How President Trump's attack on net neutrality created a legal mess for the entire internet

The Trump Federal Communications Commission’s overzealous efforts to remove broadband providers from any obligations to protect internet users defies what Congress clearly intended for these critical communications services. Our national goal of achieving universal broadband service faces several roadblocks without the FCC’s Title II authority. The agency will also have difficulty upholding public safety if we don’t restore this crucial legal standard. These harms are already playing out. Feb. 25 marked the comment deadline in the Trump FCC’s ongoing Lifeline proceeding: The agency is once again waging war on the poor and trying to make it harder for poor people to access Lifeline services. And, on Feb. 27, the Hous Commerce Committee held a hearing to examine eight bills to improve public safety communications during natural disasters and other emergencies. Tied up in both of these inquiries is the question of whether the FCC can properly support and protect the American people given its decision to abandon its Title II authority.

Now more than ever we need the Senate to pass the Save the Internet Act. The legislation, which the House of Representatives passed in 2019, would restore Net Neutrality. It would also reinstate the FCC’s authority to protect broadband customers and ensure that broadband is accessible and affordable. We also need states to step up to protect their constituents’ internet rights: Already four states have passed pro-net neutrality laws, and five more have issued executive orders saying they won’t do business with any company that fails to adhere to open-internet principles. And we need a president who will fight for Title II net neutrality and appoint FCC officials who are committed to the same. The stakes for ensuring that people have reliable access to broadband are higher than this administration will ever admit.

[Jessica J. González is the co-CEO of Free Press Action]