Sen Thune's Plan: Give on Net Neutrality, But Put Stricter Limits on FCC

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune (R-SD) has a strategy for stopping federal regulators from seizing broad powers over the Internet: Give them what they want. Chairman Thune is working on legislation that would direct the Federal Communications Commission to protect network neutrality. But the proposal comes with strings attached -- Chairman Thune and other Republicans want to use a net neutrality bill to curb the FCC's overall power to regulate the Internet.

"Congress … is the only entity that can settle this issue with true certainty," Chairman Thune said in a speech at Reboot Congress, a libertarian technology conference. "And we can do so in a way that will empower the FCC with the strong tools many believe are needed to protect the Internet while simultaneously ensuring the agency is appropriately limited in its reach and authority."