Rumors that Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski will try to get approval for new net neutrality rules before Christmas put some House Republicans in a Grinchy mood Friday.

“Rather than poison the well before the new Congress is sworn in, I urge the FCC to stand down on any movement toward net neutrality and work together with the new majority when the 112th Congress convenes in January,” Rep. Fred Upton (R, MI) said Friday. Mr. Upton is vying to lead the influential House Energy and Commerce Committee.

The committee plans to increase its scrutiny of the FCC and “Chairman Genachowski will soon be a familiar face on Capitol Hill,” Mr. Upton said.