WASHINGTON, DC – House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) today issued the following statement in response to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler’s set top box proposal:
“Chairman Wheeler’s set top box proposal is a dangerous step backward in the effort to modernize the way the video space is regulated. Instead of empowering innovators, the creation of a new government-mandated IP licensing board will have a chilling effect on the video app market. This proposal is an unlawful power grab by the FCC, allowing them to dictate content licensing terms. The consequences of these additional layers of red tape will be severe, as they will undoubtedly stifle innovation and drastically altar the way in which people watch and enjoy television. It is not too late, and in fact I strongly encourage the FCC to abandon this power grab and instead work with us to create a system that unleashes innovators and benefits consumers.”