Pallone on FCC Chairman Pai’s Net Neutrality Announcement

WASHINGTON, DC — Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) issued the following statement today following a news conference on Capitol Hill in response to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai's efforts to undercut net neutrality protections. Pallone was joined at the news conference by FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, Communications and Technology Subcommittee Ranking Member Mike Doyle (D-PA), and Democratic Committee Members Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Doris Matsui (D-CA), Peter Welch (D-VT) and Yvette Clarke (D-NY).

"President Trump's FCC just announced its plan to ignore the will of the American people and kill net neutrality. Congressional Republicans asked the FCC to take the lead in stripping away our online protections, and today, FCC Chairman Pai complied – taking the first steps towards killing net neutrality.

"Net neutrality is the essential foundation of free speech and opportunity online. In today's political and economic environment, the free and open internet is more important than ever. It's how people organize across the country and across political lines. It's how people find new jobs and new opportunities, and how small businesses compete. But under Chairman Pai's plan, nothing stops political powers from pushing broadband companies to choke off dissenting views or big companies from gaining unfair advantages over small businesses online.

"Chairman Pai uses a lot of flowery language about abstract net neutrality principles, but the truth is, his position has been remarkably consistent. Two years ago, he said net neutrality was a solution in search of a problem. Two months ago, he said net neutrality's days are numbered. And two hours ago, he announced his plan to kill it.

"His plan is clear, sabotage net neutrality by kicking the legal legs out from under it, but we cannot let this happen. We will fight with the American people to keep these important protections in place in order to protect a free and open internet."