Washington, D.C. – Congressman Jeff Duncan (SC-03) opposed the Democrats’ legislation to put Washington in charge of the internet:
“The Democrats are continuing their quest to have the government control anything and everything, including the internet. I am a strong believer in an open internet, free of excessive government regulation and control, which has been the driver of its innovation and success over the years. That’s exactly why I oppose the Democrats’ efforts to implement 1930-styled regulations on the internet. The internet is one of the best free-market success stories of our day, and if we want it to continue to flourish, we can’t accept stringent and outdated regulations that put Washington in charge.”
Background
- The internet has operated under a light touch regulatory system which has made it one of the best free-market success stories of our day.
- The Obama-era Federal Communications Commission (FCC) reclassified the internet in 2015 as a “telecommunications service” under laws originally passed by Congress in 1934.
- The FCC reversed the decision in 2017 returning to a light touch regulatory system.
- The Democrats’ legislation would allow the government to regulate the internet like a telecom service through a heavy handed regulatory framework.