FCC Reversal of Net Neutrality Faces Tests from Senate, Tech

Yesterday, a Senate resolution introduced by Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) -- and backed by Senators Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), and Bob Menéndez (D-NJ), among others -- to reverse the FCC’s repeal of net neutrality received its 30th co-sponsor, guaranteeing a vote on the Senate floor. Markey’s Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution of disapproval would rescind FCC Chairman Ajit Pai’s repeal and fully restore the 2015 Open Internet Order. A CRA resolution allows Congress to overturn regulatory actions at federal agencies with a simple majority vote in both chambers. On the advocacy side, a trade group that represents major tech players such as Facebook, Google, Netflix, and others has vowed to join the legal fight against the repeal. The Internet Association also said it would be participating in a lawsuit against the revised rules. The full breadth of the lawsuits remains to be seen, though, since the FCC’s new rules must be officially published in the Federal Register before any appeals can take place, and that’s yet to be done. Read more about the Senate’s effort here.