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Radio News: Resolution in Congress would bring back net neutrality
Mar 04, 2018 10:50 pm
There is now a resolution of disapproval introduced in both houses of Congress, which would rollback the rollback of the Federal Communications Commission’s net neutrality rules. The Congressional Review Act lets Congress reverse recent decisions made by federal agencies via an expedited legislative process. In December, the FCC rolled back the net neutrality rules that make the internet an even playing field. Ed Markey of Massachusetts is leading the Senate version, with 50 senators, just one shy of the number needed to pass the chamber, already signed on. Maine's Susan Collins is the only Republican signed on in the Senate. In the U.S. House of Representatives, Michael Doyle of Pennsylvania introduced an identical version with 150 co-sponsors so far. With too few Democrats to pass the resolution alone, it needs help from moderate Republicans such as Rep. John Faso of New York, who has not signed on at this point. There are also several lawsuits from states and activists groups attempting to overrule the FCC rollback of net neutrality. Markey says sometime this spring Democrats will force a vote in the Senate on the resolution.