Internet Neutrality

Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA) on Thursday said he intends to fight against what he called "unwise Federal Communications Commission action" and keep the Internet free from more government restrictions. The FCC on Thursday approved sweeping new regulation that ushers in broad government oversight over Internet service providers. AP Photo/Matt Rourke, file)

(AP Photo/Matt Rourke, file)

Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) on Thursday joined the roll call of GOP lawmakers who warned that new sweeping federal oversight over the Internet would have unintended consequences.

The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday voted to impose tough rules on broadband service to prevent companies like Comcast, Verizon and AT&T from creating paid fast lanes and slowing or blocking web traffic.

"The last thing the Internet needs is a massive government takeover that threatens innovation, economic freedom, and jobs. Yet the FCC's decision today to impose heavy-handed regulations on broadband providers would do just that. The FCC's decision is a big government, legally suspect solution in search of a problem that doesn't exist," Toomey said.

U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa. (PennLive file)

The plan, which puts the Internet in the same regulatory camp as the telephone and bans business practices that are "unjust or unreasonable," represents the biggest regulatory shakeup to the industry in almost two decades. The goal is to prevent providers from slowing or blocking web traffic, or creating paid fast lanes on the Internet, said FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler.

Said Toomey: "One of the main reasons why the Internet has thrived, created jobs, and provided exciting innovations is because it has never been subject to political control. That is why I intend to fight against this unwise FCC action and keep our Internet free from more government restrictions."

The Internet industry has seen relatively little government oversight. The 3-2 vote represents the biggest regulatory shake-up to telecommunications providers in almost two decades.

Industry officials and congressional Republicans fought bitterly to stave off the new regulations, which they said constitutes dangerous overreach and would eventually raise costs for consumers. The broadband industry was expected to sue.

GOP lawmakers said they would push for legislation, although it was unlikely President Obama would sign such a bill.

"Only action by Congress can fix the damage and uncertainty this FCC order has inflicted on the Internet," Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, said in a statement.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.