MARSHA BLACKBURN 7TH DISTRICT, TENNESSEE DEPUTY WHIP COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND COMMERCE VICE-CHAIRMAN COMMITTEE ON THE BUDGET C!Congre~~ of tbe Wniteb ~tate~ J!)ou~e of ll\epre~entatibt~ wmla~bington.l\<1!: 20515-4207 April24, 2014 The Honorable Tom Wheeler Chairman Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, SW Washington, DC 20554 Dear Mr. Chairman: WASHINGTON OFFICE 217 CANNON HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON, DC 20515 TELEPHONE: (202) 225-2811 DISTRICT OFFICES. 305 PUBLIC SOUARE, SUITE 212 FRANKLIN, TN 37064 TELEPHONE: (615)591-5161 1850 MEMORIAL DRIVE CLARKSVILLE, TN 37043 TELEPHONE: (931) 503-Q391 On April23, 2014, you announced that the draft Open Internet Notice of Proposed Rulemaking will be placed on the May 15th Open Agenda Meeting and subsequently be open to public comment and then the FCC will craft and vote on final rules. I am writing today to request that the Commission follow Executive Order 13563 initiated by President Obama. As you know, on July 11, 2011, President Obama formally asked independent agencies to join executive agencies in reducing regulations that place unnecessary burdens on American businesses and the American people that was outlined in Executive Order 13563. The President was right to ask independent agencies such as the FCC to join in this effort. I believe that regulatory reform continues to be a top priority as it will increase investment, spur innovation, increase competition and create jobs, especially in niy home state of Tennessee. That is why the FCC in its review of the Open Internet Notice that the agency follow Executive Order 13563 which states that each agency must, among other things, propose or adopt a regulation only upon a reasoned determination that its benefits justify the costs. Congress has clearly stated that it is the policy of the United States to preserve the vibrant and competitive free market that presently exists for the Internet and other interactive computer services, unfettered by Federal or State regulation. It is important to understand the implications of the proposed FCC action will have in preserving the competitive free market that has long existed for the Internet and its impact on jobs. Over the last fifteen years, we have all witnessed an explosive growth in innovation and investment in infrastructure. Before any rule of this magnitude goes into effect, it is imperative that we fully understand the impact this regulation will have on our economy. Failure to fully understand the cost benefits ofthis rule could slow our economic recovery and harm job creation. Will you conduct a cost benefit analysis pursuant to the format outlined in the President's Executive Order? If not, please provide me with a detailed explanation of why such an analysis is not necessary in your opinion. Sincerely, Marsha Blackburn Member of Congress