“With the net neutrality debate raging at the FCC, it’s easy to forgot that net neutrality remains an issue inside of Congress, too,” Jacob Kastrenakes reports for The Verge. “On the Senate floor today, Sen. John Thune (R-SD) asked net neutrality supporters on ‘both sides of the aisle’ to come work with him on a legislative solution.”
Congressional action is the only way to solve the endless back and forth on net neutrality rules that we’ve seen over the past several years. If my colleagues on the other side of the aisle and those who claim to support net neutrality rules want to enshrine protections for consumers with the backing of the law, I call on you today to join me in discussing legislation that would do just that. — U.S. Senator John Thune (R-SD)
“Thune has supported the effort to pass net neutrality legislation for several years now, so his statement today is nothing new. But it shows that, even as Republicans are generally getting what they want from the FCC, there’s recognition that this won’t be the end of the debate. The only way to ensure that this process doesn’t happen all over again when the executive branch changes parties is to put a law in place,” Kastrenakes reports. “‘While we’re not going to agree on everything, I believe there is much room for compromise,’ Thune said. ‘So many of us in Congress already agree on many of the principles of net neutrality… if Republicans and Democrats have the political support to work together on such a compromise, we can enact a regulatory framework that will stand the test of time.'”
“While Thune has indicated his support for a net neutrality law, he also speaks quite favorably of the FCC’s current plan to get rid of the rules already in place, calling the Title II policies ‘burdensome’ and ‘onerous,'” Kastrenakes reports. “‘There is obviously immense passion that follows the issue of net neutrality,’ Thune said. ‘Americans care deeply about preserving a free and open internet, as do and I and so many of my colleagues here in the United States Senate on both sides of the aisle.'”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: There is a right way and a wrong way to do things. The former is harder, but lasting; the latter is quicker, but ephemeral.
Real net neutrality legislation is the solution to the FCC/FTC regulatory seesaw.
SEE ALSO:
Millions of people post ‘net neutrality’ comments on FCC docket; many are fake – December 12, 2017
U.S. FCC rejects calls to delay vote to repeal so-called ‘net neutrality’ rules – December 5, 2017
Dear Aunt Sadie, please step back from the so-called ‘net neutrality’ ledge – November 27, 2017
U.S. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai: Killing Obama-era rules for so-called ‘net neutrality’ will set the internet free – November 22, 2017
U.S. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai: How the FCC can save the open internet – November 21, 2017
U.S. FCC plans total repeal of Obama-era rules for so-called ‘net neutrality’ – November 21, 2017
U.S. FCC plans December vote to kill so-called ‘net neutrality’ rules – November 16, 2017
Apple’s call for ‘strong’ net neutrality rules is a hint about the future of its business – September 1, 2017
Apple breaks their silence on ‘net neutrality,’ remains open to alternative sources of legal authority – August 31, 2017
Trump administration gives thumbs up to overturning FCC’s rules for so-called ‘net neutrality’ – July 19, 2017
]Apple’s deafening silence on so-called ‘net neutrality’ – July 14, 2017
FCC kicks off effort to roll back so-called ‘net neutrality’ rules – May 18, 2017
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai explains why he wants to scrap so-called ‘net neutrality’ rules – April 28, 2017
FCC Chief Ajit Pai develops plans to roll back so-called ‘net neutrality’ rules – April 7, 2017
U.S. FCC chairman wields weed whacker, takes first steps against so-called ‘net neutrality’ – February 3, 2017
How so-called ‘net neutrality’ will fare under President Trump – January 26, 2017
New FCC chairman Ajit Pai vows to take a ‘weed whacker’ to so-called ‘net neutrality’ – January 24, 2017
President Trump elevates Ajit Pai to FCC Chairman – January 23, 2017
Outgoing FCC chief Tom Wheeler offers final defense of so-called ‘net neutrality’ – January 13, 2017
Under President Trump, Obama ally Google may face policy setbacks, including roll back of so-called ‘net neutrality’ rules – November 18, 2016
Jeb Bush on FCC and so-called ‘net neutrality’ regulation: ‘One of the craziest ideas I’ve ever heard’ – March 8, 2015
Who loves the FCC’s overreach on so-called ‘net neutrality?’ Telecom lawyers – March 5, 2015
As I wrote of the FCC net neutrality action here on MDN on Nov. 22:
This is one step on the path towards getting what we all want: Real competition that drives down prices.
Republican leaders of the Senate Commerce and House Energy & Commerce committees called again Wednesday for Democrats to come to the negotiating table.
“It’s now time for Republicans and Democrats, internet service providers, edge providers, and the internet community as a whole to come together and work toward a legislative solution that benefits consumers and the future of the internet,” Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Reps. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) said in a joint statement on Wednesday.
The FCC overstepped and is the wrong policeman for the job. As usual, the Obama administration made the wrong choice: heavy-handed forced regulation that stifles innovation and retards the system from achieving the necessary balance.
As usual, the knee-jerkers (see many of the idiotic commenters here) can’t see past the tip of their noses and can’t see even one move ahead, much less the multiple moves this is going to take to get to where it needs to be.
The Internet is relatively new, especially to the glacially slow pace of government. Pai is trying to set up a situation where legislative solutions can be crafted, i.e. LAW, not a president’s whim that can be overturned with the next president’s stroke of a pen.
Getting the policing of “net neutrality” out of the FCC is merely the first step.
Congress can pass whatever laws it likes whether the FCC has regulations in place or not. Repealing the existing rules just removes any limits on ISPs. It isn’t a first step to anything else.
Marsha Blackburn is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Telecommunications Lobby and AT&T in particular. Her Home Economics Degree from Mississippi State qualifies her as an expert on communications policy in the minds of Republicans.
If Apple had an illustrated dictionary on it’s devices, her face would pop up under tool, crony and dullard.
By the way, there is now one less Republicon to serve K-Street. Thanks, Alabama.
K Street is definitely an ongoing problem, GPS Fusion and many others. No party is immune …
Ms Blackburn is not just someone who takes money or someone who does their bidding, she is blatantly in the pocket of AT&T and does not even attempt to hide it. The poster child for the very worst in political corruption.
Yet you constantly act as partisan cheerleader even when you know that your party is acting against the interests of Amercan citizens. Funny that.
I am not a registered Republican, never have been and made that clear here dozens of times. Some skulls are thicker than others.
Please tell the rest of the class exactly how the REPUBLICANS are “acting against the interests of Amercan citizens.” Hmmm? …
First Whatever:
You are deliberately ignoring the facts.
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2017/12/ajit-pai-claims-net-neutrality-hurt-small-isps-but-data-says-otherwise/
Yes, indeed …
Typical republican jackasses. Deplorable.
Typical Libtard jackasses. And they know all about “deplorable” …
Facts show that ISPs had no problems growing their networks or improving their tech with th NN rule in place. The republican calls for toll lanes is a pure greed push from telecom giants. What do the usual alt right trolls propose will be better if we allow telecoms to have unchecked price and speed power? They must think it makes America great to have all data be throttled according to your ability to pay.
Pai reeks of corruption.
Verizon lobbyists will have heaps of gaudy presents under their trees this year!
The first thing I would do after Butt Boy Pai eliminates all obstacles to profiteering would be to start throttling the hell out of Alexa, Siri, Apple TV, or Fire sticks. Why? Because we got the pipes Nd the only thing that people will have the patience to download will be our content, our subscription services. If Netflix and those pesky liberal California media companies want to deliver anything to consumers, then they will just have to start wiring massive funds to the Swiss bank accounts of the ISPs.
Why not? It’s just business the Trump way. If Apple thinks they want to sell another Apple TV, well, pay to play is the Alt Right way.
If you truly think that this cronyism you speak of is unique to Republicans, Trump or Pai, then you’re part of the problem. Blind ideology is a dangerous precedent, not just for politicians but also for (and especially for) voters. The FCC was never and will never be in a position to effectively handle Net Neutrality or any issue of similar scope. If you doubt that, then just look at what something as simple as regime change is doing to the process. The only resolution is to legislate permanently and open the doors to due process efforts should these ISP’s behave badly.
Pay to play. Can you say Clinton Foundation? …
I’m for being able to use internet freely after paying my KomKast bill, but it still doesn’t seem quite right that some people can just stream all they want for the same price I pay. Of course, I could be wrong. I thought I was one time. But I was mistaken.
“I’m for being able to use internet freely after paying my KomKast bill, but… I’m also NOT for being able to use internet freely after paying my KomKast bill. I would much rather pay per movie I watch, it’s only fair!!”
Why is it that the people NOT in favor always use arguments counter to what they’re saying IN the same sentence?
Setting the partisan name calling aside, I’m rather disgusted at the ISP’s that file for exemptions under Title II to build out their network then cry wolf when it comes time to operate under those same T2 requirements.
They stand before Congress in sack cloth and ashes, saying how poor they are and how onerous these rules are, yet they go to shareholders and investors showing off how great they are doing and how much profit they are bringing in.
Regardless of who gets oversight, there needs to be some mechanism to hold offenders accountable. They have already shown they can’t be trusted to allow free communication and feel it’s their right to charge whatever they want. The internet can’t be allowed to become blocked by tolls and charges by monopolies who want to wring out every last coin they can.
I’m just wondering why there was no “so-called”. C’mon, MDN, you’ve missed it twice today!
They put “Net Neutrality” in scare quotes. That is essentially the same as using “so-called.” If you use both, it is the grammatical equivalent of a double negative.
Dr. Peter Venkman: This city is headed for a disaster of biblical proportions.
Mayor: What do you mean, “biblical”?
Dr. Raymond Stantz: What he means is Old Testament, Mr. Mayor, real wrath of God type stuff.
Dr. Peter Venkman: Exactly.
Dr. Raymond Stantz: Fire and brimstone coming down from the skies! Rivers and seas boiling!
Dr. Egon Spengler: Forty years of darkness! Earthquakes, volcanoes…
Winston Zeddemore: The dead rising from the grave!
Dr. Peter Venkman: Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together… mass hysteria!
Mayor: All right, all right! I get the point!
Anything that insult LYING Ajit Pai, dictator of the FCC, is GREAT WITH ME!
But let’s face it. Our lazy, techno-ignorant US congress, BOTH parties, should have addressed this YEARS ago. Bravo to Thune if he can kick their ignorant lazy butts into gear at long bloody last.
PS: To hell with the corporatocracy!