Julius Genachowski, chairman of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, joined an ongoing debate over net neutrality today, announcing his support for preventing ISP interference with internet traffic.

“It is essential that the Internet remain open,” Genachowski said in a televised speech. “If we wait too long to preserve a free and open Internet, it will be too late.”

Genachowski’s fellow FCC Democrats, Michael J. Copps and Mignon Clyburn, immediately endorsed his position, advocating “an enforceable principle of non-discrimination” in the way carriers deal with internet traffic.

Senate Republicans quickly responded with a legislative amendment that would tie up funding for new FCC regulatory mandates.

“We must tread lightly when it comes to new regulations,” explained Texas Senator, Kay Bailey Hutchison. “Where there have been a handful of questionable actions in the past on the part of a few companies, the Commission and the marketplace have responded swiftly.”

Regulations on how ISPs are allowed to manage their networks would “stifle investment incentives,” Hutchison predicted.

Senators John Ensign (R-Nev.), Sam Brownback (R-Kansas), David Vitter (R-La.), Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) have all co-sponsored Hutchison’s amendment.