Washington, D.C. – Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-09) submitted the following written statement for the record for the “Protecting Internet Freedom” item, WC Docket No. 17-108) that was considered at Thursdays Federal Communications Commission open meeting.
December 14, 2017
My name is Congressman Jerry McNerney and I represent California’s Ninth Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Thousands of my constituents have reached out to me to express their serious concerns about the proposal to eliminate net neutrality protections, which is being voted on today by the Federal Communications Commission. I want to make sure that their voices are heard.
Net neutrality protections are vital for ensuring that the internet serves as a forum for the free flow of information and a gateway for economic opportunity. My constituents rely on the internet in nearly every aspect of their daily lives––whether it is to apply for a job, obtain educational tools, communicate with friends and family, participate in social movements, or keep up with current news. The elimination of net neutrality protections means that my constituents may not be able to access certain information, that their access to certain information could be slowed down, or that they will simply be priced out of accessing certain information.
Strong net neutrality protections are also vital for the more than 31,000 small businesses in my district. For startups and small businesses, net neutrality lowers barriers to entry, creates a level playing field, and enables them to compete with larger companies. Abandoning these protections will make it much harder for a small business owner to get his or her small business off the ground and successfully compete in the marketplace. Greater challenges for small businesses mean less innovation, less job creation, and less economic growth––this is certainly not the future I want to see for my district or our country.
I am extremely disappointed that despite my constituents’ and the American public’s strong support for net neutrality, the Chairman has decided to proceed with this flawed and misguided order. Today’s order completely ignores the Commission’s core mission of protecting the public interest and sets us on a dangerous path backwards.
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Rep. Jerry McNerney proudly serves the constituents of California’s 9th Congressional District that includes portions of San Joaquin, Contra Costa, and Sacramento Counties. For more information on Rep. McNerney’s work, follow him on Facebook and on Twitter @RepMcNerney.
