GOP senators blast FCC chief over states’ rights comments

A group of Republican senators have a message for the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission: Back off.

In a letter sent to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler on Thursday, nine Republican Senators rebuked Wheeler for his expressed intent to ignore state laws banning Internet services funded by municipalities.

Wheeler’s remarks were made to an audience of cable industry professionals in April, which Watchdog.org previously reported.

Wheeler, a former cable industry lobbyist, also signaled his intent in February to sidestep state broadband laws.

“The insinuation that the Federal Communications Commission will force taxpayer funded competition against private broadband providers — against the wishes of the states — is deeply troubling,” said the senators.

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