H.R. 5252, the Communication Opportunity, Promotion, and Enhancement Act

H.R. 5252, THE COMMUNICATION OPPORTUNITY, PROMOTION, AND ENHANCEMENT ACT -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 16, 2006)

* Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 5252, the Communication and Enhancement Act. The COPE Act would allow telephone companies to reap the rewards of the, cable business with few responsibilities and could also threaten the innovative nature of the Internet. I believe the passage of this bill would be a major setback for consumers, communities, and the public interest.

* I think we all agree that there is a need for consumer choice and competition in cable. Currently, most communities are served by the cable industry's quasi-monopolies. However, ``competition'' in cable shouldn't have the effect of, cutting consumer protections, reducing public broadcasting, and eliminating local rights. ``Competition'' shouldn't be about providing lucrative markets with several cable service options and leaving those in poorer neighborhoods with low-quality service and the potential for ever increasing cable raising rates.

* The COPE Act would put the Federal Communications Commission in charge of what our localities have been successfully handling for years. Do we really think the Federal Communications Commission will do a better job at resolving consumer complaints? Is the FCC going to come out to Skokie, Illinois and take care of problems that may arise concerning the town's public right-of-way? And, does the FCC have the resources--both in budget and personnel--to do so?

* I am also greatly concerned that there are not adequate protections in this bill for the Internet as we know it. The telecom industry has already told us that they plan to operate their own form of censorship, slowing down or speeding up delivery of content depending on it relationship to the provider. I am concerned that they could also start blocking email from advocacy groups they don't agree with and shutting down startups that may offer competition to products they provide.

* I understand that many argue that the cost of continuing with an open Internet will fall on the shoulder of consumers, and that the Titans of the Internet will get a free ride if we pass a net neutrality provision. However, while the COPE Act would allow the telcos to set up their tollbooths, there are no guarantees, no protections, nothing to stop the telcos from bilking consumers--even if the telcos were to charge Google and Yahoo. They could double dip--and why wouldn't they? One can say that it probably won't happen, but there is nothing in this bill to stop them.

* Mr. Speaker, the COPE Act is not the answer to lack of competition in cable service. I urge my colleagues to oppose its passage.

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