Vise tightens on FCC chairman in fight over Internet rules

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Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler is under pressure from President Barack Obama to issue the strongest possible network neutrality rules despite the vehement objections of industry groups and Republicans on Capitol Hill. But “going big” with the rules would be hugely controversial, likely drawing accusations that Chairman Wheeler is playing politics with the work of an independent agency.

Chairman Wheeler has repeatedly defended the independence of the agency and insisted that it is not beholden to the executive branch. The image of independence is critical for Chairman Wheeler, given his close ties to the President. The chairman and his wife, Carol, spent six weeks knocking on doors and making phone calls for then-Sen Obama in Iowa ahead of the 2008 election, a time Wheeler once said will “rank right up there as the best six weeks of my life.” He also raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for Obama’s campaign and served on his presidential transition team after the 2008 race. Many FCC observers doubt the policy spat has caused a rift between the two men. Even in laying down the line, President Obama signaled he did not intend to leave Chairman Wheeler out in the cold. Before the announcement, President Obama dispatched National Economic Council Director Jeff Zients to the FCC to give Chairman Wheeler and FCC general counsel Jonathan Sallet a heads up.


Vise tightens on FCC chairman in fight over Internet rules