39 senators tell FCC: ‘Abandon this radical and reckless plan’

Devin Coldewey
@techcrunch /

Image Credits: Richard Sharrocks

In a letter to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, 39 senators (all Democrats, though Republicans have also voiced concern) urge the agency to stop its plan to eliminate net neutrality rules. Where the objections have come in ones and twos before, this is the largest official complaint we’ve seen against the FCC’s proposal, which is due to be voted on tomorrow.

“Your proposed action will amount to the largest abdication of the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC’s) statutory responsibilities in history,” the senators write. “On behalf of our constituents — and future generations of Americans — we urge you to abandon this radical and reckless plan to turn the FCC’s back on consumers and the future of the free and open internet.”

“You are walking away from your statutory duties and effectively eliminating FCC oversight over high-speed internet access,” they write. And yet, at the same time, “Your proposal also makes sure that no other state or local government can fill this gaping consumer protection void… It is a stunning regulatory overreach.”

Update: In a much shorter letter following hot on the heels of the first, 117 members of Congress led by Pennsylvania Representative Mike Doyle also urge the FCC to put off the vote.

Update 2: Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME), Senators who had previously only hinted at opposition to the FCC’s plan, sent the agency a letter on the morning of the vote asking it to be delayed:

We are writing to urge you to cancel today’s vote on the Restoring Internet Freedom Order… The proposal removes basic oversight over broadband practices that would impede the internet’s ability to serve our democracy, empower consumers, and fuel economic growth.

Given that this change will affect every sector of the U.S. economy, we are also concerned about the speed of the process, the lack of public hearings, and the underlying rationale for repealing net neutrality without and adequate replacement.

Now, let us not forget that the FCC as an agency operates under the supervision of Congress. Its duties and powers are literally defined by Congress. So when Congress says they are abdicating their statutory duties, they know whereof they speak.

I’ve asked the FCC for comment.

You can read the full letter here. The signing senators are also listed below:

Is your senator not on this list? Feel free to ask them why.

Latest Stories

Google lays off workers, Tesla cans its Supercharger team and UnitedHealthcare reveals security lapses

Kyle Wiggers
1:15 pm PDT • May 4, 2024

Human composting and timber marketplaces: talking “industrial” VC with investor Dayna Grayson

Connie Loizos
12:23 pm PDT • May 4, 2024

Women in AI: Tara Chklovski is teaching the next generation of AI innovators

Dominic-Madori Davis
10:00 am PDT • May 4, 2024

Farewell, dunks? Threads launches quote controls for all users

Anthony Ha
9:16 am PDT • May 4, 2024

Deal Dive: Amae Health is building an in-person approach to mental healthcare in an increasingly digital space

Rebecca Szkutak
9:00 am PDT • May 4, 2024

Why RAG won’t solve generative AI’s hallucination problem

Kyle Wiggers
7:00 am PDT • May 4, 2024