The following statement is attributed to Gigi B. Sohn, president and
co-founder of Public Knowledge:
“We were disappointed to learn that Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison
(R-TX), the senior Republican on the Commerce Committee, has introduced
an
amendment to the Interior Appropriations bill to be taken up this
week by the Senate that would stop the Federal Communications Commission
from taking up Net Neutrality rules.
“We hope the full Senate will oppose this measure. FCC Chairman
Julius Genachowski, with the public backing of President Obama and House
Speaker Nancy Pelosi, outlined a moderate, reasonable platform for
ensuring that the Internet operates as the telecommunications network
operated for decades – under the principle that the companies which
provide the connections shouldn’t be able to play favorites with
the content.
“The FCC has pledged a full, public factual inquiry. The Senate
should let that process move ahead.
“We also note that Sen. Hutchison represents a state served by
AT&T, as do cosponsors Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS), David Vitter (R-LA)
and James DeMint (R-SC), who are on the Senate Commerce Committee. Also
cosponsoring the amendment are Sen. John Ensign (R-NV) and John Thune
(R-SD), Commerce Committee members from states serviced by Qwest.”
Members of the media may contact Communications Director Shiva Stella with inquiries, interview requests, or to join the Public Knowledge press list at shiva@publicknowledge.org or 405-249-9435.