The House Communications Subcommittee has taken the first step toward trying to pass legislation restoring the 2015 Open Internet Order's net neutrality rules.
It has scheduled a markup of the Save the Internet Act (HR 1644) for March 26 at 10 a.m., which is the committee's consideration of the legislation and possible amendments.
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The bill would restore the Title II-based rules against blocking, throttling and paid prioritization, as well as a "general conduct standard" that subcommittee Democrats say empowers the FCC "to prohibit unjust, unreasonable and discriminatory practices."
“The Save the Internet Act restores critical net neutrality protections and puts a cop back on the beat at the FCC to defend consumers against abusive and discriminatory practices by internet service providers,” said House Energy & Commerce Committee Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) and Subcommittee Chairman Mike Doyle (D-Pa.). “We look forward to considering this legislation in the Subcommittee and bringing a free and open internet back to the American people.”
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The likely course of the bill is that it will pass out of subcommittee and committee on a party line vote, then pass the House, perhaps with a Republican of three, then get caught up in the Republican-controlled Senate.
