Republicans in Congress have made accusations against the current administration that the White House had an "improper influence" on the decision of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding policies on net neutrality.
The lawmakers are looking to launch an investigation into the matter.
The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform sent a letter to Tom Wheeler, chairman of the FCC, demanding to see the documentation of all communications between the personnel of the agency and the White House, along with all the visitor logs, calendar appointments and minutes of meetings related to interactions with the White House.
The committee is also demanding to see all the internal documents that contain discussions regarding the recommendations and views by the White House.
"Reports indicate that the views expressed by the White House potentially had an improper influence on the development of the draft Open Internet Order circulated internally at the Commission on February 5, 2015," said the letter, which was signed by the chairman of the committee Jason Chaffetz.
The letter raises specific concerns regarding the decision of the FCC to change the classification of broadband Internet services under Title II of the Communications Act of 1934.
The request of documents by the committee also includes other components such as all the documents in possession of agency personnel who work under the Office of the Chairman and the Office of General Counsel.
In November 2014, Obama called on the FCC to reclassify broadband Internet services as a public utility. This would allow the imposition of net neutrality regulations that would prevent providers of the Internet to interfere with the connection speeds provided to subscribers.
However, despite Obama's opinion on the matter, the president added that the FCC can do as it wants because it is an autonomous agency.
Earlier this week, Wheeler released his proposal for the reclassification of broadband Internet as a public utility, just as Obama had suggested.
Chaffetz's motivation to challenge the reclassification proposed by Wheeler is due to the monetary support that he has received from Comcast and Google, companies that are both against the reclassification of broadband services under Title II.
Broadband Internet providers are largely against the reclassification of the service as a public utility primarily because the companies would be subjected to stricter regulations and larger oversight from the FCC.
The demand sent by Chaffetz to Wheeler included making staff available for briefings and for all the requested documents to be provided by Feb. 20. Chaffetz also reminded Wheeler of the authority of the committee to investigate matters any time.
