Washington’s political leadership made moves Tuesday to overturn the Federal Communications Commission decision that rescinds net neutrality regulations.
First, Attorney General Bob Ferguson filed a petition to appeal the FCC’s decision. One hour later, Senate Democrats announced they have the votes to approve legislation to overturn the FCC’s vote.
The FCC rescinded the Obama-era rules Dec. 14 in a 3-to-2 vote. The rules prevented internet service providers from throttling speeds based on website content.
Washington’s Attorney General joined 20 other states and the District of Columbia in filing the petition with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.
“Allowing powerful special interests to act as the internet’s gatekeepers harms consumers, innovation and small businesses,” Ferguson said in a press release. “We believe the FCC acted unlawfully when it gutted net neutrality, and I look forward to holding the FCC accountable to the rule of law.”
Ferguson and his AG counterparts allege the FCC decision violates the Administrative Procedure Act, an act that governs the federal agency rule-making process.
“Protecting net neutrality is as critical as protecting free speech,” Gov. Jay Inslee said in a press release. “The FCC’s attack on the open internet is bad for Washingtonians, bad for business and a major step backward. I’m glad that Washington is leading the fight against the FCC’s kowtow to corporate lobbyists and continuing the fight for net neutrality.”
Senate push
Washington Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell say the entire Senate Democratic caucus is co-sponsoring a bill to reverse the FCC’s vote.
Republican Sen. Susan Collins has also pledged support, meaning only one more Republican vote is needed to pass the legislation in the Senate.
“It’s time for our Republican colleagues to decide whether they stand with big corporations who are trying to slow down innovation and job creation or stand on the side of consumers and the businesses and innovators of our future, Cantwell said in a press release. “We cannot allow the FCC to put a choke hold on the internet by allowing big corporations to create artificial fast lanes or charge consumers more. The open internet rule was created to protect a level playing field and to make sure no one can throttle access or block content.”
The reversal is possible thanks to the Congressional Review Act which allows federal lawmakers to overturn agency decisions within 60 days. A simple majority in both houses is required.
The Democratic caucus expects to force a vote on the bill later this year, likely making it a midterm campaign issue. But it still needs to pass the Republican-held House and requires the signature of President Donald Trump before it takes effect.
“The FCC’s backward decision to roll back internet protections for consumers is as shameful and wrong today as it was last December,” Murray said in a press release. “Washington state families, students, innovators and entrepreneurs have continuously raised their voices against the Trump Administration’s repeated attempts to turn public goods into more money-making opportunities for the largest corporations, and the FCC’s vote to change the internet as we know it is no exception. As a voice for Washington state, I will continue fighting with every tool at my disposal to keep the internet free and open.”
