Sen Nelson warns network neutrality rider could prevent compromise

Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Bill Nelson (D-FL) warned that a network neutrality rider included in a financial services appropriations bill could scuttle any hope of a compromise on the issue. The Senator’s office made the announcement ahead of a markup of the spending bill slated for the morning of July 23. Ranking Member Nelson and Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune (R-SD) have made “real progress” on a deal, his office said. “Sens. Thune and Nelson have been making real progress on bipartisan net-neutrality legislation, but that effort could be undermined if lawmakers try to fiddle with the FCC in a funding bill,” Ranking Member Nelson spokesman Dan McLaughlin said.

The Senate rider would block the FCC from using the new net neutrality rules to regulate the rates that Internet service providers like Comcast or AT&T can charge customers. While Ranking Member Nelson said he has made headway on a compromise with the GOP, little public progress has been announced since the legislation was floated at the beginning of 2015. Many other Democrats have been satisfied to let the FCC’s rules stand on their own. They have also raised major concerns about limiting the FCC’s authority with the GOP bill.