14 House Republicans have signed onto a resolution to strike down the FCC’s new net neutrality rules.
The straightforward resolution simply declares that “Congress disapproves the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission,” and “such rule shall have no force or effect.” These rules, passed in February, subject the internet to utility-style regulations in order to ban internet service providers from actions like blocking and throttling.
Theoretically the resolution would allow Congress a quick means of killing the rule, since it would require a simple majority to pass and is not subject to a filibuster. But since Republicans are not yet united on a strategy, and the president would surely veto the resolution, it doesn’t stand much chance of actually delivering the death stroke to net neutrality.
Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.), who introduced the resolution, rejected the idea that his legislation is purely symbolic, telling National Journal, “I think when you’re standing up for the Constitution, it’s not symbolic at all.”
“We’re simply saying that we believe what the FCC did is in Congress’s purview, and not the agency’s purview,” he said. “If things are going to change, they need to come through Congress, not administrative action.”
According to The Hill, the thirteen other Republican members who have signed on so far are House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte (Va.) Commerce Committee vice chairman Bob Latta (Ohio), Reps. Steve Chabot (Ohio), Lynn Westmoreland (Ga), Glenn Grothman (Wis.), Bill Posey (Fla.), Rick Allen (Ga.), Ryan Zinke (Mont.), Barry Loudermilk (Ga.), Sam Johnson (Texas), Dennis Ross (Fla.), Buddy Carter (Ga.) and Vern Buchanan (Fla).
Republicans have consistently opposed the FCC’s rule, but not all agree on how to defeat it. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune (R-S.D.) has tried repeatedly to sell a compromise bill, which would enact net neutrality goals through legislation rather than FCC control, while Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) has her own bill blocking the rules.
