Senate Democrats will move Wednesday to force a Senate floor vote to restore “net neutrality” rules imposed during the Obama administration.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., plan to file a discharge petition signed by 30 senators that would allow them to bring up a Congressional Review Act resolution. The resolution, if passed, would reverse a Federal Communications Commission decision that gave them the power to regulate the Internet like a telecommunications company.
Markey said all 49 Democrats support the measure along with Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, which would constitute a majority in the absence of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., does not support the measure but under the rules would have no choice but to bring it up for a vote at some point. The resolution must be considered by June 12.
Democrats have been working for months to bring the CRA resolution to the floor. They have argued that the FCC decision to stop the Obama-era regulation was partisan and would lead to unfair practices, such as throttling, by the Internet companies.
Those opposed to Markey’s efforts say the FCC move to undo the Obama-era regulation ensures Internet innovation and competitiveness can continue.
Whatever happens in the Senate, the resolution will likely die in Congress. A CRA resolution must pass both chambers, and House Republicans have no plans to bring up the measure, which would likely face a veto from President Trump.
Congress has passed 13 CRAs since Trump took office, all of them aimed at undoing Obama-era rules.
