FCC approves new rules

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FCC approves new rules
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The FCC passed a historic measure on Thursday to
more strictly regulate the Internet. The new
rules, based on the principles of "net
neutrality," act to provide equal opportunity for
Internet speeds and access to websites. The
central question was whether network owners --
like Comcast (CMCSA) or Time Warner Cable (TWC)
-- can discriminate what runs on their cables.
The FCC's answer on Thursday was No. The
Democratic-led commission approved 3-to-2, split
along party lines, to assert extra government
authority over the Internet. The FCC rules won't
be official until maybe summertime. Then major
telecom companies will challenge new rules in
court. A judge might put the rules on hold. The
next president, if Republican, could let this
fizzle away. In any event, most consumers are
unlikely to notice anything different about their
Internet service (but they may experience higher
taxes in the future).
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In Other News

• For years, support for Israel has been one of the
  few reliably bipartisan issues on Capitol Hill,
  with members on both sides of the aisle embracing
  the embattled Middle East country and welcoming
  its leaders with open arms. But when Prime
  Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accepted an
  invitation from Republican House Speaker John
  Boehner to address Congress on Tuesday when he
  is expected to sharply criticize White House
  deal-making with Iran he alienated more than
  the Democrat who sits in the Oval Office. As
  administration officials have exchanged
  increasingly hostile volleys with Netanyahu,
  party stalwarts are warning of a Democratic
  exodus away from Israel. They caution that the
  rancor over the speech could accelerate
  demographic and political trends that suggest
  support for Israel is becoming a partisan issue,
  with Republicans strongly pro and Democrats less
  so.
• The Philadelphia Eagles released veteran
  offensive lineman Todd Herremans on Thursday.
  The right guard was released after nine seasons
  with the team. Herremans was, along with outside
  linebacker Trent Cole, the longest-tenured player
  on the Eagles' roster. Herremans missed the
  second half of the 2014 season after tearing a
  biceps muscle during the Eagles' Oct. 26 game in
  Arizona. He was placed on injured reserve.