Senator Bill Cassidy | Sen. Bill Cassidy Official Website
Senator Bill Cassidy | Sen. Bill Cassidy Official Website
WASHINGTON– U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), John Thune (R-SD), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and 39 Republican colleagues have called on Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel to abandon her proposal to reinstate Obama-era regulations on the internet. The senators argue that these regulations would hinder the progress made in broadband investment, deployment, and affordability.
In a letter to Chairwoman Rosenworcel, the senators emphasized the success story of the internet's growth in the United States. They highlighted the increase in broadband investment, deployment, and speeds, as well as the improved affordability of high-speed internet access.
"The growth of the internet continues to be a great American success story. Broadband investment has increased, deployment has increased, speeds have increased, and high-speed internet access has become more affordable than ever," said the senators.
The senators expressed concerns that reinstating heavy-handed regulations would impede competition, choice, investment, and result in slower speeds and higher prices. They also argued that the FCC lacks statutory authority over broadband internet access and that any attempt to reinstate net neutrality regulations would not survive judicial review.
The senators urged Chairwoman Rosenworcel to focus on bipartisan efforts to address real challenges in the country, such as waste, fraud, and abuse in broadband subsidy programs, and regulatory and permitting obstacles to broadband deployment.
The letter was signed by Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA), John Thune (R-SD), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and 39 Republican colleagues.
This comes after Senator Cassidy's push for fair broadband funding in Louisiana through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Louisiana is set to receive $1.3 billion for broadband funding, enabling millions of students, small businesses, and families to gain access to high-speed internet.
The full letter to Chairwoman Rosenworcel can be read here.
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For additional details, please follow this link: https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cassidy-thune-cruz-republican-colleagues-oppose-biden-fccs-internet-takeover
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