Republicans weigh path forward after network neutrality ruling

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Republican lawmakers said they were still weighing how to move forward after a court upheld the Federal Communications Commission’s sweeping rules to ensure network neutrality.

House Communications Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) said Republicans were looking at all of their options. "So, I think that door remains open to look at this legislatively,” he said. "But I also think that between now any legislation moving forward you’ll see an appeal by those who disagree with the court’s decision.” Republicans have assailed the rules as an example of government overreach. Chairman Walden said he had doubts about whether President Barack Obama would sign off on any compromise legislation regarding the rules, especially given the court’s decision. “We’ll be evaluating it and look forward to what paths are there, but clearly with President Obama in the White House the odds of him signing a net neutrality reform bill are pretty low,” Rep Walden said. Chairman Walden and full House Commerce Committee Chair Fred Upton (R-MI) said they were "disappointed" by the ruling. Rep Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), who backs legislation blocking the rules, said that she thought the ruling improved the chances of legislative action on the regulations. “I think it does,” she said. "Well, of course, I would have preferred a different ruling,” she said. "Everybody probably understands that and we will continue to push forward.”

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune (R-SD) hinted at hopes that Congress could move forward with a solution. “Today’s decision is a clear signal that my colleagues and I need to reestablish Congress’ appropriate role in setting communications policy on a bipartisan basis,” he said in a statement with Sen Roger Wicker (R-MS).

Sen Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), who is an active voice on communications policy, predicted his party would be less interested in striking a deal now that the court battle went their way. "You know, it’s the ruling we wanted. The reason to work on legislation was that both sides of this debate had the possibility of an adverse ruling. Now that it’s been settled by the courts, there’s less of an incentive to legislate.” Sen Bill Nelson, the Ranking Member of the Commerce Committee, called the court’s decision “a significant milestone for consumer protections on the Internet.” Longtime network neutrality advocate Sen Ed Markey (D-MA) said, “Today’s court decision makes clear that net neutrality is here to stay. The court decision affirms what we already know to be true: that the FCC has the power to classify broadband Internet access service according to its best and current understanding of the technology, and how consumers harness that technology. The battle for net neutrality is the battle for our online future, and today’s ruling is a victory for consumers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and anyone who counts on the Internet to connect to the world. This decision celebrates the free and democratic expression of ideas that is the hallmark of our online ecosystem. Protecting net neutrality ensures that the best ideas, and not merely the best-funded ideas, will rule the day.”

Rep Frank Pallone (D-NJ), the Ranking Member of the House Commerce Committee, said the decision "is a momentous step to legal certainty that the internet remains an open platform for everyone." Rep Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Communications Subcommittee (she represents Silicon Valley), said, “This is a great day for all Internet users. Today’s ruling of the Court affirms what millions of Americans already knew – that net neutrality rules grounded in Title II gave the FCC the strongest legal authority to adopt strong and meaningful rules against blocking, throttling, and discrimination of online content by both wired and wireless broadband providers."


Republicans weigh path forward after network neutrality ruling Democrats Jubilant Over Net Neutrality Ruling (B&C) Dem lawmakers cheer net neutrality ruling (The Hill) Title II Decision Draws Jeers From ISPs, GOP (B&C) Press release (Chairmen Thune and Wicker) Press release (Chairmen Upton and Walden) Press release (Ranking Member Pallone) Press release (Sen Markey)