Press Releases

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree today voted against a resolution that would strip away the Federal Communication Communication's authority to regulate practices of Internet service providers.

"The fact that we're even considering this legislation when we should be voting on a budget agreement is truly disappointing," Pingree said. "As thousands of federal employees are worried about whether they will be able to come to work Monday, big Internet service producers don't have to worry now about having someone hold them accountable."

In December 2010, the FCC approved rules to regulate certain practices of service providers related to net neutrality. The resolution passed in the House today would null the new rules.

"To be clear, the rules didn't go far enough and left far too many loopholes. The FCC can and indeed should be doing more to preserve innovation and fair competition on the Internet," said Pingree. "This legislation, however, hands control from Internet users to Internet providers. It removes any restrictions to keep these big companies from discouraging or even blocking you from sites, services, and applications that don't serve their interests. It runs counter to the spirit that has made the Internet such a success in the first place."