Today, Congressman Adriano Espaillat released the following statement on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) decision to repeal net neutrality protections.
“An open internet is an empowering, enabling platform, one that allows communities across the country to fulfill their economic and educational potential,” said Rep. Espaillat. “Without net neutrality, broadband internet providers would be able to charge more for access and create a tiered system in which wealthy and powerful corporations can pay to have their content delivered to consumers at a faster speed. Smaller websites with less money would be left with slower loading times and consumers would have less access to the internet. This favors the wealthy and powerful, and particularly harms communities of color who rely on an open internet as a level playing field.
“Net neutrality has a broad range of support from a coalition of small businesses, artists, church leaders, students, and many more from around the country, and the FCC received more than 4 million statements of support during its public comment period. Simply, the FCC’s net neutrality rule protects Americans’ freedom of speech by maintaining an open internet for all.
“I stand firm in my belief that the internet should remain open and available to all Americans, regardless of their class, status, or geographic location. I strongly oppose FCC Chairman Ajit Pai’s efforts to roll back net neutrality protections, and vow to continue my work to ensure first amendment rights for all.”
Engel Calls FCC Decision to Repeal Net Neutrality "Outrageous, Terribly Disappointing"
Congressman Eliot Engel, a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement on the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) net neutrality vote:
“I am terribly disappointed by today’s outrageous FCC vote to overturn net neutrality protections. This stunning example of regulatory overreach is bad for consumers and will have a chilling impact on American innovation. As such, Congress must now begin working on a legislative solution to reverse the FCC’s decision.
“Open Internet access is the foundation of freedom and innovation in the 21st century. Yet, the FCC’s dangerous assault on net neutrality gravely jeopardizes that freedom by punishing entrepreneurs and small businesses, throttling competition, and stifling the innovation that drives our economy. The FCC’s rule change could hit consumers with higher costs and less choice, and put control of their browsing experience into the hands of big providers.
“Millions of Americans across the country have raised their voices in the growing fight to protect net neutrality. Unfortunately, the Republican-controlled FCC has decided to ignore those voices.
“Now is not the time to be silent. We must continue to make our voices heard on the street, in the media, in the halls of Congress, and ultimately at the polls. I will continue working with my colleagues to overturn this misguided decision.”
STATEMENT FROM BRONX BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ
“Today's vote by the FCC to roll back Net Neutrality is a complete catastrophe. Technology, data and free access to both is ingrained into every facet of our lives, and this vote is the first step towards an impending system crash for New York City and in fact the entire nation. Congress needs to intervene to protect freedom and preserve equal access to the Internet.
“If the Republican-led Congress should refuse to act, New York State, including the Public Service Commission, should analyze what can be done now that the FCC has failed to protect a free and fair Internet. This should include the creation of a ‘State Uniform Telecommunication Code’ where states can together create a single standard for ISPs that protects the rights of consumers and the principles of Net Neutrality.
“It’s time to ask the question: ‘How can states protect Net Neutrality and a free Internet?,’” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
