FCC Net Neutrality Rules Under Attack From GOP
Net neutrality rules created by the Federal Communications Commission are the next target for House Republicans. The new net neutrality rules prevent ISPs from charging more money for higher rates of speed or discriminating against customers by slowing down their connections. Net neutrality would be neutralized if a Republican amendment cutting off FCC funding makes it into an essential bill that funds the government. This may help the millions of people who take out payday loans every month just to pay their internet bill.
Net neutrality and the federal spending budget
The FCC will not be able to start new net neutrality rules because of a vote in the House. The House approved an amendment to a bill that will help, until the end of the 2011 fiscal year in June, fund the government. In order to help out Comcast, AT&T, Verizon and some other industries that control the U.S. Internet, the amendment was passed to stop FCC net neutrality rules. Political analysts doubt whether the net neutrality amendment, as well as other Republican measures to defund programs they do not like, will survive the legislative process. It can be really hard for Obama to veto the amendment if it is part of the budget bill that the government needs for funds.
Concerns over net neutrality shown in politics
The net neutrality put out by the FCC is supported by President Obama. The Senate Democrats support it also. In Dec., the Democratic House passed the rules. Then, in hopes that the GOP would change to Republican in the new year, U.S. Senate Republicans stalled the measure. Senate Democrats, who nevertheless hold the majority, are adamant that they won’t address the Republican net neutrality defunding amendment. There will not be a funding bill for the government anymore if things don’t get going though. March 4 is when the current one expires. The federal government has to shut down unless a new spending bill is made.
What you need to know about net neutrality
New net neutrality rules are being considered because a few major businesses control Internet access for most Americans. In order to keep the quality of service low and the rates high, several suspect the businesses are working together. The Internet service providers would not be able to throttle internet connection to any person, no matter what, with the new FCC rules. This would hopefully create more competition.
Information from
Wall Street Journal
online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20110217-718244.html
Politico
politico.com/news/stories/0211/49754.html
Daily Tech
dailytech.com/US+House+Votes+to+Allow+Cable+Providers+to+Throttle+Internet/article20947.htm
