Press Releases

Statement on House Communications and Technology Subcommittee passage of the Save the Internet Act (HR 1644)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 26, 2019
Contact: Mark Stanley, [email protected], 202.681.7582

The following statement can be attributed to Demand Progress Communications Director Mark Stanley:

“We thank the members of the House Communications and Technology Subcommittee who voted to pass a clean version of the Save the Internet Act, while fending off the telecom lobby’s efforts to weaken it. Because of today’s vote, folks living in rural areas are one step closer to having rules that ensure greater broadband access and a truly open internet. Small businesses are closer to having protections in place that guarantee they can compete and innovate online, without having to pay extra fees to internet service providers. And all Americans are closer to having their abilities to organize, communicate, and access the information and services they need safeguarded against corporate gatekeeping.

“Under Chairman Ajit Pai, the FCC gutted commonsense net neutrality protections supported by the vast majority of Americans. Those rules prevented blocking, throttling, paid prioritization, and discriminatory practices by internet service providers. Today, Congress has wisely placed the interests of their constituents ahead of the demands of well-funded lobbyists and taken an important step towards reversing Ajit Pai’s undemocratic corporate giveaway.

“The grassroots, which have been vital in the push for strong net neutrality, will continue to mobilize and unequivocally demand all members, regardless of party, do what’s right and support this bill to restore open internet protections, including in the upcoming full committee and House floor votes.”

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