Washington (December 18, 2014) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Congresswoman Anna G. Eshoo (D-Calif.), along with 37 Senate and House Democrats, today called on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to use its authority immediately to prevent broadband providers from engaging in discriminatory practices and enshrine net neutrality by reclassifying broadband Internet access under Title II of the Communications Act. The lawmakers point out in the letter that it’s been nearly a year since the FCC’s net neutrality rules were invalidated by the D.C. Circuit Court and urge the Commission to act now to finalize new rules.

“We believe the way to achieve a free and open Internet is to reclassify broadband as a telecommunications service under Title II of the Communications Act, with appropriate forbearance.  As you know, President Obama recently joined us in urging this action,” write the lawmakers in the letter to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler.  

“Everyone has spoken; now is the time for action.  We urge you to act without delay to finalize rules that keep the Internet free and open for business.” 

In addition to Senator Markey and Congresswoman Eshoo, the letter is signed by Senators Al Franken, Ron Wyden, Richard Blumenthal, Tammy Baldwin, Cory Booker, Carl Levin, Bernie Sanders, Barbara Boxer, Ben Cardin, Elizabeth Warren, Jeff Merkley, and Representatives Henry Waxman, Zoe Lofgren, Michael Doyle, Barbara Lee, John Lewis, Michael Capuano, Chellie Pingree, Betty McCollum, Suzanne Bonamici, Tim Ryan, Mark Takano, Mike Honda, Earl Blumenauer, Jared Polis, Jared Huffman, Jim McGovern, Jan Schakowsky, Louise Slaughter, Niki Tsongas, Sam Farr, Keith Ellison, Raul Grijalva, John Conyers. Peter DeFazio, John Sarbanes and Eric Swalwell. 

In July, Senator Markey and 12 Senate Democrats called on the FCC to protect the openness and freedom of the Internet by reclassifying broadband Internet access as a service under Title II of the Telecommunications Act.  In October, Congresswoman Eshoo called on the FCC to adopt a robust, enforceable set of open Internet rules using a ‘light-touch’ Title II approach.

Text of the letter can be found below or HERE. 

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