Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush today pledged to "repeal or reform the most onerous Obama rules and regulations," and net neutrality would be one of the first things on his chopping block.
"The Federal Communications Commission’s Net Neutrality rule classifies all Internet Service Providers (ISPs) as 'public utilities,' subjecting them to antiquated 'common carrier' regulation," Bush's team wrote in a post titled "The Regulatory Crisis in Washington."
Bush wants to make sure that Internet service providers like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T are allowed to charge online content providers for access to their networks and Internet subscribers. "Rather than enhancing consumer welfare, these rules prohibit one group of companies (ISPs) from charging another group of companies (content companies) the full cost for using their services," Bush's proposal wrote.
Bush also pointed out that some small broadband providers "like KWISP (475 customers in rural Illinois) and Wisper ISP (8,000 customers near St. Louis, Missouri)—have declared under penalty of perjury that the Net Neutrality rule has caused them to cut back on investments to upgrade and expand their networks." The providers made those claims in a petition seeking to overturn the FCC's rules.
As president, Bush could use multiple strategies to reverse the FCC's decision to enforce net neutrality rules and classify broadband providers as common carriers. He could appoint a new chairperson who would wipe out the rules, which were passed by a 3-2 Democratic majority led by Chairman Tom Wheeler.
Bush could also push for legislation that would neuter or overturn the FCC's regulations. Republicans in Congress have floated numerous bills to overturn the regulations and gut the FCC's authority to regulate broadband providers, but Obama would likely veto any such proposals. The FCC's rules prohibit Internet service providers from blocking or throttling traffic or giving priority to Web services in exchange for payment.
Jeb Bush, whose brother and father previously served as US president, was governor of Florida from 1999 to 2007. Bush was in fifth place among Republicans in a CNN poll released this week, behind Donald Trump, Carly Fiorina, Ben Carson, and Marco Rubio. Net neutrality rules have previously been criticized by Trump, Fiorina, Carson, and Rubio.
The FCC's net neutrality rules are generally supported by Democrats, including Hillary Clinton, who leads polls for the party's presidential nomination.
Trade groups representing the biggest cable companies, telcos, and wireless carriers have sued the FCC to block the rules. This week, 27 Democratic and independent legislators filed an amicus brief supporting the FCC, while major tech companies and consumer advocacy groups supported the FCC, too.
During the presidency of Jeb Bush's brother, George W. Bush, the FCC classified Internet access as a lightly regulated "information service," exempting ISPs from common carrier regulations. Wheeler's FCC reversed that decision with the encouragement of Obama.
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