FCC’s Net Neutrality Plan Hits Roadblock

WASHINGTON — House Republicans voted this week to suspend funding for the Federal Communications Commission’s net neutrality plan.

By a vote of 244 to 181, the House approved an amendment to a spending bill that would stop funding for the plan, which was approved in December.

The Internet "does not need to be regulated by an unelected group of federal bureaucrats," Rep. Cliff Stearns, a Florida Republican, said in a statement. "Net regulation will discourage investment and innovation precisely when we need it most, especially in light of our push to increase broadband deployment. The FCC should not stand in the way of Internet innovation and expansion."

Stearns said that any Internet regulations should be approved by Congress “only after holding deliberative hearings and with a vote by elected officials."

A joint resolution of disapproval, part of the Congressional Review Act, would need to pass with a majority in both chambers, then survive a veto from President Obama.

In December, the FCC approved net neutrality rules along party lines. The order provides three high-level rules: transparency; no blocking; and no unreasonable discrimination.

Republicans swiftly vowed to take the rules down. Democrats, however, said the rules did not go far enough.

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