The FCC is set to announce new rules on net neutrality that would determine if the Internet remains free and open or subject to treatment and management by the government as a public utility.
The Wall Street Journal, in an editorial, argues that both the Federal Communications Commission and Congress, which is already crafting bills over such action, should slow down and make a thoughtful decision together.
Telecommunications attorney Robert M. McDowell, a former FCC commissioner, noted in a Journal column: "While Republicans and Democrats try to work out a deal, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler should hit the pause button on next month's vote and let the elected representatives of the American people try to find common ground. At the end of this constitutional process, all sides may be able to claim victory."
The FCC vote is set for Feb. 26. Republicans have labeled the FCC's proposals as an overreach while progressives have decried the costs related to regulation that get translated to consumers — and possibly limit creativity and innovation.
President Barack Obama has said he supports a free and open Internet and offered
his own plan for net neutrality in November, one the FCC seems to embrace.
House and Senate Republicans floated a new draft bill in Congress last week geared at stopping political infighting around the FCC's proposal,
The Washington Post reported.
"It grants the FCC authority to enforce tough new limits on how ISPs manage network traffic, directly addressing the kinds of practices both the agency and the White House have argued could, if implemented by ISPs in the future, threaten the continued success of the U.S. Internet," the Post noted of the specifics, which limit FCC authority.
The Post added: "The bill authorizes the FCC to enforce prohibitions against wired and mobile ISPs from blocking users' access to lawful content and devices. It would prohibit future 'paid prioritization' deals in which content providers pay to have their traffic delivered to consumers ahead of competitors and ban intentional degradation or slowing of traffic ('throttling'). And it would require detailed disclosure of network management practices."
Progressive groups are angry over Republican efforts in Congress and have urged them to "back off" in trying to limit FCC authority,
The Blaze reported.
"We are winning the policy fight over net neutrality, but it looks like certain members of Congress are trying to hijack the process by introducing legislation that would undercut us," noted activists DemandProgress.org in an email, The Blaze said.
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