The American Senate in what has been seen as a great victory for the internet has voted 52-47 to disapprove the FCC’s recent order replacing 2015’s net neutrality rules.
While this doesn’t actually stop the FCC’s “Restoring Internet Freedom” plan in June it clearly shows the displeasure of Americans regarding a rule that seeks to hamper their use of the internet and throttle services which they might want to use.
For the old rules to be restored, Congress’ vote will have to pass in the House as well and then be signed by the president.
On the bright side, it also means that the topic of Net Neutrality will be put to every Senator with the midterms coming up.
At a press conference after the Senate session, Senator Ed Markey said; “‘Do you support net neutrality?’ Every candidate in America is going to be asked that question,”
Senator Chuck Schumer also said at the Press Conference; “People who use the internet all the time realize what this is about. Millions of calls, we don’t get that on every issue. People intuitively get this,”
Tech Crunch reports that up until yesterday, the Democrats in the Senate, who also brought the resolution, had 50 supporters, including one Republican, more than enough to force the issue to be voted on, but not enough to actually pass.
Two more Republicans, Alaska’s Lisa Murowski and Louisiana’s John Kennedy joined Maine’s Susan Collins to vote aye on the measure, making the final tally 52-47.
“We salute them for their courage,” said Senate minority leader Nancy Pelosi at the press conference.
Speaking on the Senate’s vote, FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel said; “Today the United States Senate took a big step to fix the serious mess the FCC made when it rolled back net neutrality late last year,
“Today’s vote is a sign that the fight for internet freedom is far from over. I’ll keep raising a ruckus to support net neutrality and I hope others will too.”
However, the Chairman of the FCC, Ajit Pai, a huge proponent for the removal of Net Neutrality, said; “It’s disappointing that Senate Democrats forced this resolution through by a narrow margin,” he said, “But ultimately, I’m confident that their effort to reinstate heavy-handed government regulation of the Internet will fail.”