Republicans say they want net neutrality rules, too

A Q&A with Rep Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA). 

Like her Democratic colleagues, Rep McMorris Rodgers agrees that rules are needed to ban internet service providers from blocking or slowing web traffic on their networks. She even agrees with Democrats and consumer advocates that broadband providers shouldn't be charging companies for speedier access to consumers. But she stops short of supporting the Democrats' net neutrality bill -- the Save the Internet Act -- that's been introduced in the House and Senate, because she says it gives the Federal Communications Commission too much authority. Her bill, as well as two others introduced by Republicans in February, includes the bright-line rules, but still strips the FCC of oversight.  Instead, it makes the Federal Trade Commission the net neutrality watchdog. "I am most concerned about a regulatory approach that classifies the internet under Title II [of the Telecommunications Act] and applies 1930s regulations to the internet," Rep McMorris Rodgers said. "I am concerned about the impact on innovation and investment. When we saw the [2015] FCC regulations put in place, it resulted in a pulling back of investment among small and medium-sized ISPs. These are the ones that operate largely in rural and underserved areas. I represent a district that still has some tremendous broadband needs. We need more deployment, and I am concerned that these areas are being left behind and that this kind of an approach will have even more of a negative impact on those deployments."