Milwaukee City Wire

On Thursday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) joined U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), and 40 of their Republican Senate colleagues in urging Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel to abandon her proposal to reinstate the failed, heavy-handed Obama-era regulations of the internet.

In a letter addressed to Chairwoman Rosenworcel, the senators highlighted the flaws in the Democrats' argument regarding net neutrality. They emphasized that the fearmongering claims made by the Democrats, such as the notion that Americans would receive the internet "one word at a time," have been debunked and proven to be false.

The senators expressed concern that re-imposing these regulations would hinder the progress made since 2017 and result in less competition, fewer choices, decreased investment, slower speeds, and higher prices for consumers.

The letter was signed by a large group of Republican senators, including Sens. Johnson, Cruz, and Thune, as well as John Barrasso, M.D. (R-Wyo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kan.), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Rand Paul, M.D. (R-Ky.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho.), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and Todd Young (R-Ind.).

The full text of the letter can be found [here](insert hyperlink).

This united front of Republican senators is a clear indication of their strong opposition to the FCC's proposed internet regulations. They argue that these regulations would stifle innovation and hinder the growth of the internet industry. The senators are committed to protecting the progress that has been made in the internet sector since 2017 and ensuring that consumers continue to benefit from a competitive and affordable internet market.

The debate surrounding net neutrality has been ongoing for years, with proponents arguing for stricter regulations to ensure equal access to the internet, while opponents claim that such regulations would impede innovation and investment. The Republican senators firmly stand in opposition to the reinstatement of Obama-era regulations, citing their detrimental effects on competition and consumer choice.

As the battle over internet regulations continues, it remains to be seen how Chairwoman Rosenworcel and the FCC will respond to the concerns raised by Sen. Johnson and his colleagues. The outcome of this debate will have significant implications for the future of the internet and the extent to which it remains an open and competitive platform for all users.

For additional details, please follow this link: https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2023/10/sen-johnson-joins-colleagues-in-opposing-biden-fcc-s-internet-takeover