We, the undersigned, oppose the lack of Network Neutrality protections in the the COPE Act, sponsored by Rep. Joe Barton. We strongly urge passage of the Network Neutrality amendment sponsored by Rep. Ed Markey, along with Representatives Rick Boucher, Anna Eshoo, and Jay Inslee.
Whereas, the free and open nature of the Internet has fostered unprecedented innovation and economic growth;
Whereas, a fundamental part of the Internet’s nature is the fact that no one owns it and it is open to all comers;
Whereas, the Barton Bill would block the FCC from restoring meaningful protections for Internet consumers and entrepreneurs, and from prohibiting the imposition of bottleneck taxes and other discriminatory actions on the part of broadband network operators, such as AT&T and Verizon;
Whereas, the imposition of additional fees for Internet content providers would unduly burden web-based small businesses, start-ups, as well as communications for non-commercial users, religious speech, civic involvement, and exercising our First Amendment freedoms;
Whereas, the Markey amendment will effectively thwart attempts by broadband behemoths to block, impair, or degrade a consumer’s ability to access any lawful Internet content, application, or service; will protect my right to attach any device for use with a broadband connection,; will ensure that phone and cable companies cannot favor themselves or affiliated parties to the detriment of other broadband competitors, innovators, and independent entrepreneurs; and it will prohibit the broadband Internet providers from charging extra fees and warping the web in a multi-tiered network of bandwidth haves and have-nots.
Therefore, I join as a citizen co-sponsor of the Markey Amendment to save the Internet as we know it.
