Sens. Kerry, Dorgan, and Wyden Support Chairman Genachowski's "Principled Center" Actions

Three senior Democratic Senators, John Kerry, Byron Dorgan and Ron Wyden wrote a letter to FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, encouraging him to act quickly to ensure that the Internet will remain an open network:

Dear Chairman Genachowski:

We are writing to urge you to bring the Open Internet rulemaking to conclusion in December. Heading into 2011, the Commission can provide the certainty necessary for policymakers, consumers, investors, and innovators that the Internet will remain an open network, under the watchful eye of the Federal Communications Commission, and that the service will be delivered and managed with full and complete transparency. Combined, that will make it possible for the agency, advocates, engineers, and the media to police practices that could threaten innovation at the edge of the network.

We recognize that you have led a difficult, inclusive, and often technical debate as matter of both law and engineering on the question of the proper role of the agency and rules in this space. We have supported that process and support the President's goal of protecting and preserving an open Internet. We are also well aware that it is always easier to criticize the policy-making process than it is to make good policy — and as a result you have taken incoming fire from all sides. Yet, while time consuming, we think the deliberation and discourse has moved the center of opinion within the community of experts, industry, and advocates to a principled compromise that is sustainable and will work. We understand that there are some who would have you go further and some that would have you do nothing. But we believe you are headed toward a principled center and we support that effort.

We look forward to working with you.

Sincerely,

John Kerry, United States Senator

Byron Dorgan, United States Senator

Ron Wyden, United States Senator