Congressional Members Discuss Net Neutrality, Privacy and Spectrum at CCIA Meeting

At the Washington Caucus meeting of the Computer and Communications Industry Association, Congressional leaders presented their views on preserving the Open Internet, expanding patent reform, ensuring consumer privacy online and the need for spectrum reform.

“As the Internet becomes an increasing source of commerce and communication we cannot allow it to become a walled garden,” said Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chair of the Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs and Global Competitiveness. “While it is unknown how many jobs the open Internet creates, it is clear without an open Internet it will become very difficult for businesses to sell their goods and provide services.”

Sen Wyden stated that the best way to protect consumers and ensure an open Internet was through anti-trust laws, Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Chair of the House Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, Competition and the Internet, echoed this sentiment. Rep Goodlatte expressed that he feels the Federal Communications Commission should not be regulating the issue.

Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA), ranking member of the House Communications and Technology subcommittee, also supported the open Internet and said that the FCC had the authority to act to protect consumers. She then called the debate of the joint resolution condemning the FCC on the floor of the House while the budget was not yet resolved “a royal waste of time.”