Do You Support the Save the Internet Act to Restore Net Neutrality?

What’s the story?

• The Save the Internet Act – a bill that would restore net neutrality protections – will undergo a full markup in the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Wednesday.
• This markup is the next step towards a full vote in the House of Representatives, which is expected the week of April 8.
• Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA), a sponsor of the bill, said it's a free speech issue when he announced the legislation:

"Another way of saying net neutrality is saying nondiscrimination against the smallest companies, against the smallest voices within our society. We are standing and fighting for them here today, and we will not stop till we win."

• In December 2017, the Federal Communications Commission voted along party lines to dismantle net neutrality regulations, allowing internet providers (ISPs) to speed up – or slow down – access to apps and websites.

What are they marking up?

• There’s a sharp difference of opinion among lawmakers of whether to base the bill on the use of Title II of the Communications Act of 1934, something Republicans have argued is an overly burdensome regulation.
• Title II allows the FCC to regulate wire and radio communication services. In 2015, then-FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler implemented Title II on Internet Service Providers (ISPs), basically creating net neutrality. In 2017, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai removed the Title II classification, returning control of the internet to the ISPs.

Critics of the Save the Internet Act

• The Internet & Television Association, NCTA, released a statement saying they’re “disappointed that Democratic leaders would ignore growing calls for bipartisan action, and instead advance a highly controversial, partisan proposal that puts the internet under heavy-handed government control.”

NCTA continued: "The internet does not need saving. To the contrary, it is thriving, with wireless companies investing in advanced 5G networks and our industry advancing our 10G platform to deliver speeds 10 times faster than what is available today. We remain committed to finding a real bipartisan solution that offers consumers stable and enforceable protections, without the unnecessary overreach of common carrier regulation, so that this exceptional network progress can continue.”

What do you think?

Take action above to tell your reps whether they should support or oppose efforts to restore net neutrality protections. Then share your thoughts below.

—Josh Herman

(Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com / Hispanolistic)