NE Washington News

Washington D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology Chair Bob Latta (R-OH) delivered opening remarks at today’s subcommittee hearing titled “The Fiscal Year 2025 Federal Communications Commission Agency Budget.”

“This is the third time we’ve had the FCC before us this Congress, and I am pleased that we are maintaining a cadence of consistent oversight hearings," Latta stated.

Latta began by offering condolences to FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel on the passing of her father. "We hope that your memories of him have helped you cope during this difficult time. Although we disagree on policy, we can come together to share each other’s grief,” he said.

Addressing what he termed as “Biden’s broadband takeover,” Latta criticized the FCC's recent actions under President Biden's administration. “Earlier this year, the FCC voted to reclassify broadband as a common carrier under Title II of the Communications Act," he noted. According to Latta, this move expands the FCC’s authority over broadband and imposes regulations that could hinder providers' ability to deploy services effectively.

Latta recalled past concerns about internet functionality following regulatory changes: “In 2017, after the FCC reversed the Obama FCC’s reclassification of broadband, the Democrats told the world that we would get the internet one-word-at-a-time and that the internet as we knew it would end." He added, "As we all know, none of those fears came true."

He argued that deregulation led to improved broadband networks: “Broadband networks thrived because of increased investment by private companies that has led to higher speeds and lower prices.” He also highlighted how these networks managed increased usage during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Latta contrasted U.S. regulatory approaches with those in Europe: “Contrast what happened in the United States to what happened in Europe, where regulators had to ask websites like YouTube and Netflix to throttle and degrade service to withstand increased demand.”

He disputed Chairwoman Rosenworcel's attribution of network success to state net neutrality policies: “The internet continued to function normally between the repeal and states enacting their laws... The true source of success for our networks was the light-touch regulatory framework that the FCC just moved away from.”

Latta concluded by urging a reversal of current regulatory directions: "I urge the FCC to reverse course and restore the light-touch regulatory environment that allowed broadband investment to thrive." He expressed his intent to question Commissioners about these issues during today's hearing.