US Senate Close to Overturning Net Neutrality Vote

Senate Democrats have put together a measure meant to block the Federal Communications Commission’s Net Neutrality vote in December and end the rules put in place by the Obama administration. Democrats are just one GOP vote shy of the 51-vote threshold for a Senate resolution of disapproval, which would strike down the FCC’s December rules change.

“With full caucus support,” Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said, “it’s clear that Democrats are committed to fighting to keep the internet from becoming the Wild West where ISPs are free to offer premium service to only the wealthiest customers while average consumers are left with far inferior options.”

The Democrats’ effort won the support of its first Republican backer, Sen. Susan Collins (Maine), last Tuesday. “Senator Collins does not support the FCC’s recent decision to repeal net neutrality rules, and she will support Senator Markey’s legislation that would overturn the FCC’s Net Neutrality vote,” spokeswoman Annie Clark said in a statement to The Hill.

The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), also celebrated the bill’s 50th co-sponsor in a statement Tuesday. “There is a tsunami of Congressional and grassroots support to overturn the FCC’s partisan and misguided decision on net neutrality,” Markey said.

More at The Hill