Legislators throw weight behind FCC’s expected net-neutrality revival

A handful of lawmakers gathered Thursday in front of the US Capitol to pledge their support for an upcoming agency vote that is expected to restore net-neutrality protections for internet service.

Speaking at a press conference, Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) said the Federal Communications Commission’s scheduled vote on April 25 will go a long way toward preserving free speech and ensuring the FCC can properly regulate internet service providers.

“We need net neutrality so our broadband networks are safe and secure and reliable. We need net neutrality so users can freely speak their minds on social media and tell their personal stories about reproductive health, gun violence, and climate change, and organize peaceful protests,” Markey told the small crowd. “It is simply unconscionable that our country’s expert communications regulator, the FCC, does not have the tools to oversee the preeminent communications tool of our time: broadband.”

As Tech Brew previously reported, the proposed rule change involves treating broadband providers as common carriers under Title II of the Communications Act, giving them baseline responsibilities that the FCC can enforce.

The rule change would also give the FCC “the power to establish binding rules that prohibit ISPs from blocking or throttling customers’ internet access, charging websites to reach users at quicker speeds, and instituting other unjust, unreasonable, and discriminatory practices,” Markey said.

Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) also spoke in support of the plan put forth by FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel, who stood alongside the lawmakers and delivered closing remarks.

Rosenworcel said the net-neutrality rules, which “reclassify broadband as a telecommunication service” will “reassert the FCC’s role as the country’s leading communications watchdog.” She said it will also help the agency investigate network outages and security concerns.

While advocates have long called on Congress to pass net-neutrality legislation, Markey indicated there’s currently no plan to do so.

“While obviously…we support making it permanent, the action that’s about to take place is important. This will put [net neutrality] back on the books,” Markey said in response to a question from Tech Brew. “That’s really what we’re focused on right now: this historic moment that’s about to arrive.”