Broadband for America Statement On Effort To Overturn FCC Order

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Broadband for America issued the following statement regarding the so-called "Day of Action" in support of a Congressional Review Act (CRA):

This CRA allows a simple majority in Congress to unilaterally overturn a Federal agency's policies and regulations -- essentially writing a law that bypasses debate and utilizes partisan voting procedures, and allows for a rushed, short-circuited approval process, with no public comment or input whatsoever.

This CRA would be a step backwards. Everyone agrees that preserving a free and open Internet for the future is an important goal, but Broadband For America does not believe that such a significant policy issue, which would affect virtually every American for generations to come, should be decided by an obscure legislative device that bypasses congressional debate and important input from the public.

The Internet is a critical engine of economic growth and a true job creator, and how we regulate it deserves thoughtful and thorough debate. Rather than relying on overheated rhetoric and symbolic legislative efforts, everyone who supports an open Internet should come together to pass a substantive, bipartisan bill that makes net neutrality the law of the land and establishes 21st century rules for a 21st century Internet.

Some lawmakers and activists are attempting to do a short-cut with this CRA effort. And what's worse, it would simply reinstate Depression-era rules on the Internet -- rules that have stifled investment and discouraged innovation in broadband infrastructure, particularly in rural communities.

No matter where you stand on the issue of the Internet's future, Congress should not be politicizing the future of the Internet. Our nation's tech "backbone" is too important for this kind of haphazard, hurried approach. It isn't controversial to ask our elected representatives to table the CRA process in favor of having a transparent, deliberate, and comprehensive discussion about the most dynamic economic driver of our time.

Contact:
Rob Tappan
Telephone: (202) 320-0842
info@BroadbandForAmerica.com

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/broadband-for-america-statement-on-effort-to-overturn-fcc-order-300604789.html

SOURCE Broadband for America