Washington — The Senate has acted pursuant to its authority under the Congressional Review Act to try rein in the action of a federal agency that it considers harmful. Today, the Senate voted to begin undoing the FCC’s misguided action last year to eliminate nondiscrimination rules on the internet known as net neutrality.
The FCC received more than 20 million comments from Internet users and businesses imploring it to keep the conditions that have been the underpinning of the internet throughout its history. Net neutrality means internet service providers must treat similar content equally rather than developing side relationships with businesses or users to charge more for faster speeds to some websites or services.
The Computer & Communications Industry Association represents a wide array of tech companies including leading internet services and internet providers. CCIA, has advocated on internet access and competition issues for over two decades including legal briefs supporting the 2015 Open Internet Order, which the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld just last year. The following can be attributed to CCIA President & CEO Ed Black:
“There is too much at stake for the economy and businesses that rely on the internet to let the FCC abdicate its responsibility to defend open internet access. Without some intervention by Congress and the courts, a few incumbent ISPs can alter the way the internet works in order to charge extra from internet users.
“With such consensus among Internet users, businesses, public interest groups on the need for an open internet, it is appalling the agency that was supposed to protect consumers decided not to do so. We all owe a debt of gratitude to Senators today for recognizing what a serious misstep the FCC has taken — and doing all they can to stop it. We urge the House to follow the Senate’s action.”
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