House Forwards Attack on FCC Net Neutrality, Saves RUS Broadband Loans

摘要

A House panel approved a fiscal-year 2012 appropriations bill banning the FCC from using ngovernment funds to carry out the agency’s December net neutrality order, and trimming the ncommission’s budget to $319 million, down $17 million. Earlier Thursday, the House saved the nRural Utilities Service broadband loans program from the chopping block by voting for a nsurprise amendment to the FY 2012 agriculture appropriations bill by Reps. Chris Gibson, nR-N.Y., and Bill Owens, D-N.Y. The appropriations bill governing the FCC was cleared by nvoice vote in a markup by the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and nGeneral Government. Chairwoman Jo Ann Emerson, R-Mo., said the FCC order imposed n"burdensome regulations on the Internet." In addition to the net neutrality ban and FCC nbudget reduction, the appropriations bill also removes rules in the FCC’s Code of Federal nRegulations related to the fairness doctrine. FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski has nsupported deleting those provisions.