FCC Chairman Wheeler: President Obama didn't dictate Web rules

Federal regulators did not need President Barack Obama to arrive at the network neutrality rules that it voted to issue, according to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler.

After the agency voted to issue tough new rules that fell largely in line with those the President wanted, Chairman Wheeler countered Republican concerns that the White House put any undue pressure on the legally independent agency. “I’m quite comfortable that we made this decision with independence and wisdom and based on the record,” he told reporters after the vote.

“The President has been well-known -- on record for a long time in favor of net neutrality,” Chairman Wheeler said. “So have I.” “Presidents always communicate their opinions to the FCC,” he added. “That’s nothing new.”