Rep. Waxman Co-sponsors Net Neutrality Bill

Energy and Commerce Chairman announces support for the Internet Freedom Preservation Act and Net Neutrality at FCC Oversight Hearing

WASHINGTON -- Today, at an FCC oversight hearing held by the House Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet, U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) stated his support for Net Neutrality. Rep. Waxman, chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, announced that he will be added as a cosponsor to the Internet Freedom Preservation Act (H.R. 3458.) The legislation would protect Network Neutrality under the Communications Act, safeguarding the future of the open Internet and protecting Internet users from discrimination online.

"Industry will benefit from clarity, consistency and predictability with regard to net neutrality," said Rep. Waxman."I think that the time is right to formally establish, through legislation if required, the rules of the road with respect to net neutrality. Accordingly, I have asked Mr. Markey to add me as a cosponsor to H.R. 3458, the Internet Freedom Preservation Act."

Ben Scott, policy director of Free Press, made the following statement:

"We applaud Chairman Waxman for taking a stand for Net Neutrality. Leaders in Congress are echoing President Obama's call to protect the open Internet and the time has come to establish permanent rules that promote competition and consumer choice. There is strong support in Congress, the Administration, and from the public to protect the open Internet -- the time is now to take action and make Net Neutrality law once and for all." Read the Internet Freedom Preservation Act here: http://www.freepress.net/files/H.R.3458-7-31-09.pdf

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