Bills
| 3.23.22

Blocking the FCC From Rolling Back Net Neutrality (H.R. 4585)

Do you support or oppose this bill?

What is H.R. 4585?

(Updated August 26, 2021)

This bill would block the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from proceeding with its rollback of net neutrality using the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). In May 2017 the FCC offered an NPRM it called the “Restoring Internet Freedom” plan, which would undo the Obama administration’s 2015 Open Internet Order.

Argument in favor

Net neutrality should remain in effect so that it can continue protecting the open internet, and this bill would prevent the FCC from rolling it back through the regulatory process.

Argument opposed

The Obama administration’s net neutrality push was regulatory overreach that harmed the ability of internet providers to innovate ways to improve their services, it should be undone.

Impact

Internet users; internet service providers; and the FCC.

Cost of H.R. 4585

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

Additional Info

In-Depth: Sponsoring Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY) introduced this bill to stop the FCC’s rollback of net neutrality:

“The FCC’s proposal to screw up your internet is just about the worst plan I’ve seen -- the comment period was a mess and the rest of the proposal is full of holes. My bill would stop this rule from going into effect and keep the internet the way it is -- affordable, open, and full of innovation.”

Republicans have largely expressed support for the rollback, with House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) saying after its introduction:

“The internet is evidence of the unparalleled heights that a true free market can reach. But those heights have been threatened by federal regulations that set a dangerous precedent by focusing on controlling the internet rather than protecting consumers.”

This legislation has the support of 16 cosponsors in the House, all of whom are Democrats.


Media:

Summary by Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: warchi / iStock)