No Rate Regulation of Broadband Internet Access Act

Floor Speech

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Ms. CLARKE of New York. I thank our ranking member, Ms. Eshoo, and the chairman.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to oppose H.R. 2666, the No Rate Regulation of Broadband Internet Access Act, which would prohibit the FCC from regulating rates for broadband Internet access.

I agree with the premise behind the bill. The Commission should not be setting rates for broadband access. In fact, we have heard from FCC Chairman Wheeler. He has stated several times that he does not intend to set rates.

Like millions of Americans who made their voices heard last year, I support a free and open Internet. I do not believe the FCC needs to get into the business of regulating consumer broadband rates. H.R. 2666, however, is overbroad and far-reaching. The unintended consequences of the bill before us would undermine important consumer protections and would threaten a free and open Internet.

For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to oppose the bill before us today.

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Ms. CLARKE of New York. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to support the Lujan, Pallone, Yarmuth, and Clarke amendment.

This commonsense amendment would ensure that the FCC can easily determine who is paying for political ads. More specifically, this amendment would guarantee that nothing in this bill would prevent the FCC from requiring that TV broadcast stations, AM and FM radio broadcast stations, cable operators, direct broadcast satellite service providers, or satellite digital audio radio service providers upload the public inspection file in the format that is machine- readable.

Unfortunately, there is a large amount of unlimited money moving through our electoral system. This amendment gives all voters the peace of mind of knowing our elections are fair and transparent.

I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

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