March Letter Drop
As your constituent, I ask you to cosponsor and vote for SJ Res 52/HJ Res 129 - Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission relating to “Restoring Internet Freedom” introduced by Rep. Mike Doyle (PA14). Net neutrality is too important to the future of creativity and commerce.
The FCC ignored millions of public comments that demanded they maintain Net Neutrality rules—regulations that guarantee fair and equal access for all internet traffic. By a narrow 3 to 2 vote last December, the FCC removed these Internet consumer protections. Congress has the final say over this policy.
Under the Congressional Review Act, Congress can pass a resolution of disapproval to nullify FCC Chairman Pai’s repeal of Net Neutrality protections -- the so-called “Restoring Internet Freedom” Order. Doing so would leave us with the strong Net Neutrality protections adopted in 2015, which were based on the firm and successful legal grounding of Title II of the Communications Act.
Strong Net Neutrality rules have overwhelming bipartisan support from the American people. Since the late 1990s, under Republican and Democratic leadership alike, the FCC sought to enforce at least some basic principles preventing ISPs from picking winners and losers on the internet by blocking or discriminating against certain kinds of content or applications. If Congress allows Pai's plan to take effect, Net Neutrality rules and principles long upheld by both parties would be repealed in their entirety without a replacement -- leaving activists, consumers, and businesses without defense against ISP interference.
Unless Congress intervenes in a timely fashion, internet service providers (ISPs) will begin to slow down or “throttle” web traffic—to demand higher fees for higher speeds, to block access to unfavorable content, or for any reason at all.
Congress must reverse the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) decision.
Sincerely,