IA Endorses Markey-Doyle Net Neutrality CRA, Drawing Opponents' Criticism
The Internet Association endorsed planned Congressional Review Act resolution of disapproval to undo FCC rescission of 2015 net neutrality rules, saying in a Thursday letter to Senate leaders the order “represents the complete reversal of broad, bipartisan consensus in the…
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operation of the internet, and leaves consumers with no meaningful” net neutrality protections. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., and House Communications Subcommittee ranking member Mike Doyle, D-Pa., are spearheading the planned resolution, which has the support of 50 senators and more than 130 House members (see 1712110050 and 1712120037). Markey has been courting Republicans in search of 51 in the chamber, tweeting Wednesday “that’s all we need to secure victory” on the resolution. “While the CRA will help alleviate immediate concerns, the internet industry urges Congress to legislate a permanent solution,” said IA President Michael Beckerman in the letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. “Legislation that memorializes all of the protections from the 2015 [FCC rules] would also enjoy support from IA and its member companies. The time has come for a bipartisan effort to establish permanent net neutrality rules." Critics of the old rules quickly issued statements rebuking the CRA bid, in response to IA's endorsement. Congress shouldn't “pursue half measures like the CRA which would merely be kicking the can,” said USTelecom CEO Jonathan Spalter. “Consumers deserve policy frameworks that apply equally to all Internet companies they engage with, including their network operators and the content providers.” The Internet Innovation Alliance said it “has long called for a new law in this area, based on the core principles of an open internet: no blocking of legitimate online content, no throttling” and a ban on paid prioritization. “The open internet principles of the FCC's 2010 Open Internet Order would serve as a useful model,” IIA said. “This bill should also contain strong protections for consumers’ online privacy.”