Washington, D.C. – Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) President Tom Schatz today issued the following statement on the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Notice of Inquiry regarding net neutrality.

On behalf of the more than 1.2 million members and supporters of the Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW), I am pleased to learn that the FCC has taken action to get the real facts on net neutrality. 

Net neutrality, if enacted, would be an unprecedented gross regulatory grab by the federal government, unlike any seen in the technology sector since the dawn of the Internet.  In fact, the very reason the Internet has exploded as a global economic force is the lack of government intervention.  Taxpayers should not be forced to pay for an unnecessary and wasteful regulatory scheme.

Moreover, today’s broadband providers are poised to build a better Internet – one that will allow HD movies, video downloads, VoIP technology, and exciting new technologies such as telemedicine.  We need an Internet capable of handling this traffic while also supporting the business of everyday Americans.  Net neutrality would eliminate the incentive for providers to invest in new infrastructure.  If service providers are unable to charge higher rates to higher-volume content providers, the increased costs will be passed on to all consumers instead of the ones using the most bandwidth.  In short, net neutrality and Internet regulation will tie the hands of broadband providers, harming consumers and the economy.

I encourage the FCC to look at the facts and avoid regulating the Internet in any way. 

Citizens Against Government Waste is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating waste, fraud, mismanagement and abuse in government.