John Rice Carter: “I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I rise to express my support for H.R. 2666. In 2015, the FCC…”

“I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I rise to express my support for H.R. 2666. In 2015, the FCC reclassified Internet service providers as title II common carriers, giving themselves the ability to regulate Internet rates and user privacy. The administration has promised that this new agency power will not be used to regulate broadband rates; however, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler has admitted that the FCC should have the authority to do so. This regulatory uncertainty is why this bill is needed. H.R. 2666 would prohibit the FCC from regulating rates charged for broadband Internet access and would hold the administration to the promise it made to American consumers. Preventing government interference with broadband retail rates would give smaller providers greater confidence when making investments, particularly those that would increase Internet access in rural and small communities. I urge my colleagues to help prevent the government micromanagement of Internet access by supporting H.R. 2666.”