The net neutrality rules that were established in 2015 under the administration of then President Barack Obama have been saved -- well at least for the time being -- thanks to Democrats in the United States Senate. This week, the US Senate voted on a resolution to reverse a decision made by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to repeal the said rules, and the results of the vote show 52 in favor versus 47 against.
In attempting to put a stop to the FCC’s repeal of the 2015 net neutrality rules (the Commission had voted 3 to 2 back in December of last year), Democrats are taking full advantage of the Congressional Review Act (CRA). Under the CRA, Congress is allowed a period of 60 legislative days in order to reverse any regulation issued by a federal agency. In order to successfully undo the FCC’s decision, majorities are needed in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, plus the approval of President Donald Trump himself.
Those future challenges aside, the Senate’s 52 to 47 vote should signify a big victory for those who support the concept of net neutrality. Three years ago, the FCC had a Democrat majority, which made it easier for then Chairman Tom Wheeler to push for net neutrality rules that should help police broadband and mobile service providers in America from blocking or slowing down web traffic. And while net neutrality continues get support from various tech companies, various players in the telecoms industry have expressed their disapproval of the rules, claiming that the 2015 regulations actually throttled innovation and may even discourage investment. By the time President Trump took office in the White House, a new Chairman was appointed in the name of Ajit Pai, and he pushed for the repeal of the 2015 rules, which ultimately led to the December 3-2 vote.
With the US Senate’s recent 52 to 47 vote, net neutrality advocates get a desperately needed extra life. But of course, the battle is far from being over -- accomplishing a majority vote in the House of Representatives will be easier said than done, especially when one considers that out of the 435 members, currently only 160 Democrats threw their support behind a similar House resolution led by Representative Mike Doyle (a Democrat from Pennsylvania). Then there is President Trump, who presents yet another potential obstacle. The current commander in chief of America is not exactly fond of Obama’s policies, and there is no guarantee Trump will provide his signature in favor of the 2015 net neutrality rules.
