WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and Sen. Sinema, D-Ariz., today issued the following statements after the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) 2017 rollback of net neutrality rules.

“Today’s ruling makes clear that Title II regulations are not required for maintaining an open internet. It is incumbent on Congress to pass federal net neutrality standards that will protect consumers, promote broader access to the internet, and ensure internet providers treat content from all sources fairly,” said Wicker. “We need straightforward guidelines that will not change based on who occupies the White House. I look forward to continuing to work toward these goals with Senator Sinema as we seek to find common ground on this important issue.”

"Net neutrality is critical to maintaining a vibrant internet. We need a modern, internet-specific framework that encourages the freedom and innovation that make the internet the vital tool it is today,” said Sinema. “Today's court decision makes clear Congress must pass a bipartisan, comprehensive net neutrality solution that offers certainty to consumers and providers."

In March, Chairman Wicker and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., announced a bipartisan working group focused on crafting a net neutrality proposal to encourage innovation, boost investment, and close the digital divide.

The Commerce Committee has jurisdiction over the FCC.