Dem memo: Network neutrality repeal would tie the FCC's hands

A proposal from House Republicans to repeal network neutrality could tie the hands of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and prevent the agency from reissuing Internet line rules, which have been broadly accepted, House Democrats said.

The memo says that the Republican plan to roll back the rules through the Congressional Review Act (CRA) could create "uncertainty" about the FCC's role. The memo prepares House Commerce Committee staffers for a March 2 markup of a resolution of disapproval against network neutrality rules. The resolution was introduced by committee Republicans. The Democratic memo points out that if the House votes to disapprove of network neutrality rules, the regulations may not be reissued except by legislation, according to the Congressional Review Act. In the Democrats' view, this means the resolution would "introduce significant uncertainty regarding the role of the FCC, even where there is general agreement on the need for FCC action." The memo objects to CRA repeal of net-neutrality rules because there is "broad agreement on certain aspects of the FCC’s rules, such as the need for transparency, the prohibition on blocking of lawful content, and the right to exercise reasonable network management." The CRA repeal, however, "would bluntly remove the FCC’s authority to enforce even these consensus measures," the Democrats argue.