Rep Blackburn Outlines Path to Network Neutrality Reversal, Communications Act Rewrite

Rolling back network neutrality rules and replacing them with legislation that establishes the “rules of the road” for internet service providers will be a priority for House Republicans in 2017, Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) said.

Rep. Blackburn, a member of President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team and a candidate to lead the House Commerce Committee’s Communications and Technology Subcommittee, said Republicans are intent on reversing Obama-era net neutrality rules that reclassified broadband companies as common carriers under the 1934 Communications Act. That move allowed the Federal Communications Commission to regulate internet service providers the same way as traditional phone companies. “I think you will see us address a net neutrality fix early in the next Congress,” Rep Blackburn told an audience at a Free State Foundation event. “I also believe you are going to see a legislative solution as opposed to a regulatory solution for this issue.” Rep Blackburn added, “A legislative fix is going to give you in the industry the certainty that you need so that you know what the rules of the road are for standards for internet conduct.”