Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) detailed his opposition to the FCC's plans to roll out net neutrality during a speech at Thursday's #RebootCongress Conference hosted by Lincoln Labs at the US Chamber of Commerce, warning that the policy would harm small businesses and stifle innovation.
"In Texas, we're fond of saying don't mess with Texas. The principle I'm going to suggest to you is: don't mess with the internet," said Cruz.
Cruz told the audience the initial plan is 332 pages and that they won't find out what's included within it until it's actually passed. "Do not accept the promise of Washington politicians who are telling all of us, 'If you like your internet, you can keep your internet,'” Cruz said.
“If the FCC turns the Internet into a regulated public utility, the innovation, the creativity that has characterized the Internet from its dawn, will inevitably be stifled. Now Title II by the way, gives all sorts of authority to regulate pricing and terms of service, and one of the implications if the Internet is regulated under Title II is 11 billion dollars a year in new taxes…" said Cruz. "Think about whether 11 billion dollars a year on the Internet is a good thing or a bad thing."
Cruz's full response can be found on his official website.