The US Senate approved a resolution that aims to undo the FCC's deregulation of internet services, the Washington Post reports. The symbolic move was led by the Democrats, with the support of three Republican Senators. However, the Republican-led House of Representatives is unlikely to take up the measure.
The FCC approved in December the relaxation of net neutrality rules passed under the Obama administration, allowing much of the control to pass to the FTC under existing consumer protection regulation. The changes are set to take effect 11 June.
Senate supporters of the net neutrality rules put forward the legislation under the Congressional Review Act, which permits Congress to revisit decisions by administrative agencies within a certain window of their approval. The resolution passed with the backing of all 49 Democratic senators and three Republicans: Susan Collins of Maine, John N. Kennedy of Louisiana and Lisa A. Murkowski of Alaska.
FCC chairman Ajit Pai said he was disappointed by the Senate vote. "But ultimately, I'm confident that their effort to reinstate heavy-handed government regulation of the Internet will fail," he said in a statement. His reform efforts have previously had support from President Donald Trump, who would need to sign the resolution before it could take effect, in addition to the House approval.
The resolution was not supported by major telecom industry groups, as they do not appreciate the FCC's attempt to extend its regulatory powers to the broadband market. The CTIA, USTelecom and the NCTA earlier sent a joint letter to senators asking them to vote against the measure. They would prefer to see Congress pass bipartisan legislation on net neutrality, including addressing internet privacy issues.
The Democrats, who see net neutrality as a key issue in the mid-term Congressional elections later this year, announced they would still try to bring the Senate resolution to the House floor. Congressman Mike Doyle said he would start a discharge petition, a measure that if signed by the majority of House members, requires a piece of legislation to be put to a vote.
