In 2006, Senators Markey and Wyden introduced the first neutrality bills in the House of Representatives and Senate, respectively

Washington (April 25, 2024) - Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), today issued the following statement after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to approve its rule reclassifying broadband as a telecommunications service under Title II of the Communications Act and reinstating net neutrality protections.

“Net neutrality is simple; it’s about nondiscrimination. Net neutrality ensures that anyone can use the internet without being blocked or obstructed by gatekeepers. Net neutrality protects dreamers in garages, small businesses, and budding entrepreneurs from being shoved into online slow lanes. Net neutrality ensures advocates, activists, and organizers can freely speak their minds and voice their views. Net neutrality ensures the internet remains a democratic space where commerce and communication can thrive. With this vote, the Commission has finally restored the country’s expert communications regulator, the FCC, the tools needed to oversee the preeminent communication tool of our time: broadband.

“We started this fight for net neutrality more than 17 years ago. Despite the efforts of greedy internet service providers and big telecommunications corporations, we are delivering on the opportunity, accessibility, affordability, and empowerment that are the hallmarks of a free and open internet. We thank Chairwoman Rosenworcel, Commissioner Starks, Commissioner Gomez, their staff, and all the advocates who have kept this issue front-and-center. We look forward to continuing to work with the Commission to ensure a just broadband future for all.”

On April 2, Senators Markey and Wyden, along with Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), sent a letter to FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel urging the FCC to finalize a strong net neutrality rule. In September 2023, Senators Markey and Wyden led 25 of their Senate colleagues in writing to the FCC urging it to reclassify broadband as a telecommunications service under Title II of the Communications Act and restore net neutrality protections. Senators Markey and Wyden previously introduced the Net Neutrality and Broadband Justice Act, which would accurately classify broadband as a telecommunications service under Title II of the Communications Act.

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