Future of Music Coalition (FMC), a national non-profit research, education and advocacy organization for musicians, strongly opposes a resolution set for a vote in the House of Representatives that would eliminate the FCC’s ability to preserve the internet as an open marketplace for creativity and commerce.

“Musicians and music entrepreneurs depend on the internet in practically every aspect of their lives and careers,” said FMC Senior Policy Strategist and Communications Director Casey Rae-Hunter. “Without the ability to compete on a level playing field alongside the biggest companies, today’s musicians — who are essentially small businesses — would be tremendously disadvantaged. The FCC’s Open Internet Order is a result of years of measured deliberation at the Commission, and has its roots in broadly-accepted principles put forth by FCC chairmen from both political parties. Any attempt by Congress to repudiate the Order runs counter to values shared by members on both sides of the aisle, particularly those of entrepreneurship and free expression.

“Congress certainly has a role to play in establishing an appropriate framework for broadband, and has every right to pass legislation to do so. Serious debate about the Order’s scope and substance is welcome, but eliminating the FCC’s authority can only be seen as counterproductive. In a fluid and evolving marketplace, it is plainly obvious that clear, transparent and fully enforceable rules are necessary to help guide investment and innovation.”

The Congressional Review Act (H.J. Res. 37) would strip the FCC’s ability to enforce clear rules of the road for the internet, and would create the possibility of Internet Service Provider discrimination of content based on business arrangements or other preferences. This would have a profoundly negative impact on innovation and creative entrepreneurship in a crucial marketplace.

Future of Music Coalition’s Rock the Net campaign features thousands of musicians and music entrepreneurs from every conceivable genre and background. Artists such as R.E.M., the Decemberists, Erin McKeown, Pearl Jam, OK Go and many more have gone on record at the FCC and in Congress in support of clear and enforceable rules of the road to preserve access and innovation online.

FMC also joins other arts and cultural organizations, such as the American Federation of Musicians, the American Association of Independent Music, the National Association of Latino Arts and Culture, Writers Guild of America, the Independent Film and Television Alliance, Fractured Atlas, the National Alliance of Media Arts and Culture, Voto Latino and many more in supporting basic internet rules.