Democrats introduce legislation to protect net neutrality

Democratic lawmakers introduced legislation to protect net neutrality Tuesday, after the Federal Communications Commission released its plans to repeal the internet access regulations last week. The net neutrality rules, instituted by the Obama administration in 2015, ostensibly force telecommunications companies to treat all online content equally by precluding them from charging content creators to load their content.
Supporters of net neutrality contend that removing the rules will allow companies to elevate certain content providers who are willing and able to pay a higher price. President Trump's FCC voted to repeal the rules in December under the leadership of Chairman Ajit Pai, in order to return freedom to internet service providers.
On Tuesday, Sen. Edward Markey (D-Mass.) introduced a bill that would reverse the FCC's decision to repeal net neutrality and restore the Obama-era rules. It has the support of 50 lawmakers — including Republican Sen. Susan Collins (Maine), The Hill reported — which means if the Democrats can convert one more Republican senator, they could prevent a filibuster and pass the law.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
In the House, meanwhile, Rep. Mike Doyle (D-Penn.) has introduced his own legislation similar to Markey's. The measure has the support of 150 Democrats but no Republicans, indicating that even if Markey's bill could pass the upper chamber it is unlikely to pass the House. Even if it did, Trump is unlikely to sign it, Politico reported.
But that isn't stopping Democrats. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) plans to push net neutrality restoration to a vote in the coming months using the Congressional Review Act, which requires only 30 senators to back a bill in order to bring it to a vote. Schumer said that Democrats will make this a "major issue" for the 2018 midterm elections, Politico reported.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Shivani is the editorial assistant at TheWeek.com and has previously written for StreetEasy and Mic.com. A graduate of the physics and journalism departments at NYU, Shivani currently lives in Brooklyn and spends free time cooking, watching TV, and taking too many selfies.
-
Democrats: The 2028 race has begun
Feature Democratic primaries have already kicked off in South Carolina
-
The Pentagon's missing missiles
Feature The U.S. military is low on weapons. Can it restock before a major conflict breaks out?
-
Rescissions: Trump's push to control federal spending
Feature The GOP passed a bill to reduce funding for PBS, NPR and other public media stations
-
Trump executive order targets homeless
Speed Read It will now be easier for states and cities to remove homeless people from the streets
-
Columbia pays $200M to settle with White House
Speed Read The Trump administration accused the school of failing to protect its Jewish students amid pro-Palestinian protests
-
Florida judge and DOJ make Epstein trouble for Trump
Speed Read The Trump administration's request to release grand jury transcripts from the Epstein investigation was denied
-
Trump attacks Obama as Epstein furor mounts
Speed Read The Trump administration accused the Obama administration of 'treasonous' behavior during the 2016 election
-
Trump administration releases MLK files
Speed Read Newly released documents on the 1968 assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. did not hold any new revelations, King historians said
-
Japan's prime minister feels pressure after election losses
Speed Read Shigeru Ishiba has vowed to remain in office
-
President diagnosed with 'chronic venous insufficiency'
Speed Read The vein disorder has given Trump swollen ankles and visible bruising on his hands
-
'Bawdy' Trump letter supercharges Epstein scandal
Speed Read The Wall Street Journal published details of Trump's alleged birthday letter to Epstein