by
Kevin Zeese and Margaret Flowers
Part
2 - Repeal the FCC Anti-Net Neutrality Order In Congress
Under
the Congressional Review Act (CRA), Congress can reject a federal
agency’s decision. The net neutrality movement has 60 legislative
days to push Congress to reverse the FCC’s order and return net
neutrality rules that reclassified the Internet under Title II of the
Federal Communications Act. Title II classification ensured the
Internet was a common carrier with equal access for all. The movement
is working in both bodies of Congress to put elected officials on
record for their positions so they can be held accountable.
Net
neutrality proponents have been organizing for a Resolution of
Disapproval under the CRA since the FCC announced its decision last
December. There are already enough co-sponsors to ensure a vote in
the Senate, but we are one vote away from victory. Right now all
Senate Democrats, both independents, Senators Bernie Sanders (VT) and
Angus King (ME), and one Republican, Susan Collins (ME), have agreed
to vote for the resolution. This has the Senate in a tie, which would
be broken by Vice President Mike Pence. There are several possible
Republicans, e.g. Sen. John Kennedy (LA), Sen. Lisa Murkowski (AK),
Sen. Dean Heller (NV), Sen. Dan Sullivan (AK), Sen. Cory Gardner
(CO), and Sen. John McCain (AZ), who might join Collins in opposing
the FCC rule.
Next
Tuesday, February 27, the Internet coalition has organized a
#OneMoreVote national day of action. Go to Battle for the Net’s
#OneMoreVote campaign to encourage your Senator to get behind the
CRA. There will be a rally for the #OneMoveVote campaign outside the
Senate in Washington, DC as part of the national day of action.
The
Internet Service Providers’ position is being advocated for by the
right wing group, Freedom Works, who defends the FCC’s repeal of
net neutrality. They will be holding a day of action on Monday. They
are taking the CRA challenge seriously and can no longer ignore us.
There
has also been organizing in the US House of Representatives. On
January 16, Representative Mike Doyle (PA-14) unveiled the names of
82 original cosponsors of his CRA resolution. Including Doyle, the
list totals 83 and includes House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. A
majority of House members are needed to move forward.
This
movement intends to make net neutrality an issue in the 2018
election. Republicans, in particular, are worried about a
Trump-caused election against them, resulting in large numbers of
retirements. Voters across the political spectrum support net
neutrality. Republicans need to join the national consensus or pay a
political price.
After we
succeed in both Chambers, President Trump will need to decide if he
is with the people or the telecoms. If we are successful in both
Houses of Congress, we will have built a lot of political power that
will be dangerous for Trump to ignore.
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