Judiciary Committee to Examine Net Neutrality Rule

Washington, D.C. – On Wednesday, March 25, 2015 at 10:00 a.m., the House Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing titled “Wrecking the Internet to Save It? The FCC’s Net Neutrality Rule.”  At the hearing members of the Committee will examine the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) recently approved net neutrality rule that will regulate broadband Internet service under Title II of the Communications Act. Following the FCC’s approval of its net neutrality rule, twenty-one Members of the House Judiciary Committee, led by Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), sent a letter to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler expressing deep concern over this new rule and the affect it will have on the future of the Internet.  Also in the letter, the Members called on Chairman Wheeler to come before the House Judiciary Committee to discuss this new regulatory approach, which seems to rely on the false premise that regulation will result in increased competition. Witnesses for the upcoming hearing are:

• Mr. Tom Wheeler, Chairman, Federal Communications Commission
• Mr. Ajit Pai, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission
• Mr. Joshua Wright, Commissioner, Federal Trade Commission

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) issued the statement below on the March 25^th hearing: Chairman Goodlatte: “The Internet is one of the most dynamic and competitive marketplaces in existence and has become a cornerstone of the American economy and culture.  The success of the Internet is due in large part to the fact that it has remained free of onerous regulations, until now.  Many experts agree that the FCC’s recent approval of net neutrality rules, placing burdensome regulations on the provision of Internet service, will result in  consumers having fewer choices while paying higher prices. “The Internet doesn’t need an inflexible ‘one-size-fits-all’ government mandate to ensure net neutrality.  The key to an open and free Internet lies in strong enforcement of our nation’s antitrust laws. These time-trusted laws allow for maximum flexibility and consistently have demonstrated their ability to prevent discriminatory and anti-competitive conduct in the marketplace.” This hearing will take place in 2141 Rayburn House Office Building and will be webcast live at /. Camera crews wishing to cover must be congressionally-credentialed and RSVP with the House Radio-TV Gallery at (202) 225-5214.