By MICHELE F. MIHALJEVICH

Indiana Correspondent

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A move by U.S. Senate Democrats to end the repeal of net neutrality may not have similar support in the House, according to an official with the Center for Rural Affairs (CFRA).

Last week, the Senate voted 52-47 to stop the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from ending net neutrality rules; the repeal is set to take effect June 11. All Democrats and three Republicans voted for the resolution.

The May 16 action occurred after Senate Democrats used the Congressional Review Act to force the vote. The act allows Congress to review – and veto – decisions made by federal agencies within a specified time after approval.

Net neutrality is the regulation that says internet users should have equal access to all content regardless of source. In December 2017, the FCC announced it would repeal net neutrality for internet providers, a move it has called the first step toward restoring online freedom and choice.

The FCC’s move reversed the agency’s 2015 decision to reclassify fixed and mobile broadband as telecommunications services. The reclassification meant internet service providers (ISP) were subject to the same regulations as landline and mobile telephone services.

The decision included rules against the blocking of lawful content, the slowing or speeding of specific applications or services and the paying of fees to ISPs for favored treatment.

That both parties voted for the resolution shows it had a broad level of support, said Johnathan Hladik, CFRA policy director. “When we first heard about this attempt, we didn’t anticipate the resolution would pass,” he said. “There’s a very partisan atmosphere in Congress. We were pleasantly surprised when it happened.”

A repeal of net neutrality could hurt new technologies in everything from farming to medicine, he said.

“There are emerging technologies, a myriad of opportunities for technologies to advance and improve quality of life. If they don’t have the opportunity to take off, it can be frustrating.”

Hladik said he isn’t sure what might happen in the House. “Chances in the House are very low. I’m not sure if there will be a vote.”

The day after the Senate vote, Rep. Mike Doyle (D-Pa.) said he had filed a petition requiring a House vote on legislation he introduced earlier this year to save net neutrality. A vote would occur if a majority of House members sign the petition.

Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) urged House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) to take up the issue. “House Republicans don’t have to choose the same path that the vast majority of Republicans in the Senate chose. The American people have spoken. Speaker Ryan should listen.”

Ryan has said he supports the FCC’s decision to repeal net neutrality.

Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) voted against the resolution, saying he prefers legislation that would allow Congress to establish internet rules.

“I support a law to protect consumers and secure an open internet, not a partisan regulatory process at the FCC that can be easily changed from administration to administration. Regardless of whether the FCC is chaired by a Republican or Democrat, Congress should set the rules for the internet and act on legislation that would prevent blocking, throttling and paid prioritization of internet traffic.”

FCC Chair Ajit Pai said he was disappointed Senate Democrats voted on the issue.

“Ultimately, I’m confident that their effort to reinstate heavy-handed government regulation of the internet will fail. Our approach will help promote digital opportunity – that is, making high-speed internet access available to every single American so that they can be participants in, rather than spectators of, our digital economy.”