Congresswoman Matsui Statement on the FCC's Historic Vote on Net Neutrality
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, February 26, 2015
CONTACT: JONELLE TRIMMER
(202) 225-7163
Congresswoman Matsui Statement on the FCC's Historic Vote on Net Neutrality
Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-06), a Member of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee, issued the following statement after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to adopt landmark rules that will protect and preserve net neutrality:
"Today is a historic day for the Internet Age. After a record four million public comments and months of debate, the FCC has passed strong net neutrality rules that will protect consumers, small businesses, and encourage innovation. I am pleased that the rules ensure that so-called paid prioritization schemes never see the light of day in our economy. Americans will not experience Internet slow lanes or gatekeepers hindering traffic. Small businesses, startups, libraries, and hospitals will not be forced to cut special paid agreements simply to provide their content or service online.
"With the absolute ban on paid prioritization, the rules adopted today by the FCC will ensure that all data is treated equally - a cornerstone principle of the Internet. The next Google or Amazon, the kid in the garage or dorm room that has a good idea but little capital, will succeed based on the strength of their ideas, not whether they can pay for prioritized service online.
"I commend Chairman Wheeler, and Commissioners Clyburn and Rosenworcel for their leadership in protecting a free and open Internet. I especially applaud Commissioners Clyburn and Rosenworcel for getting outside of the Beltway during this process and engaging with my constituents at a Field Hearing I hosted in Sacramento last September. The hearing included a wide-range of stakeholders and provided tangible examples of the negative consequences a two-tiered Internet would have on our economy. It is clear that this message - echoed by the millions who commented - was heard loud and clear by the FCC.
"Today's rules are a step in the right direction; however this is not the end of the road. Tomorrow we must roll up our sleeves and continue the fight to preserve net neutrality. The Internet economy is dynamic; what's new today may not be tomorrow. The FCC must maintain its flexibility for the digital future.
"Moving forward, I will monitor the implementation phase of these rules and continue to work with my colleagues in a bipartisan manner on any legislative efforts needed to preserve an open Internet."
Earlier this year, Congresswoman Matsui and Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, introduced H.R. 196 the Online Competition and Consumer Choice Act. This bicameral legislation would require the FCC to ban so-called "paid prioritization" agreements between a broadband provider and a content provider, helping prevent the creation of a two-tiered Internet system and ensuring start-ups and entrepreneurs have access to the marketplace and that consumers can access all content equally.
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