WASHINGTON — Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, issued the following statement applauding the Federal Communications Commission’s vote to end Trump-era attacks on net neutrality and reestablish open internet protections:
“I am thrilled to see Chair Rosenworcel and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will use their power to undo the harm caused by the Trump administration and reinstate the 2015 Open Internet Order.
“That 2015 order enshrined the policy of ‘net neutrality’ into law and prevented large corporate internet service providers from throttling internet speeds, favoring or blocking certain types of online content, or engaging in other types of anti-competitive behavior. The Trump-era decision to overturn those protections left online consumers at the mercy of special and corporate interests and allowed wealthy corporations to consolidate power. In the years since, internet companies have rigged access to what has become a fundamental public utility with pay-to-play schemes.
“The reestablishment net neutrality fulfills long standing progressive policy objectives, including in our CPC Executive Action Agenda. Americans have a right to a free, open internet. They have a right to net neutrality. Those rights will finally be restored.”
The Congressional Progressive Caucus was one of the first voices to call for Title II reclassification and strong enforceable net neutrality protections in 2014. The passage of the 2015 Save the Net Act was the culmination of a years-long Congressional campaign spearheaded by the Progressive Caucus in solidarity with activists, organizers, innovators, small business owners, and everyday families.
