policymakers should realize that, right now, time is of the essence.

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) is trying to stop net neutrality in its tracks with legislation that would prevent the FCC from implementing the new rules.  With a vote expected on Thursday November 10, 2011, on “S. J. RES. 6:  Disapproving the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission with respect to regulating the Internet and broadband industry practices,” the Taxpayers Protection Alliance sent a TPAPB to all Senate offices urging the Senate to vote for Sen. Hutchison’s legislation.  The House has already passed the bill overturning the FCC’s net neutrality rules.  The need for this vote to come soon is critical, as the regulations which the FCC is trying to institute are due to come into effect on November 20th.  TPA urges all taxpayers to contact their Senators and urge them to vote for this legislation (click here to find your Senator).

The FCC’s net neutrality rules are of concern for two main reasons. First, the regulations themselves are simply not needed and will do unnecessary damage both directly and indirectly to consumers, companies, and the economy-at-large. The rules would increase operating costs for service providers and, consequently, consumers, as well as decrease incentives for the communications and technology industries to invest in jobs, innovation, and the American economy.

Second, the regulations are a quintessential example of misuse of power, with the government trying to take control of something that they have no right to. The FCC never had the legislative authority to create these rules, and it does not have the constitutional right to enforce such legislation on the industry. The Senate needs to acknowledge this breach of power and take back control of the country’s legislative agenda.

If implemented, the FCC’s net neutrality rules will do more harm than good.  As Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) stated, “the Internet is not broken and does not need fixing.”

Taxpayers should hope that the Senate can overturn these rules quickly so it can get back to concentrating on the real issues.  Call your Senator now to urge them to vote for “S.J. RES. 6: Disapproving the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission with respect to regulating the Internet and broadband industry practices.”