Upton Would Force FCC to ‘Stand Down’ on Reclassification
Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., “will prevent the FCC from regulating the Internet,” if he becomes chairman of the Commerce Committee, he said in a memo circulated this week to GOP colleagues. Upton, viewed by many in the industry as the frontrunner for the job, formally announced his intent to lead the committee separately in a letter Monday to GOP Leader John Boehner of Ohio and other Republicans.
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"The FCC’s regulatory compass must be broken as they continue in their unrelenting pursuit to impose so-called network neutrality regulations, regardless of whether the agency has the legal authority for such a blind power grab, and whether such regulations will actually undermine the FCC’s ability to achieve the goals of the National Broadband Plan,” Upton said in the memo. “The FCC must stand down from pursuing a course unauthorized and opposed by Congress."
Upton also plans to promote family values, he said in the memo. “I have long fought to curb indecency in public broadcasting, protect our kids from online predators, and promote an accurate and transparent video game rating system.” Upton sponsored the 2005 Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act, which increased the level of fines the FCC could impose for violating its decency standards, he reminded Boehner in the letter to Republicans, released Tuesday.
Upton has in mind “a conservative agenda that focuses on cutting spending, removing the regulatory burden, restoring freedom, keeping government accountable through rigorous oversight, and jobs,” Upton told Boehner. Under Upton, the committee would also be “relentless in our oversight duties,” he said. “The job-killing policies of Obama and Pelosi end here."
Commerce Committee Ranking Member Joe Barton, R-Texas, recently said Upton has a “more moderate” record than he. Barton is seeking a waiver from GOP term limit rules so he can be the committee chairman next year. But Upton this week emphasized his conservative credentials. “I have always been and always will be a loyal Republican,” he said in the memo.
Upton said he wouldn’t dictate policy to the committee. “I alone do not have all the answers,” he said. “Everyone on the Committee will play an active role.” Upton promised “a coordinated approach that involves other Committees and our Conference, and focuses on an aggressive communications strategy that effectively articulates our message to the American people.”