FCC: Process and Transparency

WASHINGTON – The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee will hold a hearing titled “FCC: Process and Transparency” on Tuesday, March 17, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. This hearing will examine transparency and independence issues with respect to the FCC’s process for developing the new net neutrality rules.

BACKGROUND:

• In late 2010, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a set of regulations that control how traffic is carried over the internet. However, in early 2014, portions of the regulation were invalidated by a federal court. Subsequently, the FCC, led by Chairman Tom Wheeler, began work on an alternative regulatory proposal.
• In November 2014, while the new proposal was being developed, President Obama publicly called on the Commission to adopt strict rules to protect net neutrality. Three months later, Chairman Wheeler submitted a plan to his colleagues on the Commission that is substantially similar to the plan the President advocated. The plan subjects the internet to Title II (the common carrier provisions) of the Communications Act of 1934.