On the recordJuly 6, 2016
I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, this amendment strikes what I believe is an unnecessary provision in the bill that would block the FCC's net neutrality rules until the court took final action to determine their legality. The provision my amendment strikes was written before the court announced its decision. On Tuesday, June 14, the Federal appeals court issued its long- awaited ruling in this case, and the decision could not be clearer. The court fully upheld the FCC's net neutrality rules, and that is why I am offering the amendment. It found that the FCC acted within its authority, acted consistent with Supreme Court precedent, consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act, and consistent with the Constitution. Every issue raised by opponents in court was rejected, whether it was procedural or substantive. Following this clear and decisive ruling, there is simply no reason for Congress to be blocking the FCC's rules. The courts have spoken, and legal scholars agree. I think the American people also spoke very clearly. Over 4 million offered their comments by filing them at the FCC during the rulemaking process, and the vast majority of them were in support of strong rules. This level of public input broke records at the FCC. The late Justice Antonin Scalia's dissent in the 2005 Brand X case reflects the same commonsense view the American people expressed in their public comments.…
