House Schedules Markup of Save the Internet Act

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.  

John Eggerton

Contributing editor John Eggerton has been an editor and/or writer on media regulation, legislation and policy for over four decades, including covering the FCC, FTC, Congress, the major media trade associations, and the federal courts. In addition to Multichannel News and Broadcasting + Cable, his work has appeared in Radio World, TV Technology, TV Fax, This Week in Consumer Electronics, Variety and the Encyclopedia Britannica.