The Biden administration’s approach to internet regulation is facing significant criticism as internet prices continue to fall and the quality of services improves due to free market competition. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is positioned to determine who gets connected to the internet and at what price, as well as regulate online speech. Three recent events highlight the FCC’s controversial actions.
The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals halted the FCC’s attempt to treat the internet as a regulated utility, or “common carrier.” This move was seen as unnecessary, given that over 90% of Americans already have access to high-speed internet provided by private companies. The Biden-Harris “infrastructure bill” allocated billions to increase internet access, but despite the $42 billion price tag, almost no households have been connected three years later. Brendan Carr, a former senior Republican commissioner of the FCC, noted that no construction projects are expected to start until 2025 at the earliest.
A letter from Meta/Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg to the House Judiciary Committee revealed that the Biden administration pressured the company to censor COVID-19-related content about health practices and vaccine safety. This raised concerns about government overreach and violations of First Amendment rights. The government’s involvement in internet issues consistently leads to setbacks or impediments to universal access and free information flow.
There is hope that both left and right can recognize the threats to freedom posed by such regulations and work together to keep the internet regulation-free.
Criticism of FCC internet policies
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration has approved Illinois’ proposal to expand broadband statewide, but the program is facing criticism from the FCC.
The Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program represents the largest single investment in broadband infrastructure in American history, with a cost of $42 billion. Illinois will receive just over $1 billion for its broadband rollout. FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr testified at a recent House Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing, pointing out that it has been over 1,000 days since the program was signed into law by the Biden Administration, and not one person has been connected to the internet.
Carr criticized the BEAD program as being “wired to fail,” emphasizing that each day of delay keeps Americans on the wrong side of the digital divide. On September 19, 2024, FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr (R) and other notable figures testified before the House Oversight and Accountability Committee regarding various policies enacted by the Biden administration. The hearing featured a mix of perspectives from conservative policy advocates and other experts who discussed both purported failures and successes of the administration’s initiatives.
The hearing provided a platform for a detailed examination of the administration’s policy impacts, with witnesses presenting evidence and viewpoints on key issues such as border enforcement and energy infrastructure. These testimonies highlighted both the challenges and perceived advancements under the Biden administration. The proceedings were aired live, allowing the public to witness the detailed discussions and varying perspectives on these critical national issues.
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