FCC trumps Congress in net neutrality fight

New proposed network neutrality rules from the Federal Communications Commission are sidelining Congress in the fight.

Some lawmakers, particularly on the Republican side of the aisle, say they remain committed to moving forward with parallel legislation. But that initiative may be rendered irrelevant by the tough new rules on the horizon. Legal challenges to the FCC’s rules are now likely to take center stage.

“Now it just heads to the courts,” said Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR), the head of the House subcommittee on Communications and Technology. “I think they’re on the wrong path, I think they made a wrong decision and I think they’re going to have a lot of explaining to do in the courts, where this will spend its life.”