Heavy-Handed Tech Regulation 'Wouldn't Be Prudent,' Pai Says, Invoking Bush

Communications regulators ought to follow prudence ascribed to President George H.W. Bush and show skepticism about pre-emptive regulation of new technologies, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said at an International Institute of Communications event Tuesday, according to prepared remarks. "Not gonna do it. Wouldn't be prudent." That's a catchphrase of Saturday Night Live cast member Dana Carvey in his Bush parody. Pai said an example of that prudent approach is the rulemaking launched in October about dealing with orbital debris (see 1811150028), plus work in the Americas to advance regional proposals for the 2019 World Radiocommunication Conference.