"COPE is the perfect name for this act because we will be coping with the results of this act for decades," said Congresswoman Watson.  "My colleagues and I offered an amendment that would prevent telecom companies from picking and choosing parts of communities they wish to serve.  It would have required gradual, market-based build-out of an entire area so that all customers are served. Unfortunately, the amendment was blocked. Moreover, oversight of local franchisees will now revert to the Federal Communications Committee (FCC) here in Washington, D.C.  Consumers deserve a local court of appeal – not the distant long arm of the federal government – that understands the community and therefore can make sound judgments that benefit everyone."

"I am also concerned that the legislation does not include adequate safeguards to ensure that minorities as well as other traditionally under-served groups are not discriminated against in the provision of telecom services.  The bill contains weak anti-discrimination provisions, and I fear that it will lead to the redlining of entire neighborhoods, leaving minorities and the poor behind."

Congresswoman Watson also supported an amendment, defeated by a House vote, to strengthen and preserve equal access to the Internet for all users. "It is essential to preserve the Internet as an open platform with equal access for all " said Congresswoman Watson.  "Legislation that would allow Internet providers to differentiate services it provides to customers will repress innovation.  If we erect the equivalent of tollbooths on our information highway, we will seriously curtail the number of voices that Americans hear, hurt consumers, and restrict the growth of our nation’s most dynamic medium."

H.R. 5252 passed the House by a vote of 321 to 101.