Senate Democrats announced today that they have reached 40 co-sponsors for a bill that would effectively nullify the FCC’s devastating vote to kill Net Neutrality just a few weeks ago.
Achieving their quorum of senators to sign onto the bill will now force a vote on the floor. Of course, Dems face the monumental hurdles of getting it through a simple-majority vote (probably impossible), openly open-internet hostile House Republicans (not gonna happen), and Trump’s desk (after all, he’ll sign—or veto—anything they put in front of him!).
So yeah … they’re definitely-for-sure-without-a-doubt going to lose this one.
But today, Net Neutrality advocates are calling it a win-win anyway, and here’s why:
1. Senate Dems can use the midterms as leverage to woo Republican senators into supporting the bill: It’s already worked with Senator Susan Collins (R-ME). A spokesperson for the Senator said Collins “believes that a careful, deliberative process involving experts and the public is warranted to ensure that consumers have strong protections that guarantee consumer choice, free markets and continued growth.” Now Senate Dems only need one more Republican to make their simple majority. Of course, getting it through the House is another story. BUT...
2. Senators will now have to go on record to take a political stance on the issue: And in doing so, are setting themselves up for public scrutiny come election time. “There will be a political price to pay for those who are on the wrong side of history,” said Senator Ed Markey (D-MA), who introduced the resolution. Polls have shown that the majority of people (of both parties) favor keeping Net Neutrality in place—they’ll be voting come November. AND...
3. Net Neutrality is officially on the table for the midterm elections: Democrats have made Net Neutrality a campaign issue. This means potentially more money from Net Neutrality supporters flowing into candidates’ campaigns (unfortunately, probably not as much as the big telecoms can sink into them). But it also may mean more pro-internet candidates on local and state levels running for office on a Net Neutrality platform—advocating for municipal broadband, protecting consumer interests, and preserving internet freedom in their communities.