MIKE COFFMAN 2443 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDI NG W AS HINGTON, DC 20515 6TH DISTRICT, COLORADO (202) 225-7882 (202) 226-4623 FAX ARMED SERVICES COMMITIEE MILITARY PER SONNEL DISTRICT OFFICE : SUBCOMMITIEE CHAIRMAN Qlnugr.ess nf tq.e luit.e~ ,§tat.es 3300 SOUTH PARKER ROAD 1071CHERRY CREEK PLACE IV; SUITE 305 VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITIEE ih;nusc nf iRcµrc.aentatiucs AUR ORA, CO 80014 (720) 748- 7514 l!Iasqtttghrn , filO: 211515- Dfillfi (720) 748- 7680 FAX COFFMAN.HOUSE.GOV December 12, 2017 The Honorable Ajit V. Pai Chairman Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 Dear Chairman Pai, I write to you concerning the Federal Communications Commission's proposed rulemaking on "Restoring Internet Freedom" and your impending December 14th vote on the matter. The Internet has been and remains a transformative tool, and I am concerned that any action you may take to alter the rules under which it functions may well have significant unanticipated negative consequences. Therefore, I urge you to delay your upcoming vote and provide Congress with the opportunity to hold hearings on the net neutrality issue and to pass permanent open Internet legislation. The preceding four Chairmen of the Federal Communications Commission, two Republicans and two Democrats, all took steps to uphold the basic principles that guaranteed a free and open internet. Their combined efforts have given the nation a highly successful and popular space notable for free markets, free expression and for the tremendous growth in the Internet economy. As you stated in your dissent to the previous FCC's open Internet proceeding, "A dispute this fundamental is not for us, five unelected individuals, to decide. Instead, it should be resolved by the people's elected representatives, those who choose the direction of government-and those whom the American people can hold accountable for that choice." 1 I believe Congress can find the right balance of light-touch regulatory authority while celebrating the same open Internet protections that exist today. I greatly appreciate your consideration and look forward to working with you to find a permanent legislative solution to ensure the continuation of a free and open Internet. u~Mike Coffman ~,.....V'""""'-"'"----- Member of Congress cc: Commissioner Mignon Clyburn Commissioner Michael O'Rielly Commissioner Brendan Carr Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel 1 FCC Commissioner Pai 2014 01 NPRM Dissent at 2, https://apps.fcc .gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-14-61 A5.pdf. PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER