Senate Efforts To Block FCC?s Open Internet Rules Fail

In a largely party line vote, Senate Democrats blocked a Republican measure to prevent the FCC’s net neutrality rules from taking effect November 20. As Politico reported:

“Democrats ultimately held strong on a 52-46 vote, preventing a bloc of Republicans from further considering their resolution of disapproval – a legislative vehicle that generally allows Congress to consider, and in some cases reverse, the actions of federal agencies.”

The measure had passed the Republican-dominated House of Representatives in April, 2011, but ran aground in the Senate. And, even possible Senate passage would have ultimately failed because “Republicans had recognized the White House would likely veto any effort to roll back the FCC’s work on net neutrality, a threat the administration made formal this week.”

Speed Matters and CWA have long campaigned for open Internet rules believing that they not only protect users, but also foster a more vibrant spirit of technological innovation and development. We applaud Senate action to preserve the FCC rules.

GOP effort to override net neutrality rules blocked (Politico, Nov. 10, 2011)