Anna Eshoo: “Last week, FCC Chairman Pai circulated his plan to extinguish the most important technological achievement in modern…”

“Last week, FCC Chairman Pai circulated his plan to extinguish the most important technological achievement in modern history: the free and open internet. His plan guts the 2015 open internet rules and removes the FCC as the cop on the beat to protect consumers online. Without protections against blocking, throttling, or paid prioritization, there will be nothing to stop ISPs from slowing or blocking a website or charging consumers more to access certain content. It would allow ISPs to pick winners and losers by charging small businesses tolls to reach potential customers online, and they will be able to control the flow of information on the internet. Millions of Americans cheered for the 2015 rules to protect the open internet, rules that have been upheld by the courts. With those rules in place, ISPs have been less likely to mess with content. Meanwhile, investment in the online ecosystem continues to grow with innovative new apps and more buildout of broadband. I stand here in opposition to Chairman Pai's plan, and I urge my colleagues to do the same. The internet belongs to all of us, not just the big ISPs. ____________________”