September, 17 2009, 02:08pm EDT
Rep. Waxman Co-sponsors Net Neutrality Bill
Energy and Commerce Chairman Announces Support for the Internet Freedom Preservation Act at FCC Oversight Hearing
WASHINGTON
Today, at an FCC oversight hearing held by the House Subcommittee on
Communications, Technology and the Internet, Rep. Henry Waxman
(D-Calif.) stated his support for Net Neutrality. Rep. Waxman, chairman
of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, announced that he will
be added as a cosponsor to the Internet Freedom Preservation Act (H.R.
3458.) The legislation would protect Net Neutrality under the
Communications Act, safeguarding the future of the open Internet and
protecting Internet users from discrimination online.
"Industry will benefit from clarity, consistency and predictability
with regard to net neutrality," said Rep. Waxman."I think that the time
is right to formally establish, through legislation if required, the
rules of the road with respect to net neutrality. Accordingly, I have
asked Mr. Markey to add me as a cosponsor to H.R. 3458, the Internet
Freedom Preservation Act."
Ben Scott, policy director of Free Press, made the following statement:
"We applaud Chairman Waxman for taking a stand for Net Neutrality.
Leaders in Congress are echoing President Obama's call to protect the
open Internet and the time has come to establish permanent rules that
promote competition and consumer choice. There is strong support in
Congress, the administration, and from the public to protect the open
Internet -- the time is now to take action and make Net Neutrality law
once and for all."
Read the Internet Freedom Preservation Act here: https://www.freepress.net/files/H.R.3458-7-31-09.pdf
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