June 16, 2010
Posted by Jenn Ettinger

This week, five leading senators sent letters to Sen. Daniel Inouye, Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations, urging him to support the Federal Communications Commission’s efforts to modernize its broadband policy framework, protect consumers and connect more Americans to broadband service.

The letters come as a response to an industry-driven threat in Congress to use the appropriations process to derail the agency’s efforts to reestablish broadband oversight, and prevent the FCC from using any of its funding to move forward with its proposal.

Senators John Kerry – who also chairs the Commerce Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet – Maria Cantwell, Ron Wyden and Tom Udall wrote on Tuesday that they “oppose any effort to use the appropriations process to block the Federal Communications Commission from using its existing legal authority to preserve an open Internet, protect consumers, and provide rural residents and Americans with disabilities with access to today’s broadband Internet services.” The senators further express support for the FCC’s proposal to restore broadband oversight and they recommend seeking public comment on the proposal as “a reasonable and responsible way to move forward.”

Wednesday, Sen. Byron Dorgan, a longtime advocate for the free and open Internet, joined the call. In his letter to Chairman Inouye, he wrote in support of the FCC’s proposed action, but expressed concern over the obstruction of the process through an appropriations rider.
He wrote:

The FCC must move forward to ensure solid legal footing for policies reform our universal service regime to support broadband, connect Native Americans on tribal lands and strengthen public safety communications. Congress should also examine our communications laws in the appropriate jurisdictional forum, the Commerce Committees in the House and Senate. An appropriations rider would undermine an open and transparent review of these issues.

It is clear that FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski and the Commission have the backing to move forward with the modernization of our broadband policy framework. Americans will not be able to realize the full potential of the Internet if our broadband policy stands on shaky legal footing, and these letters provide critical support for the FCC’s efforts to re-establish its oversight over broadband networks.

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