John Ensign INTERNET REGULATION WILL SLOW THE PACE OF INNOVATION AND JEOPARDIZE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS

Washington, D.C. –Senator John Ensign, Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet today sent a letter signed by 28 of his colleagues to FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski expressing their strong opposition to the FCC’s intent to regulate the Internet. Senator Ensign has long-opposed this burdensome regulation which is a direct blow to innovation.

In the letter, the senators wrote, “The Internet, as an open platform for innovation, is not an aspiration, it is a reality—the United States does not need new burdensome regulations to make it so. This is an unjustified and unnecessary expansion of government control over private enterprise. We strongly urge you to abandon your decision to impose new restrictions on this important and dynamic segment of our economy.

“While the rules that you are proposing will have little, if any, positive impact for consumers, they will likely reduce the potential for innovation and investment in broadband networks. Your proposal would establish the Commission as the central arbiter of which new network practices are and are not reasonable, making the Commission the gatekeeper for any future broadband innovations. This will dramatically slow the pace of that innovation and jeopardize billions of dollars of future investment into broadband networks.”

Senators who signed the letter:

Ensign, Isakson, Brownback, Crapo, DeMint, Risch, McCain, Wicker, Hutchison, McConnell, Roberts, Kyl, Cornyn, Enzi, Bunning, Hatch, Johanns, Coburn, Chambliss, Barrasso, Alexander, Vitter, Thune, Bond, Graham, Bennett, Burr, Grassley, Inhofe ###

letter signed by 28 Senators. in PDF FORMAT

TEXT CREDIT: John Ensign, United States Senator of Nevada Press Secretary Jennifer Cooper 119 Russell Senate Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Tel: (202) 224-6244

John Thune Blasts Democrats' Massive Government Spending Bill

Says attempt to pass Omnibus ignores will of voters December 14th, 2010 - WASHINGTON, DC - Senator John Thune today criticized Senate Democrat leadership's attempt to pass a massive Omnibus spending bill.

"The attempt by Democrat leadership to rush through a nearly 2,000 page spending bill in the final days of the lame-duck session ignores the clear will expressed by the voters this past election," said Thune. "This bill is loaded up with pork projects and should not get a vote. Congress should listen to the American people and stop this reckless spending."

Thune has called for a short-term Continuing Resolution (CR) free of earmarks and special funding projects. Currently, the federal government is funded under a CR that expires on Saturday, December 18, 2010. ###

TEXT CREDIT: Senator John Thune United States Senate SR-493 Washington, DC 20510 Phone: (202) 224-2321 Fax: (202) 228-5429 TollFree: 1-866-850-3855

IMAGE CREDIT: rnc