Democrats are planning to use the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to reverse the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) decision to end net neutrality before it can go into effect.
Net neutrality is a policy former President Barack Obama’s administration enacted in 2015 that forces internet service providers (ISPs) to treat all internet data equally.
Democratic Sen. Edward Markey of Massachusetts released a press release Monday announcing the decision to enact a CRA resolution on May 9, with a vote taking place possibly a week later.
“In 2018, access to a free and open internet isn’t a privilege, it’s a right,” Markey said. “Since the FCC’s decision to repeal net neutrality, we have witnessed a historic movement emerge to protect that right, and it continues to build.”
Markey added: “The day of reckoning in the Senate on net neutrality is coming, and Republicans are on notice.”
A CRA resolution gives Congress 60 legislative days to reverse the FCC’s Dec. 14 decision, and the FCC officially put an end to net neutrality on Feb. 22.
With all 49 Senate Democratic caucus members supporting the CRA, as well as Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine. The resolution is one vote short of passing if all 100 senators are present. If Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona — who is in currently absent for brain cancer treatment — isn’t present for the vote, it would give net neutrality supporters a 50-49 majority to pass the Senate.
Advocates of net neutrality are planning a “massive day of action” on May 9 that will focus on securing the 51st vote, according to the press release. Fifty-one votes would guarantee passage through the Senate, although it is not likely to pass the House or get President Donald Trump’s signature.
Proponents argue that net neutrality is necessary to keep ISPs from favoring certain content and forcing certain sites like Netflix, who get a large amount of daily traffic, to pay more to the ISPs — which in turn could raise prices on customers.
Net neutrality critics are typically supportive of a neutral internet, just not in the public utility state, which is how it was treated under the net neutrality regulation.
ISPs have previously stated they agree the internet should be treated neutrally, so long as they aren’t overly burdened and don’t want their ability to offer faster packages to customers infringed.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, has been a vocal proponent of net neutrality, and released a statement with Markey in support of the decision to enact a CRA resolution.
“We’re in the homestretch in the fight to save net neutrality,” Schumer said. “Soon, the American people will know which side their member of congress is on: fighting for big corporations and ISPs or defending small business owners, entrepreneurs, middle-class families, and everyday consumers.”
The deadline for a Senate vote on Markey’s CRA resolution is June 12.
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