Disapproving FCC Internet and Broadband Regulations

Floor Speech

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Ms. MOORE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.J. Res. 37, a resolution of disapproval regarding the Federal Communication Commission's recent Internet and broadband industry practices ruling.

It is very telling that as we count down the hours till a likely government shut down, the majority party decides to focus their energy on net neutrality principles, rather than the American people.

I was elected into Congress to represent my constituents, including the 3,600 Federal employees in Wisconsin's fourth congressional district.

The same constituents who want answers to the very simple questions, ``Will I get paid?'' and ``Can I make my mortgage payment?''

A Government shutdown is not free of consequence. Let me take a minute to explain how serious this is to our country.

Some estimate that a week-long shut down could cost America's economy $8 billion. This would be a crushing blow to our economy as we have been seeing job growth, with more than 200,000 jobs added just last month.

Beyond that, many services will be delayed or stopped all together, including:

Tax refunds that families have budgeted for will be delayed;

Our brave men and women in the Armed Forces will still be fighting for us, but will be paid late;

Environmental reviews underway for new construction projects that create jobs will be stopped;

Federal Housing Administration would stop approving loans, threatening the housing market;

The Small Business Administration will stop giving loans to qualified small businesses that are ready to expand and create jobs;

Enrollments in programs like Social Security will be slowed;

Our national parks and museums will close affecting families who have saved up for vacation and the communities that rely on a strong tourism economy; and 800,000 Federal workers may be furloughed, which could ultimately cost the government about $175 million a day in back wages.

Now the question is--what are we doing right now to prevent it?

The answer is: Nothing. The majority has deemed it necessary for the American people to debate whether or not to disapprove of the FCC's net neutrality rule.

The bill funding the government will expire tonight at midnight. Democrats have been working with Republicans and have met them more than halfway on the cuts they proposed in their 6-month continuing resolution. Yet, Republicans are refusing to compromise--not on the spending cuts--but on what are known as ``policy riders.'' The bottom line is that this debate isn't about numbers anymore, it's about ideology.

Republicans are willing to shut down the government over debates we have been having for years over family planning services like birth control.

House Speaker JOHN BOEHNER has acknowledged that House Republicans need to compromise when he said they are clearly ``one-half of one-third of the government.'' Yet, he is beholden to the fringe of his caucus.

I urge my Republican colleagues to put the ideological partisanship aside and work together for the sake of my district and the American people.

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