A bill, spearheaded by Democrats in the House of Representatives to restore Obama-era net neutrality guidelines regulating the Internet as a utility, March 26 passed a panel vote, 18-11, along party lines to advance to a full committee vote.
If the “Save the Internet Act,” which would restore the FCC’s 2015 net neutrality guidelines mandating all Internet traffic be treated equally, passes the House, it would have to be reconciled with the Senate and then signed by President Trump – the latter not likely considering his FCC chairman pick, Ajit Pai, initiated rollback of the regulations in 2017.
Republicans argue net neutrality guidelines would give the government too much control of the Internet. Some have looped the bill with freshman Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Green New Deal economic stimulus program that includes climate change and income equality, among other issues.
“I’m disappointed that we’re considering this proposal, which [is] like so many other things like the Green New Deal and all these other plans to have more government control over our everyday lives,” House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) said in a statement.
Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) countered that without net neutrality, there is “no backstop” safeguarding consumers from corporations.
Phillip Berenbroick, senior policy lawyer at Public Knowledge, said that since the Trump-era FCC repealed its Open Internet Order in 2017, broadband providers have “slowly and carefully” moved to undermine net neutrality in their business practices and their advocacy.
“We urge members of the House to support this bill and encourage every American to demand that their Representatives vote to approve it immediately,” he wrote.