The Federal Communications Commission’s Ajit Pai is returning federal regulation of the internet to a “much more rational” approach by repealing net neutrality, the chairman said in an interview with the Washington Free Beacon.

Pai says he holds the “very radical” position once held by former Democratic president Bill Clinton: a hands-off approach to allow the internet to continue to flourish free from burdensome government rules.

Aside from more creative criticisms, the media are painting the repeal of the Obama administration’s unprecedented regulation two years ago as a Republican-led FCC siding with industry over consumers.

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However, the rules had unintended consequences of curbing unlimited data streaming plans popular with consumers and restricting investment to expand broadband in rural and low-income areas, Pai said.

[RELATED: Ending Net Neutrality Will Set The Internet Free]