Waxman fails to get GOP support for net-neutrality legislation

Democratic efforts to give the Federal Communications Commission interim authority over net-neutrality issues failed to move forward in the last days of Congress. Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) said his bill failed to get enough support to get out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
Waxman’s bill would have restored the FCC’s authority to prevent blocking of legal Internet content, applications and services; prevent broadband providers from discriminating against lawful Internet traffic, prevent wireless providers from blocking services and direct the FCC to issue transparency regulations. However, Waxman failed to get support from Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas), who said there wasn’t sufficient time to address the matter and ensure the proposal would keep the Internet open without impacting innovation and job creation.
“It is not appropriate to give the FCC authority to regulate the Internet,” Barton said. “If the Congress wants to prevent the FCC reclassifying Internet service under Title II, it should go ahead and do so without qualification.”
Waxman said he may revisit the issue after midterm elections. “I do not close the door on moving legislation this Congress. Cooler heads may prevail after the elections. But I want my position to be clear: my goal is the best outcome for consumers. If our efforts to find bipartisan consensus fail, the FCC should move forward under Title II. The bottom line is that we must protect the open Internet. If Congress can’t act, the FCC must.”
For its part, the FCC is seeking comments on how wireless providers should address transparency, devices and applications. Earlier this month, the agency issued a notice of proposed rulemaking on “how, to what extent, and when”openness principles should apply to mobile wireless platforms.