Congressman Marsha Blackburn (TN-7) today called out the Federal Communications Commission for prioritizing political agendas over the health of America's most dynamic marketplaces. In her opening statement before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Telecommunication's hearing on FCC reform, Blackburn criticized federal bureaucrats who often exceed their statutory authority and hold commerce hostage to their own political desires:
"The legislation offered by Chairman Walden is a starting point for us to address the crisis of confidence many have in the FCC.
"But, we need to move the agency away from an institution driven by activists pursuing social outcomes to one grounded in regulatory humility and statutory obedience. Congress should slam the FCC's regulatory back-door shut, lock it, and return the keys to the free market.
"Any new regulations must require concrete examples of market failure and true consumer harm because there is no room for additional burdens on American industries and consumers without just cause.
"We need stronger accountability and transparency of the agency to ensure it operates within its legal boundaries