Dems take network neutrality message on the road

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) said that a plan to allow some companies to pay for "fast lanes" on the Internet "runs contrary to every principle I believe the Internet was based on."

Sen Leahy made the comments as part of a field hearing in Burlington (VT), with Rep Peter Welch (D-VT). The two ripped the Federal Communications Commission plans for "fast lanes," and called for tougher FCC regulations to ensure Internet service providers can't give special treatment to some online content. The two argued the fast lanes could lead to a slower Internet for their constituents.

“We’re not going to have an economy in Vermont if we don’t have an accessible Internet,” said Rep Welch, who serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and its subcommittee on Communications. “I see this as absolutely essential to the future of Vermont's economy as well as rural America," he added. "We’ve got folks here on the front lines whose access to the Internet is crucial to the jobs that they created, the good jobs that we have in Vermont.”

Sen Leahy said his constituents had "spoken very clearly” on the issue.