Lobbyists question take-down of websites

Lawyers and lobbyists are accusing regulatory agencies of unnecessarily blocking access to websites during the government shutdown.

"I can't help wondering whether this is a political call," a Republican telecom lawyer said. "Is it really necessary to completely cut off Internet access?" Agencies including the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have entirely shut down their websites, preventing the public from accessing regulations, filings and other documents. Congressional Republicans have accused the Obama Administration of “maximizing the pain” of the shutdown to increase Democrats’ leverage in negotiations.