Key Dem: No middle ground on net neutrality

When it comes to net neutrality, you’re either with Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) or you’re against her.

“No one ponders over these things,” she said, referring to executives at major companies in her Silicon Valley district who have come out in favor of strong net neutrality rules.

{mosads}“You either are for net neutrality as far as consumers across the country, and if you’re not then you’re for the bad stuff.”

Eshoo, who is the top Democrat on the House subcommittee on Communications and Technology, said that it was a shame that partisan hay had been made out of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) regulations to prevent Internet service providers from unfairly interfering with people’s access to the Internet.

“I think members should look and listen to their constituents, because there isn’t anyone in my district that has raised their hand and said ‘Oh you know what? Discriminate against me. Come on down,’” she said on Tuesday, during a policy conference held by Comptel, a communications industry association that has supported strong rules. “It’s not a place for companies to be either.”

Eshoo has been a supporter of the FCC’s new rules, which will reclassify broadband Internet so that it can be regulated similar to phone lines. The FCC will vote on those regulations on Thursday morning. 

“We’re all kind of standing on tiptoes” waiting for those “historic” rules, she added on Tuesday. “I think it’s an epic battle, but boy it’s a worthy one.”