Lawmakers Introduce Bicameral Legislation to Restore Net Neutrality

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (Hawa‘i-02) and a coalition of more than 202 members of Congress introduced legislation to block the Federal Communications Commission’s decision to unravel net neutrality.

Recognizing #OneMoreVote National Net Neutrality Day of Action taking place today, Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2018, the lawmakers joined technology companies, grassroots organizations, advocates and public interest groups in calling for the reinstatement of open, fair, and equal Internet access for all. Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) introduced companion legislation, which is supported by 50 Senators and needs one more vote to pass the U.S. Senate.

Under the Congressional Review Act, Members of the House and Senate can offer a joint resolution of disapproval on any regulation recently issued by a federal agency. If signed into law, the Congressional Review Act would overturn the FCC’s decision and restore net neutrality protections.

Congresswoman Gabbard said: “Across the country, students, entrepreneurs, working families and millions more rely on the Internet to access education, healthcare, employment, opportunity, and so much more. The FCC’s corporate-backed repeal of net neutrality abandons our democratic principles and has handed the levers of the Internet over to industry giants—giving these companies power to stifle access, deciding how much to charge people to visit certain websites, and making it impossible for small businesses to compete.

“With the vast majority of Americans strongly supporting net neutrality protections, Congress must take action now,” Rep. Gabbard said. “We are one vote away in the Senate and a handful of votes away in the House from reversing the FCC’s wrongheaded decision. I urge my colleagues to honor the millions of Americans who submitted comments, made calls, and protested the repeal of net neutrality by joining this national movement to demand open fair, and equal Internet access for all.”

Rep. Gabbard has been a leader in the fight to protect net neutrality, and has cosponsored legislation to prohibit multi-tiered pricing agreements between ISPs and content providers. She has voted against legislative efforts to undermine net neutrality, called on the FCC to maintain net neutrality rules, and urged the American people to voice their opinions during the FCC comment period.