Bilirakis Responds to FCC Chairman Wheeler’s Internet Proposal

Washington, D.C. – Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, today released the following statement on Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Wheeler's proposal regarding the classification of broadband services:

"Today's announcement by FCC Chairman Wheeler of his intended rulemaking is a harmful action by a so-called independent agency that will shackle the Internet with outdated regulations. If implemented, this path will exacerbate uncertainty and almost certainly result in more court battles. If Chairman Wheeler has his way, prepare for the internet to be overregulated and for innovation to be stifled," Bilirakis said.

Bilirakis continued: "My goal is to protect Internet consumers and perpetuate a free, open Internet. Proposed draft legislation would protect consumers and ensure the Internet remains fertile ground for investment and innovation. The draft bill's language mirrors the President's public desires as well as bipartisan proposals from Members of Congress. This decision should be made by Congress to provide certainty so that investment and innovation can continue to flourish. There is no reason a bipartisan, legislative solution cannot be reached to protect every Internet user. Chairman Wheeler's proposal will make matters worse for every user of the Internet, including increased costs to the consumer."

The proposed draft legislation will preserve the future of the Internet in a durable and sustainable manner by codifying the bright-line rules and exceptions that promote innovation, and makes certain there will be no paid prioritization, no throttling, and no blocking.