Restoration of net neutrality rules hits key milestone in Senate

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Democratic Sens who are trying to force a vote on reinstating network neutrality rules have hit a key milestone. A Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution that would reverse the Federal Communications Commission's net neutrality repeal needed 30 co-sponsors in order to get a Senate vote. Sen Claire McCaskill (D-MO) announced that she has signed on to be the 30th co-sponsor. 

Sen Ed Markey (D-MA) announced the CRA resolution shortly after the FCC's repeal vote in Dec. All 30 supporters are members of the Democratic caucus. "[W]e now have the 30 votes we need to force a vote on my CRA to reverse the repeal of #NetNeutrality," Sen Markey wrote. Sen Markey's bill likely won't restore the net neutrality rules in the end, even if it passes in the Senate. Forcing a vote will be more difficult in the House, where Republicans hold a larger majority. Even if the bill passes both the Senate and House, President Donald Trump is likely to issue a veto in order to let the FCC's net neutrality repeal go forward. Still, Sen Markey's resolution could pass in the Senate if all Democrats and two Republicans vote in favor of it. A vote would keep net neutrality in the spotlight as Democratic lawmakers prepare to make the repeal a campaign issue in the November 2018 elections.


Restoration of net neutrality rules hits key milestone in Senate Sen Markey: CRA Nullifying Net Reg Rollback Will Get Vote (B&C) Senate bill to reverse net neutrality repeal gains 30th co-sponsor, ensuring floor vote (The Hill)