My fantastic congresswoman Lois Capps (CA-23) responded in about three days to my email regarding the Markey amendment. Forgive me for just introducing and block quoting, but this is the kind of response we live for. I'm lucky, but those of you in other not-so-lucky districts, please keep the communications flowing.
I told her what that I supported her, that this issue was important to me, that I had a twenty-five year history of working in the network industry in some capacity, and that I wanted her to support this amendment and all efforts to keep the Net free.
This is an election year and every communication counts. Thanks.
Her letter:
Thank you for contacting me to express your support for network neutrality. As your Representative, I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue.
You will be pleased to learn that we are in complete agreement. As you know, the internet's explosive growth over the last decade has been based on network neutrality-the principle that network service providers should neither block nor interfere with lawful internet traffic and must not prioritize or discriminate against legal content available online. Recently, however, some network providers, such as cable and phone companies, have expressed interest in creating a multi-tiered internet that would prioritize certain classes of content over others.
The Energy and Commerce Committee, on which I serve, recently considered the Communications Opportunity, Promotion, and Enhancement Act of 2006, which would update the nation's telecommunications laws. I voted for an amendment, sponsored by Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA), that would require that high-speed internet service providers operate their network in a non-discriminatory fashion. Unfortunately, this amendment was defeated on a 22-34 vote. Partly because of the lack of network neutrality provisions, I voted against the bill on final passage, but it passed 42-12.
I am committed to an internet that remains open and equally accessible to all. Network providers should not create shortcuts in the internet for preferred content, which would undermine the internet's democratic nature. Please be assured that I will continue to fight to enshrine network neutrality in law, and I sincerely hope that the legislation can be improved when the House considers it shortly.
Again, thank you for contacting me. Please keep in touch.
Sincerely,
LOIS CAPPS
Member of Congress
