Lawmakers on Capitol Hill continued to view skeptically...

Lawmakers on Capitol Hill continued to view skeptically the FCC’s approval Thursday of a net neutrality NPRM that opens up questions of paid prioritization agreements. “As the Commission decides its next step, we urge them to consider establishing consumer protections while avoiding the pitfalls that would come with a Title II, utility-like classification of broadband — including, stifling innovation and choking off investment,” Rep. Gene Green, D-Texas, said in a statement, mentioning a desire to address bigger related questions through the “anticipated rewrite of the Communications Act” that House Commerce is considering. Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., called the FCC vote “very disappointing” and said “adding Internet ’toll lanes’ … would drastically change the Web as we know it.” Sens. Dean Heller, R-Nev., and Ron Johnson, R-Wis., reiterated earlier calls that Congress should take the lead on net neutrality, not the FCC, and slammed the NPRM. “The FCC should respect its regulatory limits and Congress should do its job to address these concerns,” they said. “In the meantime, any policy adopted by the FCC should continue to respect the ‘light touch’ regime that has led to industry investment and a thriving Internet ecosystem."