Anti-net neutrality bill defeated in Senate

On Thursday, the Senate defeated SJ Res 6. The bill would have overturned the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) net neutrality decision. (For some background on this bill, see the Legislative Panel blog post.)

Thank you to everyone who contacted our Senators asking them to oppose this bill! Senators Mikulski and Cardin both voted against the bill. Please take a moment to thank them for their support of net neutrality. You can do this using Capwiz.

 

Action Alert! Ask Senators to vote NO on overturning net neutrality order

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11/11/2011 Update: SJ Res 6, the anit-net neutrality bill, was defeated in the Senate yesterday. For details, please see the Legislative Panel blog posting.

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This week, the Senate will be voting on Senate Joint Resolution 6 (SJ Res 6) to overturn the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) order that was passed to adopt net neutrality. The American Library Association Washington Office (ALA-WO) is asking people to call their Senators and ask them to vote NO on SJ Res 6. The message is that libraries depend on an open and non-discriminatory Internet to provide the public with unfettered access to information. For more talking points, please see the Capwiz Action Alert. You can call Senator Mikulski at 202-224-4654 and Senator Cardin at 202-224-4524.

In April, the House passed a similar resolution to overturn net neutrality—House Joint Resolution 47 (HJ Res 47). For more information on HJ Res 47, see the Legislative Panel blog post. For more of the previous updates on net neutrality, see the Legislative Panel blog posts.

Thanks in advance for any advocacy efforts!

House approves measure to overturn FCC net neutrality rules

On Friday, the House voted 240-179 in favor of a resolution (HJ Res 37) of disapproval that would overturn the net neutrality rules of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that prohibit Internet service providers from blocking or slowing web sites on their networks.  The resolution was largely supported by House Republicans, who believe that the FCC is overstepping its authority and hindering business with the net neutrality rules.  However, net neutrality supporters, including the American Library Association, fear that repealing the net neutrality rules would allow Internet service providers to give preferential treatment to select companies. 

In Maryland, votes fell along party lines with Bartlett and Harris voting in favor of the bill to overturn the net neutrality rules.  Cummings, Edwards, Hoyer, Ruppersberger, Sarbanes and Van Hollen opposed the resolution.

In order for the FCC net neutrality rules to be overturned, the resolution would need to pass in the Senate and be signed by President Obama.  Obama has indicated through the Office of Management and Budget that he would oppose any such measure.

Net Neutrality Update

Last week, a number of things happened regarding net neutrality.  A District Dispatch posting provides more details and links to additional information on the following:

• Amendment to FY2012 bill passed – This amendment introduced by Senator Walden (R-OR) would prevent the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from using federal funds to implement its net neutrality order.  This amendment was included in the FY2012 bill that passed in the House and is heading to the Senate.
• Hearings held – The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, as well as the House Judiciary’s Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, Competition and the Internet, held hearings on net neutrality.  Video or written documentation is now available.
• Letters of opposition – The American Library Association (ALA), Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and EDUCAUSE submitted a letter opposing any attempt to eliminate the FCC’s recent net neutrality rules.  Other letters of opposition from a diverse group of organizations were also submitted and are available for viewing.
• Joint Resolution – House and Senate Republicans issued joint resolutions (SJ Res 6 and HJ Res 37) disapproving of the recent net neutrality order approved by the FCC.

It is unclear what will happen with net neutrality in the Senate.

This District Dispatch posting also includes a link to a complete list of activity in the 112^th Congress dealing with net neutrality.

ALA files letter in support of net neutrality & FCC

The American Library Association (ALA) and its allies, the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and Educause, have sent a letter to members of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce to share their opposition to any attempts to remove the net neutrality ruling by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC).  For a link to the letter, see the District Dispatch posting.  The posting also includes links to written testimony of one hearing and a webcast of the other hearing.

Open Internet, Net Neutrality rules at risk

There is movement in the House to strip the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of its authority over the Internet and repeal the net neutrality rules that protect the Open Internet, possibly using the Congressional Review Act.  Two House Committees will be holding hearings on net neutrality this week:  Energy and Commerce (“Communications and Technology Subcommittee to Examine Network Neutrality and Internet Regulation” and Judiciary (“Ensuring Competition on the Internet: Net Neutrality and Antitrust”).

The American Library Association (ALA) Washington Office is currently working with its allies, the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and Educause, to submit a letter to the House Energy & Commerce subcommittee members expressing concerns.  In the future, there will be a need for grassroots advocacy.  Updates will be posted, as more details become available.

Here are some sources of additional background information:

• Public Knowledge blog
• Politico news story
• Legislative Panel blog – This old posting provides a link to an April 2010 article that discussed the Federal court’s ruling that the FCC has no authority over net neutrality.

ALA releases summary of Net Neutrality order

The American Library Association (ALA) Washington Office released a summary of the Net Neutrality order issued last month by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).  The summary also includes concerns about the new order.

Companies are also reacting to the new Net Neutrality order.  A blog article from the Washington Post discusses the corporate side of this subject.

FCC issues new order on Net Neutrality, still concerns for libraries

On Tuesday, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) passed a new order on net neutrality.  The press release and Report and Order are available online.

There are a number of concerns, most notably that libraries will be considered consumers and may not be able to ensure that web content can be equally accessed and also that none of the rules apply to wireless access.  For more information, see the District Dispatch posting and an article from The Daily Beast.

ALA submits concerns on proposed net neutrality order to FCC

The American Library Association (ALA), along with the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and EDUCAUSE, has sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) sharing concerns that the proposed net neutrality order does not provide adequate protections for library and higher education services for the public.  For a list of specific concerns, please see the District Dispatch posting.

E-rate changes take effect in 30 days

The American Library Association (ALA) Washington Office stated in the District Dispatch today:

 “The Sixth Report and Order on the E-rate program was published in today’s Federal Register. The publication of the Order means that the changes to the E-rate program that were voted on by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in September will be effective thirty days after today, or January 3, 2011. ALA continues to work with the FCC to ensure that clear guidance be developed so that library applicants will clearly understand their options and obligations under the program.”