In voting 3-2 to pass net neutrality regulation, the FCC has stirred Congress to ensure the FCC does not over-step its legal boundaries.
Rep. Marsha Blackburn has filed legislation to clarify Congress’ sole authority to regulate the Internet, stating “I agree that the Internet faces a number of challenges. Only Congress can address those challenges without compounding them. Until we do, the FCC and other federal bureaucracies should keep their hands off the ‘net.”
Rep. Blackburn has indicated that she has the support of more than 60 members, including the majority of Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Those numbers coincide with the two separate letters signed by 111 United States congressmen prior to the FCC’s vote telling them to “cease-and-desist” with their plans to regulate the Internet.
Rep. Blackburn’s bill confirms the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals decision last year, in which the Court told the FCC they did not have jurisdiction over the Internet.
-Ryan Brannan