FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel Responds to Members of Congress Regarding FCC Safeguarding and Securing the Open Internet Proceeding

On October 17, 2023, Republican Members of the House Commerce Committee wrote to Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel expressing their disappointment and opposition to the FCC opening a proceeding to reclassify fixed and mobile broadband as a telecommunications service under Title II of the Communications Act of 1934. On October 31, Chairwoman Rosenworcel replied saying "Everyone, everywhere in this country needs access to broadband to have a fair shot at 21st century success... That is why the FCC acted on October 19, 2023, to initiate a proceeding to ensure a fast, open, and fair internet and to restore the agency’s authority over broadband service. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that we adopted proposes to reinstate enforceable, bring-line rules to prevent blocking, throttling, and paid prioritization. These rules would ensure that the internet remains open and a haven for creating without permission, building community beyond geography, and organizing without physical constraints. They are also rules that have been upheld in court. In other words, our legal system has already pronounced the rules we have proposed lawful and proper under the Communications Act."