Network neutrality Vote Expected Thursday in Senate

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) expects a debate on the primarily Republican-backed resolution of disapproval to block the Federal Communications Commission’s network neutrality rules.

The Senate voted by unanimous consent last week for Sen McConnell to be recognized on the floor this week to make a motion to proceed to consideration of S.J. Res.6, the resolution pushed by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), a vocal opponent of the rules. There will be up to four hours of debate on that motion to consider the resolution, a motion that will likely pass, meaning there will be some further debate and then a vote on the actual resolution. The actual resolution will almost certainly not pass in the Democrat-controlled Senate, but Republicans will have had the chance to make their arguments on the Senate floor and draw attention to the rules and their criticism of the substance and the process. The Republican-controlled House has already passed a similar resolution.