What to do with the telecom statute
So Tech Daily (subscription only) is reporting that Sen. Stevens thinks his bill is being held up by net neutrality issues.
(On the other hand, I've also heard that anti-net-neutrality forces are planning a vote on Sept. 25, feeling confident that they will have the 60 votes to end debate and pass the bill.)
Sen. Stevens apparently expressed frustration about the net neutrality issue in a hearing today about Chairman Martin's re-confirmation for a second term:
The lack of stricter neutrality safeguards, however, has splintered the Senate and the communications industry. The issue “may well lead to its total defeat this year after 19 months of work on that bill,” Stevens, R-Alaska, said of his measure, which his committee narrowly approved in June but which has not reached the floor.
This may be a feint, a gesture, or it may be real. Can't tell. It may signal that a large online company is about to make a deal to help the legislation through, to be the hero of all those hard-working telecom companies who have slaved away over this bill for so long.
Can't tell.
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