WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today issued the following statement regarding a hearing conducted by the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee on “Protecting the Internet and Consumers through Congressional Action”:

“Over the past year, there has been a lot of debate about how to preserve a ‘free and open Internet.’  Some contend that the only way to preserve the Internet as we know it is to impose utility-style regulations on Internet service providers. I do not believe this is an efficient, effective, or workable solution. It would be harmful to Americans and would hurt the flexibility of service providers, stifling innovation in an industry that has been an economic engine for the past two decades.

“I look forward to working with Chairman Thune and our House Republican counterparts to put forward a proposal that ensures that consumers continue to have access to high-speed Internet services and innovation unimpeded by disproportionate government intervention.”