WASHINGTON — Congressional Democrats are pushing to reverse the rollback of Obama-era net neutrality regulations.
Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., joined minority leaders in the House and Senate on the Capitol lawn on a sunny Tuesday to tout an effort to block the new rules, which the Federal Communications Commission approved late last year.
The new FCC policy, effectively deregulating the internet, is set to go into effect April 23.
Democrats argue that repealing the 2015 rules, which were intended to ensure equal access to the internet for all users, will lead to internet service providers offering tiered services based on customers’ ability and willingness to pay.
The deregulatory move was spearheaded by FCC Chair Ajit Pai, who has said his proposal will put an end to federal government “micromanaging” of the internet. Proponents say that lifting the Obama-era rules will drive competition and encourage expansion of internet services into underserved areas.
Democrats are seeking to make use of the Congressional Review Act, which allows Congress to prevent rules issued by federal agencies from taking effect.
Welch, a co-sponsor of the legislation in the House, said in an interview that he believes there is support to pass the measure, and that there is widespread support in the public for the net neutrality regulations. The FCC has “gone roughshod” on net neutrality, he said.
“This was a partisan vote by an FCC commissioner who essentially adopted an agenda to dismantle everything that happened in the Obama years and this was one of his big trophies, getting rid of net neutrality,” he said.
There is widespread opposition to the FCC decision at the state level, including in Vermont.
The Vermont Legislature is considering two measures to preserve net neutrality locally. Gov. Phil Scott issued an executive order earlier this month that requires internet service providers who contract with the state to comply with net neutrality standards. And the Vermont attorney general has signed onto a lawsuit challenging the rules in court.
Welch said states are “leading the way” on the issue but they are constrained to some extent by federal powers to pre-empt state laws. The answer, Welch said, is uniform national regulations.
“You need a federal policy that protects everybody everywhere, and that’s why we have to act,” he said.
At the press conference, Democratic lawmakers warned that under the new FCC regulations customers willing to pay more may get faster service, but internet service providers also will be able to slow access to websites and businesses that aren’t willing to pay a fee.
Sen. Jean Shaheen, D-N.H., said she believes people and businesses in rural areas will be hard hit by the new policies, because customers often do not have multiple providers to choose from.
“It’s hard enough for small retailers to compete online with retail giants,” Shaheen said. “We don’t need big cable and phone companies teaming up with big retailers to discriminate against small businesses.”
Under the Congressional Review Act, rules issued by federal agencies can be blocked if both chambers pass a resolution of disapproval of the new regulation. Lawmakers only have a 60-day window in which to act.
In the Senate, the measure is just one vote shy of passing.
Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., who held a hearing on this issue in Vermont in 2014 when he was chair of the Judiciary Committee, said in an interview that there is nearly enough support in the Senate to pass it.
The resolution has support from 50 members — all 49 members of the Democratic caucus, including both Vermont senators, as well as Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, according to the minority leadership.
“We’ve got to have somebody else that’s got the guts to stand up,” Leahy said.
The odds are greater in the House, where the resolution has 150 supporters — far fewer than the required majority of 218.
At the press conference, Welch called on House Speaker Paul Ryan to allow the issue to come up for a vote.
“You’re against net neutrality, fine. We’re for net neutrality,” Welch said. “Let’s have a vote so you know where every single member of Congress in this country stands on your right to open internet access.”
