Dem-Controlled FCC Moves Closer Toward Restoring Net Neutrality

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) took a major step toward finalizing the restoration of net neutrality on Thursday.

Net neutrality rules force internet service providers to enable access to all websites and content providers at equal rates and speeds, regardless of their size or content. Democrats now outnumber Republicans on the FCC, and the commission voted in favor of a notice of proposed rulemaking Thursday at the meeting.

The FCC established net neutrality rules in 2015 but repealed them in December 2017. Proponents of net neutrality predicted widespread blocking or throttling of content by internet service providers would result from the repeal; however, that did not transpire.

“We don’t exist in a world where there [are] no net neutrality policies,” Democratic FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel told The Washington Post. “We have it emerging from state capitals. But … in a modern digital economy, it’s time for us to have a national standard, and not just a patchwork of state approaches.”