Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-AL), member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, issued the following statement after voting for H.R. 1644, the Save the Internet Act, which would restore net neutrality protections, safeguard consumers and small businesses, and prevent internet service providers (ISPs) from blocking content, throttling internet speeds, or prioritizing the content you consume on the internet. The Save the Internet Act passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 232-190.

“Ensuring a free and open internet is critical to protecting consumers, unleashing market innovation, and ensuring that small businesses and rural communities have the tools to thrive in a digital economy. Once the FCC repealed the Open-Internet Order, thousands of Delawareans reached out to me and expressed support for net neutrality – fearing that their ISP would throttle, block, or prioritize certain content. Unfortunately, that is just what the ISPs have done since its repeal,” said Congresswoman Blunt Rochester. “By passing the Save the Internet Act, our aim is to reestablish a watchdog over ISPs, unlock American entrepreneurship, and protect the future of our internet. I was proud to vote for this important bill and echo the voices of thousands throughout the First State. I call on my Senate colleagues to swiftly bring the Save the Internet Act to a vote so that we can protect the net for millions across the country.”

The bicameral Save the Internet Act creates popular, bipartisan and targeted net neutrality protections, and codifies the FCC’s 2015 Open Internet Order similar to last year’s Congressional Review Act that passed the Senate and had bipartisan support in the House:

• Strengthening transparency protections, enacting specific rules against blocking, throttling and paid prioritization, and empowering the FCC to investigate consumer and business complaints and fine internet service providers for violations of the Communications Act;
• Protecting consumers against unjust, unreasonable, and discriminatory practices, and promoting competition;
• Ensuring consumers can make informed decisions when shopping for internet plans; and
• Restoring the FCC’s authority to fund broadband access for rural communities, working Americans, veterans, seniors, students and disabled Americans.

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