Bloomberg Law: House Democrats to Spotlight Net Neutrality, Broadband Access

House Democrats are likely to champion a telecom agenda at odds with Republican policies in the next Congress, including reinstating Obama-era net neutrality rules.

Democrats also may try to shield media ownership regulations and Federal Communications Commission programs aimed at helping low-income consumers afford their phone bills.

“We plan to put the consumer first by pushing policies that protect net neutrality, promote public safety, and provide meaningful privacy and data security protections that are seriously lacking today,” Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), the likely next chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said in a statement before the election.

Democrats may advance legislation through the House to restore net neutrality rules that were repealed by the FCC under Chairman Ajit Pai in December 2017. Passing a net neutrality bill through the House most likely would be a symbolic victory for Democrats because it would have little chance of clearing the GOP-controlled Senate or being signed by President Donald Trump, Blair Levin, a former Democratic FCC official, told Bloomberg Law in an interview.

More at Bloomberg Law.