Barton might swallow network neutrality rules under Title I

Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) may have left a door open for swallowing network neutrality rules if the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) moves to enforce them under Title I of the Communications Act, rather than the more onerous Title II.

Rep Barton has said that if the FCC tries to regulate broadband service under the tight strictures of Title II, he will introduce legislation to halt the process. But a GOP aide on the House Commerce Committee would not confirm that Rep Barton would take equally extensive actions to prevent the FCC from enforcing network neutrality rules under Title I. It's unclear how strongly House Republicans would work to halt the FCC's network neutrality rule-making if it is pursued under Title I. Committee Republicans may have bigger fish to fry than Internet traffic as they work to dismantle the healthcare law, address unemployment and stave off carbon pricing. In the past, there has been some bipartisan agreement that network neutrality rules may be acceptable under Title I enforcement. Republican voices such as Sen. Olympia Snowe (Maine) and former FCC Chairman Kevin Martin have been open to the prospect. Martin tried to enforce net-neutrality policies under Title I. Still, a House GOP commerce aide said Rep Barton is still a firm believer there is no need for network neutrality rules.