FCC Net Neutrality Rules Amendment On House Floor

House Communications Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) proposed an amendment to the FY 2011 spending bill that would block Federal Communications Commission funding for implementation of new network neutrality rules.

Chairman Walden said on the House floor that the government has so far had a hands-off approach to the Internet, and said there is "no crisis warranting departure from this approach." Rep José Serrano (D-NY) argued that the FCC should be able to take some steps to regulate Internet traffic. Rep Ed Markey (D-MA) added that the history of telecom companies shows that stagnant monopolies will form in these industries, and FCC regulation will help ensure the same thing does not happen with the Internet. Rep Anna Eshoo (D-CA) agreed and said the absence of regulations will allow larger companies to carve up online territory and raise costs for consumers. "I think that your disdain for government is spilling over onto the Internet," Eshoo said. "This is so wrong, and it simply says to me that you don't get it."