Sen Hutchison calls for Senate to repeal FCC’s network neutrality rules

Senate Commerce ranking member Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) called for the Senate to repeal the Federal Communications Commission's network neutrality rules.

“If ever there was a ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’ situation, it is this one. The Internet has flourished; it has created new products, new services, because it is open, because there hasn’t been a gatekeeper," Sen Hutchison said. "So now, the FCC in December came forward with a net neutrality rule to determine what’s reasonable and what isn’t. With such an arbitrary standard, companies are going to be forced to err on the side of caution." "Forcing broadband companies to say, ‘Mother may I?’ to the federal government is going to delay the implementation of the new products and services getting to the market; it’s going to increase costs to consumers. What’s good about that?" Sen Hutchison said. She said she expects a vote on the issue next week, but only because the Congressional Review Act requires an expedited determination on resolutions of disapproval. "Without that force, I guarantee you that the Senate would not be voting on it next week,” she added.

The House passed a resolution to repeal the rules in April under the Congressional Review Act. However that bill would require both Senate approval and President Obama's signature, with the latter considered particularly unlikely because net neutrality was part of Obama's campaign platform.