HYDE-SMITH VOTES TO BLOCK HEAVY-HANDED REGULATION OF THE INTERNET

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today released the following statement regarding her vote against a successful Democrat effort to restore Obama-era regulations on the internet:

 

“The internet, like most successful American innovations, have not thrived because of heavy-handed government regulation.  I support greater access to the internet, but going back to Obama-era regulations is not the answer.  We would be better off if Democrats would work on a bipartisan basis to find a solution to ensuring safe, reliable internet service across the country, particularly in rural states like Mississippi.”

 

Hyde-Smith voted against a Democratic-sponsored resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to force the FCC to return to an Obama Administration net neutrality rules.  The FCC, under the leadership of President Trump nominees, overturned the Obama era regulation and created an opportunity for Congress to write on bipartisan legislation to internet oversight.

 

The CRA was approved on a 52-47 vote.  The House of Representatives would have to approve the CRA before it would go into effect.