WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW) President Tom
Schatz today released the following statement in response to the
legislation introduced today by the House and Senate Democratic
leadership to reimpose Depression-era regulations on the internet:

“The unprecedented economic growth and innovation generated by the
internet is a true testament of capitalism and free market policies.
Giving the federal government greater control over the internet will
reverse this amazing progress and stifle investment in one of the
country’s most vibrant economic sectors.

“The legislation proposed by the Democratic leadership could cost the
American people hundreds of thousands of jobs, halt expansion of
broadband access in rural America, and stall innovation to improve
services that businesses need and consumers demand.

“These net neutrality Neanderthals want to enact ancient Title II
regulations from the 1930s that applied to rotary-dial telephones. The
internet is indisputably an information service, not a telephone
service. If the Democrats’ bill is enacted, it will be a slippery slope
toward the internet becoming a government-run utility and dangerous step
toward socialism. Pragmatic leaders in Congress, as well as taxpayers,
need to strongly oppose this proposed government takeover of the
internet.”

Background:

• The Democratic proposal would enact into law the Open Internet Order
  from the Obama administration, which was a two-year anomaly in the
  history of the government using a light touch in regulating the
  internet.
• It would overturn the Restoring Open Internet Freedom Order (RIFO)
  adopted by the Federal Communications Commission on December 14, 2017.
  The RIFO restored the status quo and has led to a significant increase
  in investment and innovation.
• If Democrats are serious about passing legislation that would
  establish an open internet, they would be working with Republicans on
  bills like H.R. 1006, H.R. 1096, and H.R. 1101, all of which would
  classify the internet under Title 1 and codify the open internet
  principles adopted by the FCC in 2005.

The
Council for Citizens Against Government Waste is the lobbying arm of
Citizens Against Government Waste, the nation’s largest nonpartisan,
nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating waste, fraud, abuse, and
mismanagement in government.

Contacts

Curtis Kalin (202) 467-5318