Republicans can’t overturn the FCC’s new net neutrality rules without Sen Nelson. And he’s not playing along.

It's no secret that Republicans want to replace the Federal Communications Commission's new network neutrality regulations with legislation. But they need Democrats to do it -- and at least one prominent liberal is signaling that he won't go along with the plan unless the GOP substantially changes the deal on the table. Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Bill Nelson (D-FL) reiterated what he's been saying for weeks: That he's open to working with Republicans on a "truly bipartisan" bill aimed at preventing Internet providers from speeding up, slowing down or blocking Web sites. But he'll only cooperate, he said, "provided such action fully protects consumers, does not undercut the FCC's role and leaves the agency with flexible, forward-looking authority to respond to the changes in this dynamic broadband marketplace."

It's a subtle critique of a bill proposed by Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune (R-SD) and House Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI). That legislation would enshrine many of the FCC's regulations into new law. But there's a catch: It would also strip the FCC of some of its powers. And for Democrats like Ranking Member Nelson, that's a non-starter.