Democrats Won’t Let Net Neutrality Die Without a Fight

Once a decision is filed in the register, opponents in Congress have 60 days from the time of filing to introduce a resolution. Now, House and Senate Democrats – plus one Senate Republican, Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) has signed up, as have 47 Democrats and two Independents.

Internet providers would be prohibited from blocking content or impairing traffic under a net-neutrality measure passed Tuesday by the Washington Legislature.

“States must act to protect the internet”, said Democratic Sen.

Senate Democrats are proposing to undo the FCC’s wrongheaded rule through a process set up by the Congressional Review Act. Other state proposals would create additional network management reporting requirements (e.g., Idaho’s HB-425), require disclosure of paid prioritization policies and agreements (e.g., New Jersey’s A-5257), and channel penalties for noncompliance with net neutrality principles towards funds for municipal broadband projects (e.g., West Virginia’s SB-396). “The internet is for everybody, not just for Verzion, Charter, AT&T, and Comcast”, Markey said, adding the crucial detail: “We need just one more vote”. Pai was given a “Kentucky handmade long gun” for his work repealing net neutrality. Democrats, who support net neutrality, say that they already have 50 votes in the Senate and lack only one more to pass the bill. “I encourage Republicans in Congress to join with us in this effort to reinstate net neutrality and ensure the internet is free and open for all Americans”. Markey said. “Do you stand with hard-working families for whom the internet is essential, or do you stand with the big money, corporate interests, and their army of lobbyists?”

Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) said that he introduced just such a resolution on Tuesday. Rep. Mike Doyle (D-Pa.) said that 150 Democrats have signed on to his resolution to restore the rules, but it is unclear whether he will garner enough Republican support to garner a majority. A free and open Internet will boost investment in technology and infrastructure, and result in a better online experience for all.

He said both sides can continue to question each other’s motives and “throw shade”, or solve the issue through legislation “once and for all”.

OR joins several other states that are trying to pass legislation or executive orders to keep Net Neutrality going. The site also lists those lawmakers that have not publicly supported the resolution and urges net neutrality supporters to contact them.

Protest participant and Magna resident Kevin Andrew Nelson said he thought internet regulation should be a politically neutral issue and that changes made by the FCC were meant to cede control to telecommunications power brokers.

With Net Neutrality officially ending in April, the clock is ticking to enact viable solutions.