WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Ranking Member on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today asked Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski to stand down on implementing net neutrality regulations, as it appears the agency plans to take action on the issue in December before the start of the next session of Congress.

“It is reported that the FCC is contemplating action that would impose net neutrality rules onto communications companies that will threaten the Internet’s spirit of innovation and its future economic growth,” said Senator Hutchison.  “The Internet as an open platform for innovation is not an aspiration, it is a reality.  I have not seen any evidence to date that would justify this regulatory overreach.  In fact, the Internet has developed and thrived precisely because it has not been weighed down with burdensome government regulations. This has allowed the web to evolve to meet swift changes without having to worry about new government roadblocks holding up progress.”

“I am especially troubled that this action would occur without Congressional input and before the new members of Congress have been sworn in.  The American people clearly repudiated this type of government expansion on November 2nd.  FCC Chairman Genachowski needs to stand down from his plans to impose onerous net neutrality restrictions.  If he decides to move forward, I will explore all options available to keep the FCC from implementing regulations that will threaten the innovation and job creation opportunities associated with the Internet.”

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