FCC net neutrality economic analysis due to Congress Monday

House Republicans have set Monday as the deadline for FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski to send them an economic analysis of net-neutrality regulations.

The request was sent Thursday, giving the FCC two business days to respond to the six questions in the letter. The questions precede a Wednesday hearing slated to discuss how repealing net neutrality would impact job creation.

{mosads}The letter from Energy and Commerce Chairman Fred Upton (Mich.), Communications subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden (Ore.), and Vice Chairman Lee Terry (Neb.) asked to see specific language in the order that provides an economic justification of the rules. 

The letter says: “President Obama has said that it is important in the current fiscal environment to focus on promoting the economy and creating jobs. Please point us to the specific paragraphs and language in the order analyzing the impact of your rules on the economy and the creation or loss of jobs.”

The letter questions the commission for using Section 706 of the Communications Act as part of its legal basis for making new rules. Section 706 gives the FCC the power to take action to accelerate broadband deployment by “removing barriers to infrastructure investment” under certain circumstances. 

The letter asks Genachowski to explain how the rules remove barriers. Republicans contend that the rules create new barriers to investment.  

They also asked why the FCC has not closed Title II docket, which would regulate broadband more stringently.

Democrats called for Wednesday’s net neutrality hearing, arguing that the GOP is trying to repeal the rules without examining how that would impact job creation. 

Ranking member Henry Waxman (Calif.) and Communications subcommittee ranking member Anna Eshoo (Calif.) said in a letter to their GOP counterparts last week that Google, Facebook, Amazon, and eBay pushed for the rules because net neutrality helps ensure “that the Internet remains a key engine of economic growth, innovation, and global competitiveness.”