Sen. Rubio Blasts Net Neutrality Rules

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., heaped scorn on the arguments of Senate Democrats that repealing the Federal Communications Commission’s “net neutrality” rules would threaten the Internet’s openness, The Hill reports.

The FCC rules, which require Internet service providers (ISPs) to treat all content providers the same, are set to begin Nov. 20. The Senate was debating a resolution to overturn the rules. Conservatives are worried that net neutrality rules could prevent ISPs from blocking objectionable content such as pornography.

Rubio offered a host of technology inventions that did just fine without net neutrality rules. That includes high-speed Internet service, tablet computers, and mobile devices, such as cellphones.

“Yet the proponents of Internet regulation claim that the freedom and growth of the Internet are in jeopardy,” Rubio said during the debate. Those contentions are “ridiculous,” he said. “To suggest that some type of regulation is needed flies in the face of the growth of the Internet economy.”

A vote was likely on the Senate resolution Thursday, but President Barack Obama already has threatened a veto if it passes. He included net neutrality in his campaign platform. And administration officials have said net neutrality is necessary to keep companies from taking over the Internet. The House passed a repeal resolution during the summer.

Rubio sees the FCC rules as part of a web of regulation that is overtaking the economy. “We are regulating where regulation is not needed,” he said. “We are regulating based on speculation, regulating in search of a problem.”