In the immediate aftermath of the recent elections, Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has called upon the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to cease work on initiatives he deems partisan or contentious. In a letter dated November 7, 2024, addressed to FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, Senator Cruz stated, “I request the FCC and all of its bureaus and offices immediately stop work on any partisan or controversial matters under consideration or in progress and focus only on matters that are uncontroversial or require action under the law.”
This correspondence, often referred to as a “pencils down” letter, is a customary practice during transitions of power. It urges federal agencies to avoid advancing significant policy changes until the incoming administration or congressional leadership is established.
Senator Cruz’s letter specifically targets initiatives such as the proposed reinstatement of net neutrality regulations and the FCC’s digital discrimination rules. He has previously criticized these measures, arguing that they represent overreach by the agency and could stifle innovation within the telecommunications sector. In a statement earlier this year, Cruz remarked, “Re-imposing heavy-handed, public-utility regulations on the internet would threaten the progress our country has made since 2017.”
Under Chairwoman Rosenworcel, the FCC has been actively pursuing policies to ensure equitable access to broadband services and reinstating net neutrality protections. In October 2024, the Commission voted to advance a proposal to reinstate open internet rules adopted in 2015, emphasizing the need for fair and open internet policies.
The timing of Senator Cruz’s letter, just two days after the election, underscores the heightened scrutiny and potential shifts in telecommunications policy as the new Congress convenes. The FCC still needs to issue a public response to the letter.
As the political landscape evolves, stakeholders within the telecommunications industry are closely monitoring these developments. They recognize that the outcomes could have significant implications for regulatory frameworks and the future of Internet governance in the United States.
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