Sens Markey, Franken Seek To Head Off Net Neutrality-Blocker

Sens Ed Markey (D-MA) and Al Franken (D-MN) are urging Republican members of Congress not to try and block the Federal Communications Commission's new network neutrality rules via a final budget agreement. There was no such rider on the stop-gap appropriations bill that pushed off a final bill until at least Dec 11, but it could return on a longer-term bill.

Some Republican members of Congress have been trying to use defunding rules implementation via the budget or other legislative maneuvers to block Title II reclassification. "Without this critical consumer protection, Republicans would give an unprecedented amount of power and influence to Internet Service Providers, allowing them to discriminate against their users and choose the kinds of the content they provide," said Sen Franken's office. "This dangerous rider and push by Congressional Republicans undermines the right of Americans to have access to a free and open internet."