Statement of Administration Policy: H.R. 1644 - Save the Internet Act of 2019

(House Rules)
(Rep. Doyle, D-PA, and 197 cosponsors)

The Administration strongly opposes House passage of H.R. 1644. This legislation would nullify the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rule on "Restoring Internet Freedom," 83 Fed. Reg. 7852 (February 22, 2018). Last year, the FCC returned to the light-touch regulatory scheme that enabled the internet to develop and thrive for nearly two decades by promoting internet freedom and encouraging network investment. Since the new rule was adopted in 2018, consumers have benefited from a greater than 35 percent increase in average, fixed broadband download speeds, and the United States rose to sixth, from thirteenth, in the world for those speeds. In 2018, fiber was also made available to more new homes than in any previous year, and capital investment by the Nation's top six Internet service providers increased by $2.3 billion.

H.R. 1644 would undermine this success by repealing the FCC's current rule to: (1) restore the classification of broadband as an information service and end the public-utility-style regulation of the internet; and (2) promote transparency by requiring broadband providers to disclose their network management practices and commercial terms, including any blocking, throttling, paid prioritization, or affiliate prioritization. H.R. 1644 would instead return to the heavy-handed regulatory approach of the previous administration and undo the FCC's action that restored the Federal Trade Commission's authority to investigate and take enforcement action against unfair, deceptive, or anti-competitive acts or practices committed by broadband providers.

H.R. 1644 would also prevent the Commission from adopting rules similar to the current regulations, tying the hands of the Commission in the future and preventing the agency from evolving its rules to adapt to emerging technologies.

If H.R. 1644 were presented to the President, his advisors would recommend that he veto it.