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Senate Votes 52-47 To Restore Net Neutrality Rules
16 May 2018
The U.S. Senate today voted to repeal the Federal Communication Commission's Restoring Internet Freedom order enacted last December. The 52-47 vote included all 47 Democratic Senators, two independents, and three Republicans. Republicans Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska) and John Kennedy of Louisiana voted for repeal. John McCain of Arizona was absent.
The Senate Democrats used the Congressional Review Act, which gives Congress 60 days to review regulations passed by a federal agency, to call for the vote to halt net neutrality's repeal.
The repeal now moves to the House of Representatives. If passed, it would require the president's signature.
"I think it's increasingly clear that there's not an issue you can find that polls this decisively in one direction," said Sen. Brian Schatz (D., Hawaii).
The Restoring Internet Freedom order would allow Internet service providers to block and throttle traffic, with tiered pricing for access resembling cable TV options. Repeal would restore the fair play Internet users have come to take for granted with equal access to all sites.
A number of ISPs have said publicly they would not create tiered service plans regardless of the order. Sonic.net, which hosts this site, is among them.
FCC chairman Ajit Pai ignored overwhelming public comment against the proposal when he enacted the order last December.
Net neutrality rules are scheduled to end in the U.S. on June 11.