Chairman Walden: FCC Title II Move Would Disrupt Relationship With Congress

If the Federal Communications Commission were to try to classify Internet access service under title II common carrier regulations, it would be a "major disruption in the relationship between Congress and the FCC," House Communications Subcommittee Greg Walden (R-OR) warned.

"I hope they would not proceed down that path." Speaking to reporters at a press conference, Chairman Walden was responding to a question about what the FCC would do if a federal court overturned the FCC's current open Internet rules. While the FCC did not pursue Title II classification in that compromise order, the docket remains open and Walden, along with a number of other Republicans and industry execs, believe that is so it remains an option if the court rules in favor of Verizon's challenge to the rules. He said for the FCC to classify the Internet as a common carrier would open the door for states to do the same thing. Chairman Walden said no bill to give the FCC power to regulate the Internet would come out "on his watch."