Sen Kerry: Network Neutrality legislation unlikely, FCC must act

A congressional stalemate has made passage of a network neutrality bill unlikely for the time being, according to Sen John Kerry (D-MA).

He said regulation by the Federal Communications Commission is now the best option for government oversight of broadband Internet access. "As we work to find a path forward for governing broadband, Congressional stalemate is making a legislative solution look increasingly unlikely in the near term," Sen Kerry said. "As a result, Chairman Genachowski is now moving forward along a regulatory path. While this is an imperfect solution, it's his only real option to maintain the proper role of government oversight in communications."

Sen Kerry, a strong supporter of net neutrality himself, also encouraged the FCC to take action using its regulatory authority. "While we search for a long term solution I believe that all regulatory options should remain on the table," Sen Kerry said. "I hope that over time we can carve out a bipartisan compromise that preserves and promotes an open, ubiquitous, inclusive Internet infrastructure between Title II and an unregulated network."