Global

Senate passes measure repealing changes to net neutrality rules

May 17, 2018 12:30·
US net neutrality vote net nuetrality repeal US Senate vote net neutrality FCC rules Federal Communications Commission internet service providers tech companies internet traffic Congress vote

US net neutrality vote net nuetrality repeal US Senate vote net neutrality FCC rules Federal Communications Commission internet service providers tech companies internet traffic Congress vote

Senator John Thune, a Republican from South Dakota, said the internet thrived long before the Obama administration stepped in with rules in 2015, and he predicted that when the FCC repeal is in place, consumers won't notice a change in their service. While the issue has little hope of advancing to a vote in the House, it provides Democrats with a rallying point during the upcoming midterm election season.

If the CRA is approved by the House and signed by President Donald Trump, internet service providers would have to continue following rules that prohibit blocking, throttling and paid prioritization, VOA wrote. Democrats think the fight to restore the rules could be a political victor during November's congressional midterm elections even if the effort is unsuccessful, as it will force Republicans to record a vote against reinstating the rules. The Senate vote is just the first step though, as the vote now goes to the House of Representatives, which has until January 2019 to conduct its own vote. Maria Cantwell and Sen.

All 49 Democrats voted in favour of the resolution, along with three Republican Senators: John Kennedy of Louisiana, Susan Collins of ME, and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. It requires 218 votes to force a vote there, and only 160 House Democrats back the measure for now.

Still, Democrats are already using their messaging in campaign material. In a statement sent around Wednesday evening, the DSCC wrote that, "Today Democrats had to demand a vote to protect free and open internet, another reminder of how far Republicans will go to make life more expensive for Americans".

"It's typical of how Republicans have used their total control of Washington: Increase costs on Americans who actually work for a living while giving more breaks to the rich, well-connected special interests they care about". Tech companies have been signaling that the repeal of net neutrality could lead to significant financial consequences.

Brokerages Anticipate Cisco Systems (CSCO) Will Announce Quarterly Sales of $12.42 Billion
This buyback authorization permits the network equipment provider to purchase shares of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are generally an indication that the company's leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

USA hits Hezbollah top brass with new sanctions
Recommended video:How state capitalism in hurting both the Chinese people and the communist state's trade partners... Last October, the group announced joint sanctions on top Islamic State and Al-Qaeda figures in Yemen.

West Norfolk beaches given Seaside Awards
Keep Britain Tidy's Chief Executive Allison Ogden-Newton said: "Blue Flag leads the fight back for the Blue Planet". The Halifax Waterfront has once again been Blue Flag certified.

The FCC decided in 2015 to reclassify internet service providers as common carriers under a 1996 law. "Net neutrality is what allows the internet to be a tool for free speech, permissionless innovation and diverse voices on an infinite number of websites", said Chris Lewis, vice president at the advocacy group Public Knowledge.

Senator Ron Wyden said on the floor: "There is no vote that this body is going to take in 2018 that will have a more direct impact on the wallets of Americans than the one is going to happen in a few hours".

Republicans insist they, too, believe in net neutrality, but want to safeguard it by crafting forward-looking legislation rather than reimposing an outdated regulatory structure.

Before the vote, Senator Ed Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat, urged fellow senators to disregard the "armies of lobbyists marching the halls of Congress on behalf of big internet service providers".

Later, Rep. Anna Eshoo, a California Democrat who represents Silicon Valley, said she was happy by the result in the Senate with the legislation.

Recommended News

Join The Conversation

We are pleased to provide this opportunity to share information, experiences and observations about what's in the news.
Some of the comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper.
Thank you for taking the time to offer your thoughts.