Net neutrality repeal will go the distance in the courts

I have to hand it to the Republicans so far during this 112th Congress. When they say they are going to repeal something, they mean it. Yesterday, the House Sub-committee on Communications and Technology voted to repeal the Federal Communications Commission’s net neutrality rule.

I wasn’t surprised given the majority that the Republicans have in the House. I would be really surprised if the Senate were to follow suit, but unfortunately that is not going to happen. For some reason, net neutrality, which has the backing of President Obama, has become the holy grail of the far and unreasonable left. Democrats in the Senate are not about to let their base get away that easily by disappointing them with some compromise on net neutrality. Besides, the Senate Democrats will have Mr. Obama provide the cover they need in the form of a threatened veto.

No, this one will get settled in the courts. MetroPCS and Verizon’s challenge to the net neutrality rules in the courts of appeal may lead to a showdown in the U.S. Supreme Court. Unfortunately, all this does is keep the level of uncertainty high for broadband access providers and their investors. The Roberts court is not a the source for corporate-siding slam dunk decisions as its recent ruling on personal privacy for corporations ruling has shown.

John Thune: Internet rule repeal co-sponsor drops out of presidential contention

Posted February 22nd, 2011 in FCC, Government Regulation, Internet, net neutrality and tagged , , by Alton Drew

Senator John Thune, Republican of South Dakota, will not run for the presidency in 2012. More importantly, Mr. Thune is one of 38 co-sponsors of a bill to repeal the Federal Communications Commission’s net neutrality rule.

“The FCC’s intrusion in the broadband industry will discourage investment and innovation in rural states like South Dakota, ultimately stifling job creation and economic growth“, said Mr. Thune. Mr. Thune added that, “Our resolution of disapproval would stop the FCC’s overreaching and unwarranted control of the Internet.”