WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-18) voted against the Democrats’ so-called “Save the Internet” Act, which would hand control of the internet over to a panel of five unelected bureaucrats, stunt future innovation, open the door to taxation of the internet, and significantly reduce and delay broadband expansion into rural communities. Rep. LaHood released the following statement after his vote today.
“As the Representative of 19 counties across central and west-central Illinois, I understand the importance of expanding rural broadband access into our communities and it’s critical we preserve a free and open internet,” stated Rep. LaHood. “It’s unfortunate that Democrats are advancing a bill that stifles innovation, increases expenses on rural areas through burdensome regulations, and slows network expansion into communities in the 18th District. Congress should be empowering internet users through the free market system, not putting unelected officials in Washington in charge of the internet. Communities, like we have in Illinois, deserve better than this government takeover of the internet.”
The Government Controlled Internet Act
- This plan negatively impacts rural communities, which already face higher costs and fewer options
- Rural communities are typically served by smaller Internet Service Providers, who have a harder time bearing the cost of expanded regulations
- These costs will be passed along to consumers, resulting in increased costs with worse service
- This legislation will give the Federal Communications Commission, a five-member panel of unelected officials, centralized control over the internet
- The panel will oversee setting prices, new investments, and dictate how broadband companies interact with their customers
- This proposal stifles innovation
- The FCC will be required to approve new technologies, allowing officials in Washington to block, delay, or discourage investment or innovation
- As we approach a 5G world, bureaucrats in Washington shouldn’t impede innovative progress that will keep the U.S. as a global leader in technology and expand access to broadband in rural communities
