U.S. Senator Says Vote May Overrule Net Neutrality Repeal
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin calls on Congress from U of I to support a Congressional Review Act Resolution and override an FCC vote to repeal net neutrality rules. Daniel Baker - Illinois Public Media
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D) says the Senate is scheduled to vote in two weeks on the future of net neutrality.
A joint resolution, if passed by both the Senate and the House, would overrule a Federal Communications Commission vote last December to repeal net neutrality rules.
The Illinois democrat says if FCC commissioners under President Trump get their way, internet users may end up with slower service--and limited access--unless they pay more. He says that’s not right.
“We believe that net neutrality, access—open free access to the internet is critical, not only to our democracy, but also to building our economy,” said Senator Durbin.
He compared the importance of reliable Internet access today to what it was like for U.S. farmers to get reliable electricity 80 years ago.
Durbin says running electricity to farmhouses at the time was not profitable, but the government decided to help, so farmers could get what they needed.
“The government stepped in and said, this is important for our nation, that everybody be connected," said.
He says supporters of net neutrality are currently just one vote shy of victory in the Senate.
He says their measure has the support of all 49 Democrats and Independents in the Senate, and one Republican. It would also need approval in the House.
Durbin’s comments came during a news conference at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign calling on congress to reinstitute 2015's Open Internet Order.