Press Releases
Sen. Lee Introduces The Restoring Internet Freedom Act
Feb 25, 2016
WASHINGTON - Today, Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the Restoring Internet Freedom Act, which would repeal the Federal Communication Commission's net neutrality rules and prevent the agency from promulgating similar rules in the future.
“The economic burden of these regulations will fall squarely on the backs of the consumers the FCC purports to help,” Lee said.
“The threat of anticompetitive behavior should always be taken seriously. But it makes no sense for a five-person panel of presidential appointees to write a sweeping law aimed at solving a problem that might someday exist. There are more effective, more democratic, and less intrusive ways to address anticompetitive behavior, including existing antitrust and consumer-protection laws,” Lee continued.
The legislation is co-sponsored by Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Rand Paul (R-TN), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Ben Sasse (R-NE), and Tom Tillis (R-NC).
Read full text of the bill here:
Lee, Klobuchar Announce Hearing on Oversight of Antitrust Laws
Feb 18, 2016
Federal Trade Commission Chairwoman Edith Ramirez and Justice Department Antitrust Division Assistant Attorney General William Baer will both testify at this customary oversight hearing.
Lee, Klobuchar Call For Review of Proposed Charter, Time Warner, Bright House Merger
Feb 18, 2016
“We are on the threshold of a dramatic transformation of the way consumers obtain video content that should increase competition and benefit American consumers,” the letter states.
“American consumers will benefit if we cross this threshold to increased competition, and we believe that your agencies play a role in making sure that transformation occurs. As Chairman and Ranking Member of the Antitrust Subcommittee, we have carefully examined consolidation in these industries to ensure that existing market leaders to not block or co-opt new options for receiving video content or exercise disproportionate control over the video content market.”
The Senators note concern that the merged companies and comcast would control 70 to 90 percent of the broadband internet connections to American homes, which could hinder the ability of online video distributors to offer a viable alternative to cable services. Regional cable companies could also find it difficult to compete. Additionally, they cite that maintaining a robust marketplace of ideas, news, and entertainment relies in part on the viability of independent programmers, who could end up being discriminated against if the merged companies are able to pay less for content.”
The full letter is available here.
Lee Applauds Gov. Herbert’s Sage Grouse Law Suit
Feb 4, 2016
“I commend Gov. Herbert’s decision to fight the Obama administration’s efforts to control federal land in Utah from Washington, DC,” Lee said. “Western states have a well-established and exemplarily record of implementing their own sage grouse conservation plans and there is zero need for other federal agencies to get involved.”
