Six Republicans join unified Democrats, MoveOn.org to stifle innovation
WASHINGTON – The House Judiciary Committee today approved legislation that would mandate socalled “network neutrality,” a reversal of the “hands off” approach to Internet regulation and taxation that has allowed the Internet to grow and flourish for more than a decade.
H.R. 5417, the so-called “Internet Freedom and Nondiscrimination Act of 2006” passed out of committee today by a vote of 20-13 with one member voting “present.” The legislation seeks to solve a problem that even the staunchest supporters of network neutrality are forced to concede doesn’t exist, as there have been no examples of Internet providers blocking or degrading content.
“I’m disappointed that the House Judiciary Committee has decided to join the Democrats and ultra-liberal groups like MoveOn.org and Common Cause in calling for Internet regulation” said taxpayer advocate Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) in Washington, DC, “The Committee has started us down a dangerous path. ATR will continue to watch this issue closely”
Americans for Tax Reform and the Media Freedom Project have weighed in strongly in opposition to network neutrality legislation. ATR will rate and may double rate a floor vote for network neutrality as a vote against taxpayers.