×

Stefanik silent on FCC net neutrality vote

U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik (Photo provided — Amanda Morrison, Watertown Daily Times)

North Country Congresswoman Elise Stefanik has voiced her support of net neutrality, the practice of keeping internet access and use free and open, but has not spoken out against the Federal Communications Commission vote today on a plan to repeal net neutrality protections initially implemented in 2015.

The net neutrality protections threatened by the vote prohibit internet service providers like Spectrum and Verizon from changing the speed or blocking specific websites, applications and other forms of internet content, essentially creating internet “fast lanes,” allowing higher speeds for those who pay a higher price.

“Congresswoman Stefanik believes an open internet is critical to promoting prosperity and innovation with the power to enhance our lives, communities, and markets,” Stefanik’s Communications Director Tom Flanagin wrote in an email.

An email asking why she has not opposed the vote was not answered by press time, but in a June 30 letter to Reddit user Realtrain, she said the 2015 rules go, “beyond the concept of net neutrality.”

The same email asked how she believes the rules exceed their bounds and though the Enterprise never received a response, Stefanik revealed in the June 30 letter that she believes they hinder economic and technological progress.

“The reclassification of broadband as a telecommunications service creates uncertainty in how new internet products will be regulated, which discourages investment and innovation, and ultimately puts government regulators in charge at the expense of American consumers,” Stefanik wrote.

She believes it is Congress’ job to codify the principles of net neutrality in law to keep the internet open while making it easier for companies to invest in broadband infrastructure, infrastructure she has said the North Country needs. However, she has not clarified what she believes those principals are that should be put into law.

North Country residents have limited options for internet service providers and would be impacted more than metropolitan areas if ISPs begin slowing speeds of competitors or raising their personal bandwith. The plan would also eliminate a rule preventing ISPs from prioritizing their own content, or the content of third-party partners, over competitors.

The proposal from President Donald Trump’s FCC chairman Ajit Pai, a former lawyer for Verizon, was introduced with the purpose of ending “micromanagement” of the internet by the U.S.

“Under my proposal, the federal government will stop micromanaging the Internet,” Pai said in a statement in November. “Instead, the FCC would simply require Internet service providers to be transparent about their practices.”

Several candidates running for the 21st Congressional District House seat in 2018 weighted in on net neutrality, all calling for Stefanik to oppose the vote. Opponents of the vote have also pointed out that Stefanik has received over $55,000 in campaign donations from telecommunications PACs including Comcast, Verizon and AT&T.

“Information is power, and information that has flowed through the internet has helped spur democratic movements around the world,” Democrat Emily Martz’s Field Director Joe Baxter wrote in an email. “Ending net neutrality further concentrates power into the hands of the wealthy corporations, impedes the democratic flow of information and limits access to economic opportunities.”

“Without net neutrality, our rural small businesses won’t have a fighting chance for broadband expansion or to compete in the global market. I call on Rep. Stefanik to publicly condemn the FCC’s attack on Net Neutrality and internet freedom,” Democrat Katie Wilson wrote in a Facebook message. “Net neutrality regs are all that stand in the way of ISPs charging customers more just to access different websites or blocking some sites altogether. We cannot allow the FCC to make the internet a profiteering free-for-all.”

“Congresswoman Stefanik should oppose the Trump plan as it is just another massive corporate giveaway and it will make it harder for small businesses in the North Country to do business online,” Democrat Don Boyajian wrote in an email.

“We are in a precarious position to preserve our freedom of speech and expression online; and I believe that Stefanik, and all of the other members of Congress, need to stand up for Net Neutrality and oppose the FCC vote tomorrow,” Democratic Congressional candidate Tanya Boone wrote in an email. “We can’t let big service providers pick and choose which websites and internet services will get delivered to us.”

Paul Paterakis, a spokesperson for Democrat Patrick Nelson, said he will hold a rally in front of Congresswoman Stefanik’s office Friday to protest the decision of net neutrality, depending on the result of the FCC’s vote later today.

“As with every vote the Congresswoman makes, all that needs to be done is simply follow the money,” Congressional candidate Russ Finley wrote in an email. “From the AIRR Act, to Net Nuetrality our current Member of Congress in less than 4 years has mastered the art of voting for her wallet and against ours! The over $56,000.00 she profited from this vote alone is clear and unmistakable evidence of pay for play. This is the culture of corruption in DC which is rampant in both parties!”

“Already about half of American households have no choice in Internet Service Provider and many rural communities, such as those across NY-21, lack any access to true broadband,” Tedra Cobb’s campaign director Anna Sorensen wrote on her behalf, “Expanding access to the Internet is key to economic development and improving education in rural communities like ours. The FCC Commissioners’ plan to give ISPs the legal authority to choke and censor Internet content would have the opposite effect.”

Stefanik released a statement on the repeal Thursday after press time.

“Today’s vote means that it is now Congress’ responsibility to pass legislation that codifies in law the principles of net neutrality to preserve an open internet and ensure that companies can invest in a robust broadband infrastructure,” Stefanik said in the press release. “Families in our district have very few choices in internet service providers, which is why it is critical for Congress to now pass legislation to protect the North Country’s access to online information.”

She asked Congress to begin holding hearings with ISPs and web companies to begin drafting legislation.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.75/week.

Subscribe Today