Taxpayers Protection Alliance Responds to Net Neutrality Bill

For Immediate Release                                                                             Contact: Abigail Graham: (202) 417-7235

July 28, 2022                                                                                                   

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), along with co-sponsors U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and U.S. Rep. Doris Matsui (D-Calif.), introduced legislation that would reimplement Title II common carrier regulations on internet service providers, and allow the Federal Communications Commission to reimpose so-called “net neutrality” rules that would prevent throttling, blocking or paid prioritization.

In response, TPA Director of Telecom Policy Johnny Kampis offered the following comment:

“Sen. Markey claims that the deregulation of the internet under former FCC Chairman Ajit Pai left broadband consumers unprotected. But as data has shown, and Taxpayers Protection Alliance’s own investigation highlighted, no widespread throttling, blocking or other consumer harm occurred after the Title II rules were repealed. Markey’s claims are pure malarkey.”

In his tweet highlighting the bill, Markey said that his legislation, which would codify broadband access as an essential service, will equip the FCC with the tools it needs to increase broadband accessibility.

To this, Kampis replied: “The country already has the tools it needs to close the digital divide, with billions in taxpayer dollars flowing to every state to boost broadband access. Studies have shown that private provider investment increased after the regulatory uncertainty of Title II rules were taken away. Markey’s bill, if anything, will harm the gains made in the past few years.” 

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Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to educating the public through the research, analysis and dissemination of information on the government’s effects on the economy.