ISP Loyal Politicians Still Trying to Covertly Kill Neutrality Congress simply won't stop trying to kill net neutrality and other pro-consumer FCC efforts via language sneakily attached to budget bills. The House Appropriations Committee on Thursday voted 29-17 to approve a funding bill (pdf) quietly embedded with a provision that would effectively stop the FCC from protecting net neutrality or bringing competition to the cable set top box.

As written, the bill would prevent the FCC from enforcing any net neutrality infractions until the telecom industry's lawsuits over the rules have been settled in the courts. Chairman of the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee Ander Crenshaw (R, FL) claims the bill amendments are an attempt "to turn the FCC's focus to 'mission critical' work and away from politically charged rulemakings." Except net neutrality has broad, bipartisan consumer support, as do most of the FCC's recent, uncharacteristically pro-consumer efforts. Another provision prohibits the FCC from moving forward on its plan to break the cable industry's monopoly over cable boxes until the plan gets sent back for protracted study. That's effectively a gimmick intended to bury the idea in committee, something pushed for by cable companies worried about losing $21 billion in captive revenue annually. FCC boss Tom Wheeler recently stated a protracted additional studies weren't necessary because of the extensive public comment period that would lead up to the full rules. "The notice-and-comment process, as well as subsequent ex parte communications, will constitute the most complete and thorough examination of this issue ever undertaken or contemplated," Wheeler said. Consumer advocate groups issued statements making it abundantly clear they were growing weary with telecom-beholden politicians trying to covertly dismantle any FCC attempts to improve service quality and pricing for consumers. "Today featured more of the same from a handful of elected officials who are doing the bidding of industry lobbyists dead-set on reversing the FCC’s Net Neutrality order," said consumer advocacy group Free Press. "The representatives voting for these measures care more about protecting cable companies than their own constituents. But the public won’t stand for any scheme to sneak these attacks into spending bills and legislate away internet freedoms." “Public Knowledge remains committed to thwarting any attempts to abuse the appropriations process in an effort to undermine federal agencies’ mandates to protect consumers, and promote competition and innovation in the 21st century," said Public Knowledge in its own statement. "We encourage all Members of the House to oppose this bill as long as it contains these harmful policy riders.” In addition to stealth bill riders and other hidden amendments, politicians loyal to telecom campaign contribution have dragged Wheeler and the FCC in front of what's been an endless series of taxpayer-funded hearings held under the pretense of ensuring FCC "accountability and transparency." In reality, the hearings sole purpose have been to try and shame the agency for standing up to telecom giants like AT&T and Comcast. Ultimately the efforts are not only annoying and costly to taxpayers, they're simply not succeeding. The only way for the net neutrality rules to be killed is by successful ISP lawsuit (a ruling on which is expected any day now) or via Presidential election and the repopulating of the FCC with significantly more AT&T and Comcast-friendly Commissioners intent on voting to dismantle net neutrality.. Ultimately the efforts are not only annoying and costly to taxpayers, they're simply not succeeding. The only way for the net neutrality rules to be killed is by successful ISP lawsuit (a ruling on which is expected any day now) or via Presidential election and the repopulating of the FCC with significantly more AT&T and Comcast-friendly Commissioners intent on voting to dismantle net neutrality..







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Most recommended from 20 comments



Anondb331

@teksavvy.com 12 recommendations Anondb331 Anon Go to Jail, Do Not Pass Go Send these guys to jail for subverting the political process.

fiosultimate

join:2014-06-09

San Antonio, TX 6 recommendations fiosultimate Member . They are the current political process

bluefox8

join:2014-08-20 5 recommendations bluefox8 Member Not the real problem Net Neutrality is not the real problem but just a side effect. Data caps are not the real problem but also a side effect. Bundling, data mining of your web browsing habits, poor customer service and exorbitant prices are just side effects too.



The 'real' problem is lack of competition in the ISP space. If we fix the real underlying problem, the above would evaporate on their own. Think local loop unbundling, elimination of franchise agreements, and local ownership of the last mile (by HOA or town or county - doesn't matter). Paul in WA

join:2010-09-11

Centralia, WA 3 recommendations Paul in WA Member Not surprising Its crap like this that has gotten the electorate to support the "No more business as usual" candidates on both sides of the aisles.

batterup

I Can Not Tell A Lie.

Premium Member

join:2003-02-06

Netcong, NJ 3 recommendations batterup Premium Member "Net Neutrality" is a myth. Netflix pays for fast lanes and company branded streaming, "Go90", doesn't count against the cap.