Merkley: FCC vote ‘outrageous attack on free, open internet’

Senator Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., released the following statement after the Federal Communications Commission, under the leadership of Chairman Ajit Pai, passed sweeping new rules Thursday that he said would allow internet providers to establish fast and slow lanes, block content and charge consumers and businesses more for reliable access to sites:

“This is an outrageous attack on our free and open internet, one that puts ‘We the Powerful’ over ‘We the People.’ Over the last several weeks, thousands of Oregonians have called my office in opposition to this destructive plan. With today’s vote, the FCC has ignored their voices, and the voices of millions of other Americans who rose up to protect net neutrality, in favor of a small group of special interests.

“If you’ve ever wished that your internet provider could make your connection much slower or much more expensive, then this plan is for you. But if you’d rather not be gouged by big corporations, and if you believe the internet should continue to be a powerful tool for democracy and entrepreneurship in America, then you should be outraged. This plan is totally unacceptable, and I’m going to do everything I can in Congress to overturn it.”