05.16.18

Senate Votes to Protect Net Neutrality, Cantwell Calls for House to Take Action

Washington, D.C. – Today, the United States Senate passed a Congressional Review Act resolution backed by U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) preserving net neutrality protections for a free and open internet.

“The Senate, in bipartisan fashion today, took the first step forward in preserving the strong internet economy that is seven percent of our GDP, but thirteen percent of the Northwest economy,” said Senator Cantwell. “So I’m pretty sure I heard a pretty loud cheer go up in Seattle.”

The bipartisan resolution passed the Senate by a vote of 52-47 and now moves on to the House of Representatives for consideration.

“We’re doing that because we want to protect what are those strong economies from the artificial slowing down of the internet,” said Senator Cantwell. “That’s why we want the House to act – to protect the American economy.”

In her remarks after the vote, Senator Cantwell also called on President Trump and his administration to support congressional efforts to protect the free and open internet for all Americans.

“There are people within the administration – Earl Comstock – who is also saying that he would like to see the Trump Administration get behind this,” Senator Cantwell said. “So would I.”

Last week, Senator Cantwell officially filed a discharge petition to force today’s vote on net neutrality and block the FCC’s partisan repeal of the 2015 Open Internet Rule, which prevents internet service providers from blocking, slowing down, or discriminating against online content. A recent poll showed that 83% of Americans oppose the FCC’s action to repeal net neutrality rules.

CRA resolutions allow Congress to overturn regulatory actions taken by federal agencies with a simple majority vote in both chambers.

The broadcast quality video of Senator Cantwell’s press conference can be found HERE.

The video can also be found on YouTube HERE.

A full transcript of Senator Cantwell’s remarks can be found below:

CANTWELL: Thank you. It’s great to be with here with Leader Pelosi and Leader Schumer, and my colleagues from the House of Representatives.

The Senate, in bipartisan fashion today, took the first step forward in preserving the strong internet economy that is seven percent of our GDP, but thirteen percent of the Northwest economy. So I’m pretty sure I heard a pretty loud cheer go up in Seattle.

We’re doing that because we want to protect what are those strong economies from the artificial slowing down of the internet. But I’m pretty sure our House colleagues are going to side with big cable companies who are hoping that the public did not notice that the Trump-era FCC rolled back strong internet protections. That is why we need the House to take action, to protect the consumers and businesses that will be affected by all of this, and to protect that strong innovation economy.

I know people think that highest pricing, or pricing at the highest bidder, well it might work at Christie’s if you’re having an art auction, but it certainly doesn’t work when you are trying to cover a network of internet service and you want essential service for hospitals and educators and small businesses. That’s why we want the House to act – to protect the American economy.

I will also note, while some people want to know how this bill is going to move forward, there are people within the administration – Earl Comstock – who is also saying that he would like to see the Trump Administration get behind this. So would I.

Thank you, and now I turn it over to my dear colleague, who also fights for the strong internet economy that we so care about on the Northwest and in California, Representative Anna Eshoo.

###