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Today, Americans for Tax Reform condemned the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) adoption of a Notice of Inquiry aimed at regulating broadband Internet.  The plan, known as the “third way,” would reclassify the Internet as a Title II telecommunications service in order to enact Net Neutrality and other regulations.

Kelly William Cobb, executive director of Americans for Tax Reform’s Digital Liberty Project, released the following statement:

“In the face of overwhelming bipartisan opposition from the U.S. Congress, courts, and the American public, FCC Chairman Genachowski has opted to buck our system of checks-and-balances to continue his ruthless campaign to regulate the Internet.  The FCC has failed to provide any evidence of a market failure to justify these actions, instead relying on hypothetical scenarios of consumer abuse.  The FCC has no authority under current law to regulate the Internet and is dismissing strong legal precedent set by both courts and Congress.”

“The fact that Chairman Genachowski, Free Press, and Public Knowledge have dismissed free-market solutions, such as private sector self-regulation and an inter-industry dispute resolution group, shows their intent was never about Net Neutrality; they simply want government regulation of the Internet.  And despite promises to forbear from rate setting, the FCC’s vote opens the door to pursue such actions in the future, creating significant uncertainty for broadband expansion and investment.”

“Additionally, ATR commends Commissioners McDowell and Baker for standing up against this overreaching regulatory step by dissenting against the unwarranted Notice of Inquiry.”