ACU Applauds Senate Commerce Committee Vote in Favor of Consumer Choice

Internet regulation amendment rightly defeated.

ALEXANDRIA, VA— J. William Lauderback, executive vice president of the American Conservative Union, the nation’s oldest and largest grassroots conservative lobbying organization, issued the following statement today:

“American consumers will be the big winners following today’s vote in the Senate Commerce Committee to encourage competition in the cable services market, finally introducing it to the American free enterprise system.

“For too long, cable companies haven’t faced competition. They have refused to compete with each other, and they have hidden behind arcane regulations that make it difficult at best for new competitors to enter the market. Now, consumers will finally see the lower prices, improved customer service and new innovations that competition will foster in this market.

“Members of the Senate Commerce Committee have recognized that franchise regulations have insulated cable companies from the reality of a competitive market. By requiring new competitors to negotiate separate franchise agreements in the 33,000 or more municipalities across the country, these rules have ensured that competitors will wait years and spend millions of dollars to offer nationwide services. Consumers should not have to wait.

“In addition, members of the committee have recognized the danger of including provisions that would open the door to government regulation of the Internet. By defeating such amendments, the committee has ensured that the Internet will continue to grow unfettered under the principles of free enterprise.

“Now the full Senate should pass the Consumers Choice and Broadband Deployment Act quickly, so it can work with the House to reconcile a similar bill already passed. Once this law is enacted, competitors can seek nationwide franchises and then quickly offer cable television and video services.

“In communities that already have competition, prices have fallen by at least 20 percent and frequently much more. We know from experience that consumers are best served by open and competitive markets.