Goodlatte statement on the Senate’s Net Neutrality vote

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Senate voted on a measure that would use the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to roll back the Federal Communication Commission’s Restoring Internet Freedom Order. The measure passed by a vote of 52-47. Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) issued the following statement in response to the Senate vote:

“The Senate’s vote on the so-called net neutrality CRA represents a major setback for consumers and innovators. As we have witnessed over the last several years, the internet progresses most when it remains free from overregulation. I am disappointed that my colleagues in the Senate have advanced this measure that will hurt the internet economy in the long run. If we seek to maintain a stable internet marketplace, create jobs, and increase access to the internet for all Americans, it is time to return to the light-touch regulation that empowered the internet to grow to its current position of prominence. I have opposed the heavy-handed internet regulations from the previous Administration, and I will continue to oppose the rollback of the Restoring Internet Freedom Order in the future.”

Background: In 2017, Goodlatte outlined his concerns about over-regulating the internet and explained why the FTC is better equipped than the FCC to protect privacy and remedy antitrust issues. Goodlatte also praised FCC Chairman Pai’s Restoring Internet Freedom Order when it was first released in November 2017.

The House Judiciary Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law held hearings in 2015 and again in 2017 about the FCC’s net neutrality rule. Chairman Goodlatte and several other Judiciary Committee Members also wrote a letter opposing Title II regulations when they were first issued in 2015.