WASHINGTON - September 22 - Statement from Amina Fazlullah, Media and Telecommunications Counsel for U.S. Public Interest Research Group, on Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison's (R-TX) amendment to block the Obama administration's attempt to impose formal net neutrality rules:

"Despite the commitments made by the FCC and the President, Republican members of the Senate have introduced a measure that would prevent FCC action on Network Neutrality and leave consumers on the Internet vulnerable to unfair and discriminatory practices.

"U.S. PIRG was disappointed to see that Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) and other Commerce Committee Republicans have chosen to introduce an amendment that would punish the FCC for exploring the important issue of a fair and open Internet.  The amendment attached to the Interior Appropriations bill will be taken up in Congress this week."