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Senate Votes To Save Net Neutrality (gizmodo.com)

Posted by msmash on from the take-that,-pai dept.

In a monumental decision that will resonate through election season, the U.S. Senate on Wednesday voted to reinstate the net neutrality protections the Federal Communications Commission decided to repeal late last year. From a report: For months, procedural red tape has delayed the full implementation of the FCC's decision to drop Title II protections that prevent internet service providers from blocking or throttling online content. Last week, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai confirmed that the repeal of the 2015 Open Internet Order would go into effect on June 11. But Democrats put forth a resolution to use its power under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to review new regulations by federal agencies through an expedited legislative process. All 49 Democrats in the Senate supported the effort to undo the FCC's vote. Republicans, Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, John Kennedy of Louisiana and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska crossed party lines to support the measure. Further reading: ArsTechnica.

6 of 288 comments (clear)

  1. Gesture is great but toothless, at this point by garcia · · Score: 5, Informative

    From the article:

    Still, todayâ(TM)s vote means the proposal will have to go the House where Democrats will need to convince 25 Republicans to support net neutrality in order for the measure to passâ"and they have until January of next year to do it.

    So, as of right now, this is largely a gesture but still a good first step.

    1. Re:Gesture is great but toothless, at this point by barc0001 · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Yes, but all the House seats are up for re-election in November. It could very well be by January they no longer need any Republican support if the Dems take the House.

    2. Re:Gesture is great but toothless, at this point by barc0001 · · Score: 5, Informative

      > There's no real provision in the constitution for an act of congress that can't be veto'd,

      Actually, there is:

      "Congress can override a veto by passing the act by a two-thirds vote in both the House and the Senate. (Usually an act is passed with a simple majority.)"

      https://www.archives.gov/files/legislative/resources/education/veto/background.pdf

  2. Everything that's wrong with U.S. politics by nwaack · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This should not have been a vote across party lines! This vote, and others like it, just prove that congress-critters couldn't give a flying f#ck about the people they're mean to represent.

  3. Re:Not Anything Actually by youngone · · Score: 5, Insightful
    It seems a shame that if you don't like the Republican on offer your only realistic option to replace him is a Democrat.
    Some of us live in democracies. We might even have the option of 5 or 6 different parties.
    Some of those parties may not even sell us out for corporate money.

    It's nice.

  4. Re:Not Save... Authorize... by PopeRatzo · · Score: 5, Funny

    Let a few states pass laws that say they will not do business with ISPs that are not Neutral and problem solved...

    In other words, you're expecting California to save your asses. Again.

    --
    You are welcome on my lawn.