On April 26, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai gave a
speech on The Future of Internet Freedom at the Newseum in Washington, D.C., during which he outlined his plans to roll back Open Internet protections at the Commission's May 18 Open Meeting. He also released two fact sheets:
Restoring Internet Freedom for All Americans and
Internet Regulations: Myths vs. Facts.
In response, INCOMPAS CEO Chip Pickering, said, "A free and open Internet benefits individual Americans, small businesses and start ups, conservative news outlets and faith-based services, streaming services and social media platforms. Any effort to weaken Open Internet protections must be rejected as it could toss the streaming and Internet economy back into chaos, taking consumers back to a time when ISPs, like Comcast throttled Netflix ,and consumers had to buffer their way through a binge."
"We believe the risks of FCC action far outweigh any reward. Thankfully, Chairman Pai will conduct a public comment period, and we are willing to work with all stakeholders to achieve and maintain objectives that protect a free and Open Internet," he added "But INCOMPAS will fight and oppose any effort to harm Americans' abilities to access the content of their choice and weaken the most successful economic and free expression policy in American history."
Responses to Pai's announcement came from both Republican and Democratic members. A joint House/Senate Commerce Committee
statement in support of Pai's actions came from Chairmen Walden, Thune, Blackburn and Wicker.
House Energy and Commerce Democrats held a
press conference, along with FCC Commissioner Mingon Clyburn, to express their opposition to Pai's plans. Commissioner Clyburn, along with Federal Trade Commission Commissioner Terrell McSweeny, also issued a
statement that noted, that "if adopted, Chairman Pai's proposal will harm competition and innovation and will leave consumers without any real protection or oversight by either the FTC or FCC for broadband services."