GOP utilizes spending budget bill in attempt to kill net neutrality

Net neutrality rules created by the Federal Communications Commission are the next target for House Republicans. The FCC seeks to put into action rules preventing Internet service providers from discriminating against content providers and customers via diverse fees and connection speeds. The House passed an amendment to a spending bill that would cut off money the FCC would spend to enforce net neutrality rules. This could help the millions of people who take out payday advance loans every month just to pay their internet bill.

What net neutrality would do for the spending budget on a federal level

In an attempt to keep the FCC from implementing new net neutrality rules, the Republican-controlled House approved an amendment to a budget bill needed to fund the government to the end of the 2011 fiscal year in June. Net neutrality was stopped at the FCC with this bill. It was a way of helping out corporations that control U.S. Internet access for instance Verizon, AT&T and Comcast. The legislation process might not go so well though for the net neutrality amendment. It will be really hard for Obama to veto the amendment if it’s part of the spending budget bill the government needs for funds.

Politics and net neutrality

Senate Democrats and Obama strongly support the FCC net neutrality rules. In Dec., the Democratic House passed the rules. Then, in hopes that the GOP would change to Republican in the new year, U.S. Senate Republicans stalled the measure. Senate Democrats, who still hold the majority, are adamant that they won’t address the Republican net neutrality defunding amendment. On March 4, the government funding bill that is currently there will disappear. It’s vital that a new spending bill be created. Otherwise, the government will have to stop every little thing.

What you should learn about net neutrality

New net neutrality rules are being considered because a few major companies control Internet access for most Americans. In order to keep the quality of service low and the rates high, many suspect the businesses are working together. The FCC hopes to encourage more competition in the Internet service provider sector by preventing major Internet service providers from charging web sites for faster access and throttling Internet connections for content providers and customers who don’t pay additional.

Citations

Wall Street Journal

online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20110217-718244.html

Politico

politico.com/news/stories/0211/49754.html

Daily Tech

dailytech.com/US+House+Votes+to+Allow+Cable+Providers+to+Throttle+Internet/article20947.htm