Blackburn Calls on FCC to Delay Net Neutrality Vote

Statement

Congressman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) today called on Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler to delay the FCC Net Neutrality vote scheduled for February 26, 2015.

"Allegations that the White House may have pressured Chairman Wheeler to adopt Title II Net Neutrality regulations are troubling. This was supposed to be an open process. We have watched the FCC go through a lengthy notice and comment period only to learn that the rules may have been written behind closed doors at the White House.

"Chairman Wheeler indicated early on in this process a strong desire to follow the "blueprint' set forth by the D.C. Circuit Court in Verizon v. FCC. He even referred to the decision as an "invitation' that he "intended to accept'. Those comments make his sudden change of course more unusual and suspicious. The FCC is an independent agency and we expect them to operate as such.

"These accusations are not the result of tabloid journalism, rather they appeared in a detailed report by the Wall Street Journal. How can the Internet remain free and open if the very rules that may govern it were part of a tainted process? Chairman Wheeler should delay the FCC Net Neutrality vote scheduled for February 26th. There is much at stake, as Title II regulations will lead to billions of dollars in new fees and taxes. The seriousness of these allegations require Chairman Wheeler's attention beyond a mere statement or press release in order to assure the public that the FCC was not unduly influenced by the White House."

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