Baker: Net Neutrality Move Would Be 'Reckless and Inappropriate'

FCC Republicans solidly against Genachowski's proposal

By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 12/1/2010 6:52:00 PM

FCC Republicans are solidly against the network neutrality proposal.

Commissioner Meredith Attwell Baker said the FCC should not take any action before the new Congress convenes (in January) and even then only after it gets the go-ahead from that Congress.

"This is a mistake," she said in a statement. "We do not have authority to act. The new majority of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce has asked the Commission not to circulate this Order, and a clear majority of all Members of Congress has expressed concern with our Internet policies. Whether the Internet should be regulated is a decision best left to the directly elected representatives of the American people."

Throwing a couple of rhetorical punches at the chairman's proposal, she said it would be "reckless and inappropriate for the Commission to act upon the Chairman's controversial and partisan proposal."

Senior Republican Robert McDowell has said he "strongly opposes" what he called an "ill-advised maneuver."