Zero hour nears for net neutrality rules

The Federal Communications Commission is moving forward with a plan to scrap net neutrality rules, defying a massive outcry from activists, Democrats and consumers. “I think what net neutrality repealed would actually mean is we once again have a free and open internet,” FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said on Tucker Carlson’s Fox News show. “The government would not be regulating how anyone in the internet service providers, how anyone else in the internet economy manages their networks.” A handful of Republicans have expressed skepticism or outright opposition to Pai’s push. Most notably, Sen Susan Collins (R-Maine) has expressed support for keeping the net neutrality rules, warning that the FCC’s moves could be “anti-competitive” in a “way that limits consumers’ choices.” But overall, Pai’s plan has broad support among congressional Republicans, who appear unlikely to support any legislation keeping some form of net neutrality in place. The GOP has urged Democrats to collaborate on a legislative replacement to the rules, but Democrats don’t think that proposals Republicans have floated privately are substantive enough.