Is Freedom of Speech at Risk?

Has Representative Rob Wittman been a leader for us on the issue of Net Neutrality? Is he just following? Has he placed our interests ahead of corporate interests? 

On December 14h, 2017 the Federal Communications Commission voted to eliminate Net Neutrality. During that same week Rob Wittman voted not to force a House floor debate the issue.

Then on Wednesday, May 16th, 2018, the US Senate approved a resolution to nullify the Federal Communications Commission's Net Neutrality rollback. So it is up to the House to act. Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Colo.) in July announced a Congressional Review Act (CRA) bill to bring Net Neutrality up for a floor vote. He also revealed his own bill to codify the principles of net neutrality into law. Our Representative Rob Wittman has not signed on to support these bills.

Here is why this is important for Rob Wittmen to do this.

Net neutrality means that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) must enable access to all content and applications regardless of the source, without favoring or blocking particular legal products or websites.

An open internet helps people everywhere, from doctors in developing communities who need vital medical information to treat patients, to small startups looking to build global businesses, to established Fortune 500 companies providing services to millions of customers.

The FCC elimination vote takes away Net Neutrality giving ISP’s the ability to cause certain sites to load slower and run slower unless they pay more. Worse yet, ISPs could block content altogether.

Without a level playing field, certain people will have access to the world of knowledge and opportunity while others won’t. This isn’t fair, and we can’t stand idly by while something so important is at stake. Open access to knowledge and information is a fundamental right. It is the Freedom of Speech; the freedom to legally learn and listen as we wish.

I am not sure how the FCC Rule eliminating Net Neutrality could be Constitutional. But, I am sure on one thing. Congressman Wittman should be on the side of his constituents. Preserve Net Neutrality. Do not let corporate interests restrict our choice of access to legal information.

Should Congressman Wittman be active in support of Net Neutrality? He has voted against allowing floor debate. If he does nothing more or votes against Net Neutrality does he represent your best interests?