FCC Chairman Wheeler Contacted Obama Administration About Net Neutrality

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler said at the House Communications Subcommittee oversight hearing that he had reached out to the Administration on the network neutrality issue, but that it had not tried to direct a decision.

Rep Mike Pompeo (R-KS) asked Chairman Wheeler point blank if he had spoken with anyone at the White House Office of Management and Budget about network neutrality -- it was a campaign issue with then-Senator Obama, who has remained a supporter of open Internet rules. Chairman Wheeler said yes, but only to keep it apprised. He said the Administration recognized the FCC was an independent agency and said he was the one who called them. He said from his discussions "with the President on down" that "never have I or anyone felt any pressure to decide any issue."