WASHINGTON, DC – In an effort to restore net neutrality rules that were repealed in 2017 by the Trump Administration, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today joined Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) in introducing the Save the Internet Act.

Net neutrality is a consumer-friendly framework to preserve competition and prevent big Internet Service Providers (ISPs) from discriminating against different types of Internet content and traffic. 

In December 2017, the Republican-led FCC voted 3-2 to overturn rules barring ISPs from blocking or slowing access to or charging more for certain content.  The FCC’s vote fell along party lines, with Trump-appointed Chairman Ajit Pai and Republican Commissioners Brendan Carr and Michael O’Rielly voting in favor of the order, and Democratic Commissioners Mignon Clyburn and Jessica Rosenworcel voting against.

After the FCC’s vote, three Republican Senators joined with the entire Senate Democratic Caucus in voting 52-47 to pass a resolution overturning the FCC’s net neutrality repeal under the Congressional Review Act (CRA).  But the U.S. House of Representatives, then controlled by Republicans, refused to take up the CRA.

“In rolling back net neutrality, the Trump Administration put private companies ahead of the public interest.  They handed giant telecoms more control over the Internet, with a wink and a nod not to dramatically raise prices or restrict access in the near term.  But the threat of that happening remains high unless Congress takes action.  The Save the Internet Act will help prevent the possibility of future price gouging and ensure the Internet remains open and free for all users,” said Senator Reed, who has long fought to protect net neutrality.

The Save the Internet Act enacts the three legacy net neutrality principles – no blocking, no throttling, and no paid prioritization – and empowers the FCC to prohibit unjust, unreasonable and discriminatory practices.  The legislation also ensures consumers can make informed decisions when shopping for Internet plans and restores the FCC’s authority to fund broadband access and deployment, particularly for rural communities and struggling Americans.  The Save the Internet Act codifies the FCC’s 2015 Open Internet Order in a similar manner to last year’s Congressional Review Act that passed the Senate and had bipartisan support in the House.