Democrats urge U.S. House vote on net
neutrality rules as end nears
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[June 08, 2018]
By David Shepardson
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senate Democrats on
Thursday made a last-ditch request for a House vote to reverse the
Federal Communications Commission's decision due to take effect on
Monday repealing so-called net neutrality rules that sought to ensure
equal internet access.
The 47 Senate Democrats and two independents wrote U.S. House Speaker
Paul Ryan urging him to schedule a vote to keep the Obama-era net
neutrality rules. His office did not comment, referring questions to the
Energy and Commerce Committee.
The FCC repealed the net neutrality rules in December, and they formally
expire on Monday. New regulations give providers power to speed up or
slow down internet traffic based on how much customers pay, and those
are due to go into effect after a review of new transparency
requirements by the White House.
On May 16, the U.S. Senate voted 52 to 47 to overturn the FCC decision
with three Republicans voting with 47 Democrats and two independents to
reverse the Trump administration’s action.
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But to retain the net neutrality rules, the U.S. House must vote in line
with the Senate, and President Donald Trump would also have to sign the
measure.
A spokeswoman for the House committee Chairman Greg Walden, a
Republican, said he had not dropped his opposition to the net neutrality
rules.
Many Democrats say the issue will help motivate younger people to vote
in the 2018 congressional elections, and polls show overwhelming public
support for retaining the rules.
The FCC repealed the 2015 rules that barred internet service providers
from blocking or slowing access to content or charging consumers more
for certain content.
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![](../images/060818pics/news_u39.jpg)
Chairman Ajit Pai speaks ahead of the vote on the repeal of so
called net neutrality rules at the Federal Communications Commission
in Washington, U.S., December 14, 2017. REUTERS/Aaron P.
Bernstein/File Photo
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The December 2017 FCC rules require internet providers to tell
consumers whether they will block or slow content or offer paid
"fast lanes."
The revised rules were a win for internet service providers, whose
practices faced significant government oversight and FCC
investigations under the 2015 order. But the new rules are opposed
by internet firms like Facebook Inc and Alphabet Inc.
Comcast Corp, Verizon Communications Inc and AT&T Inc have pledged
to not block or discriminate against legal content after the rules
expire.
A group of 22 states have sued the FCC over the repeal. A federal
appeals court in Washington has not set a date for oral arguments.
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, who called the Senate vote disappointing last
month, on Thursday told reporters the revised rules “deliver better,
faster, and cheaper Internet access and more broadband competition
to the American people."
(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
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