Mitch McConnell on Technology

	Mitch McConnell on Technology Republican Sr Senator (KY)

1987: Supported $87.5B earmark-laden highway bill

That spring found President Reagan weakened by the Iran-Contra scandal and wanting to demonstrate his continued clout and relevance. To this end, he vetoed what seemed to some conservatives as an excessively expensive and earmark-laden $87.5 billion highway bill. Support for the bill was strong in Kentucky, so McConnell resisted Reagan's intense personal lobbying and voted with 12 other Republicans to override the veto, which was done by a margin of 1. Again, he took solace from the fact that in a Democratic state like KY such occasional displays of independence from his party and its then-embattled leader would not hurt him politically. Source: Republican Leader, by John Dyche, p. 69-70 , Sep 15, 2010

Permanent ban on state & local taxation of Internet access.

McConnell co-sponsored permanently banning state & local taxation of Internet access

Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act of 2007 - Amends the Internet Tax Freedom Act to make permanent the ban on state and local taxation of Internet access and on multiple or discriminatory taxes on electronic commerce.

Related bills: H.R.743, H.R.1077, H.R.3678, S.156.

Source: Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act (S.2128) 07-S2128 on Oct 2, 2007

Voted NO on net neutrality: don't regulate the internet.

McConnell voted NAY Save the Internet Act

Summary by Vox.com: The US House of Representatives just passed a bill to bring Obama-era net neutrality rules back to the internet. This time, they want to make these regulations law so the Federal Communications Commission can’t overturn them easily. President Trump has said he will veto the bill should it make it to his desk. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell called the bill `dead on arrival in the Senate`.

Statement in support by Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA-16): `The internet has a profound impact on America`s economy and the social fabric of our nation. It is an important tool to connect individuals to each other and businesses with consumers, said Costa. `Ensuring a free and open internet, with equal access to all, is essential if we are to preserve the American dream.`

Statement in opposition by Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC-8): `If this legislation became law, the Internet would be slower, more expensive, less free and controlled by Washington,` said Rep. Hudson. `This would hurt our rural communities the most. I`ll continue to work to keep the Internet free from government intervention and open.`

Statement in opposition by Rep. Don Bacon (R-NC-8): `Previous regulations led to additional expenses for 80% of providers in rural areas leading to delayed or reduced network expansion and services,` said Rep. Bacon. `This bill would also lay the groundwork for the government for eventually taxing the internet.` The internet is now operating under the same regulations that governed, and facilitated its expansive growth, from the mid 1990`s until 2015. Some Democrats predicted that the return of those regulations would lead to limited access of the internet. None of those scenarios came true.

Legislative outcome: Bill passed House 232-190-10 on April 10, 2019, rollcall #167. [The 116th Congress terminated with no Senate action on this bill].

Source: Congressional vote 19-HR1644 on Mar 8, 2019

Prohibit the return of the Fairness Doctrine.

McConnell signed Broadcaster Freedom Act

A bill to prevent the Federal Communications Commission from repromulgating the fairness doctrine. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), notwithstanding any other provision of any Act, from having the authority to require broadcasters to present opposing viewpoints on controversial issues of public importance, commonly referred to as the Fairness Doctrine.

Source: S.34&H.R.226 2009-S34 on Jan 6, 2009

Secure the grid, according to CC survey.

McConnell supports the Christian Coalition survey question on grid security

The Christian Coalition inferred whether candidates agree or disagree with the statement, 'Take Federal Action to Secure the Grid Against Foreign/Terrorist Interference ?' Self-description by Christian Coalition of America: "These guides help give voters a clear understanding of where candidates stand on important pro-family issues" for all Senate and Presidential candidates.

Source: CC Survey 20CC-15 on Sep 10, 2020