Feb. 26, 2015, Fairfax, Va.—Americans for Limited Government President Rick Manning today issued the following statement on the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) 3-2 vote in favor of new so-called “net neutrality” regulations (partial transcript of meeting enclosed):
“The FCC has voted to do that which Congress has denied — and that’s essentially to rewrite the 1934 Communications Act to treat broadband Internet as a utility under Title II. Whatever the merits of ‘net neutrality,’ the fact is that this entire process has been designed to avert the traditional, constitutional lawmaking process. It also creates much regulatory uncertainty, since broadband was previously treated as exempt ‘information services’ providers by the FCC in 2002. This is a dysfunctional regulatory precedent where an agency can simply change its interpretation of law depending on the partisan composition of the board. That is not the rule of law, it is rule by executive decree. Why even have a Congress?
“This new rule, when it is finally published, as anyone familiar with public utilities knows, will guarantee higher rates, less competition, and a regulatory burden that stifles innovation. It is nothing more than authoritarian overreach, an extra-legal assault on our system of government. The Obama regime continues its track record of disregard and disdain for precedent, the Constitution and simple fairness.”
Interview Availability: Please contact Americans for Limited Government at (703) 383-0880 ext. 106 or at media@limitgov.org to arrange an interview with ALG experts including ALG President Rick Manning.
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