Washington, D.C. - Democratic leaders of the House and Senate today unveiled the Save the Internet Act that will keep the internet open and free. The legislation will reverse the disastrous repeal by Trump’s Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in late 2017 of critical net neutrality protections.
The Save the Internet Act enacts the three legacy net neutrality principles - no blocking, no throttling and no paid prioritization - and empowers the FCC to prohibit unjust, unreasonable and discriminatory practices. The legislation also ensures consumers can make informed decisions when shopping for internet plans and restores the FCC’s authority to fund broadband access and deployment, particularly for rural communities and struggling Americans. The Save the Internet Act codifies the FCC’s 2015 Open Internet Order in a similar manner to last year’s Congressional Review Act that passed the Senate and had bipartisan support in the House.
The legislation was unveiled at a press conference today by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-WA), House Energy and Commerce Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Mike Doyle (D-PA), Senator Ed Markey (D-MA), House Energy and Commerce Committee Vice Chair Yvette Clarke (D-NY) and Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR). The Save the Internet Act will be introduced and lead-sponsored by Rep. Doyle in the House and Sen. Markey in the Senate.
“The free and open Internet is a pillar of our democracy," said Speaker Nancy Pelosi. “It is an honor to join Democrats from both sides of the Capitol to introduce this strong legislation, which honors the will of the millions of Americans speaking out to demand an end to the Trump assault on net neutrality. Democrats are proudly taking bold action to restore net neutrality protections: lowering costs and increasing choice for consumers, giving entrepreneurs a level playing field on which to compete, helping bring broadband to every corner of the country, and ensuring that American innovation and entrepreneurialism can continue to be the envy of the world."
“When the Republican-led FCC repealed net neutrality rules, they handed the big internet service providers the car keys and left American families and small businesses standing on the sidewalk. Special interests and the biggest corporations shouldn’t get to decide how consumers access the internet. Democrats are fighting for everyone who relies on the free and open internet. We call on Republicans to join the vast majority of Americans who oppose the FCC’s horribly misguided decision and support this legislation to restore net neutrality," said Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer.
“The Save the Internet Act puts consumers first by once again putting a cop on the beat at the FCC and protecting them from abusive and discriminatory practices by internet service providers," said Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone. “This legislation protects a free and open internet, and I look forward to moving it through the Committee soon."
“Consumers deserve protection from price-gouging cable companies. Regulators need to do their jobs and protect consumers," said Senate Commerce Ranking Member Maria Cantwell.
“The bill we’re introducing today would provide essential protections against abusive Internet Service Provider practices like throttling, blocking, and paid prioritization to prevent or reduce competition," said Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Mike Doyle at the press conference.
“When we talk about a free and open internet, we mean an internet that is free from corporate control and open to anyone to communicate, innovate and connect. Net neutrality ensures that when you pay your monthly bill to your internet service provider, you can able to access all content on the web at the same speed as your neighbor or big corporations. The Save the Internet Act is clear and simple: overturn the Trump FCC’s wrongheaded decision and restore strong net neutrality protections. Whether in the halls of Congress or the halls of the courts, we will not stop fighting until net neutrality is fully restored. I thank my colleagues in the Senate and House for their partnership in this fight," said Senator Ed Markey.
“The Save the Internet Act puts power back in the hands of the American people by restoring net neutrality," said Energy and Commerce Committee Vice Chair Yvette Clarke. “We have promised the American people to restore open, unrestricted access to the internet and build out high-speed internet to every, school, small business and community in America still waiting for it. Today we are keeping that promise."
“Net neutrality is the basic proposition that once you pay your internet bill, you get to go where you want, how you want, when you want online. Big Cable shouldn’t be able to pick and choose which shows you can watch or articles you can read by favoring one outlet over another. If we want to give small businesses, rural communities and independent creators a fair shot, we need to make real net neutrality the law of the land," said Senator Ron Wyden.
