Washington, D.C. – On the Net Neutrality National Day of Action, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and colleagues from both the Senate and House introduced a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to overturn the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) partisan decision on net neutrality. At a press conference today, Cortez Masto joined in announcing the introduction of House and Senate resolutions to fully restore the 2015 Open Internet Order. The Senate CRA resolution of disapproval stands at 50 supporters, including Republican Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine.). Rep. Mike Doyle’s (PA-14) resolution in the House of Representatives currently has 150 co-sponsors.
The FCC’s Open Internet Order prohibited internet service providers from blocking, slowing down, or discriminating against content online. Repealing these net neutrality rules could lead to higher prices for consumers, slower internet traffic, and even blocked websites. A recent poll showed that 83 percent of Americans do not approve of the FCC’s action to repeal net neutrality rules.
“Since the Internet’s inception, Americans have enjoyed access to a fair and open Internet,” said Cortez Masto. “The 2015 introduction of net neutrality rules guaranteed equal access for future generations to come. Net neutrality ensured working Americans, community libraries and small businesses received equal access to the same quality internet as wealthy Americans and big corporations. This has fostered economic growth, innovation and entrepreneurship all across the nation. President Trump’s FCC Chairman Pai has repealed these rules, placing an unfair burden on consumers and forcing rural hospitals, public libraries, small business and small tech startups to pay more for quality, reliable internet service. I urge my colleagues to support this CRA that protects an open internet, ensures competition and keeps providers from charging more money for the same services they already provide.”
A copy of the CRA resolution can be found HERE.
Last week, the FCC’s rule repealing net neutrality was published in the Federal Register, leaving 60 legislative days to seek a vote on the Senate floor on the CRA resolutions. In order to force a vote on the Senate resolution, Senator Markey will submit a discharge petition, which requires a minimum of 30 Senators’ signature. Once the discharge petition is filed, Senator Markey and Senate Democrats will demand a vote on the resolution.
###