Cicilline Statement on Federal Communications Commission’s Effort to End Net Neutrality
PAWTUCKET – U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01), who serves as the top
Democrat on the House Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee, issued the following
statement today:
«When working families pay their internet bill, they expect to get what they pay
for: access to the entire lawful internet, not just portions of it.»
«President Obama understood this. He recognized the importance of preserving net
neutrality-the principle that consumers should get access to the entire lawful
internet at the speed they pay for-by prohibiting blocking, throttling, and paid
prioritization of consumers’ access to the internet.
«Under the Obama administration, the FCC imposed strong protections to prevent
internet service providers from slowing or blocking access to certain websites, or
requiring payment to speed up traffic to consumers. The Obama administration’s
commitment to net neutrality empowered consumers and kept internet service providers
from gouging their customers for high-speed internet access to their favorite
websites.»
«President Trump, however, is choosing to give even more power to large corporations
at the expense of consumers. The Trump FCC’s proposal to reverse President Obama’s
action is a disaster for working people.»
«If the Trump FCC, led by Chairman Ajit Pai, gets their way, it will allow internet
service providers to slow-down consumers’ access to certain sites and even block
them altogether. There will be no rules preventing internet service providers from
balkanizing the internet by charging different rates for consumers to access to
email, social media, news, movies, and any other services. It will mark the end of
open, unrestricted access to the internet, and a new era where only the wealthy and
well-off can enjoy full online access.»
«I plan to do whatever it takes to stop this proposal. And I encourage the American
people to join in this fight. Call 202-418-2000, or email
ajit.pai@fcc.gov
support this terrible decision.»