In Case You Missed It: Shaheen, Hassan-Backed Resolution to Overturn Net Neutrality Repeal Gains Bipartisan Support

**Bipartisan Resolution has the support needed to get a vote and continues to gain momentum**

(Washington, DC) -- A Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution of disapproval co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) to undo the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) anti-consumer regulations and restore net neutrality rules now has more than 40 co-sponsors, as well as the backing of Republican Senator Susan Collins (R-ME). This type of resolution requires the support of 30 senators to be sent to the Senate floor for a vote and a simple majority is needed for its passage.

“Net neutrality rules are essential to protect consumers from discriminatory practices online and to ensure small businesses, like those in New Hampshire, are competing on a level playing field,” said Senator Shaheen. “This resolution has gained bipartisan support and would reinstate net neutrality rules so Granite Staters – whether living in rural communities or cities – always have access to a free and open internet.”

“The momentum to protect net neutrality is growing, and we will not stop fighting until we reverse the FCC’s rollback of critical net neutrality protections, a rollback which hurts the American people, our innovative small businesses, and our economy,” said Senator Hassan. “I will keep working to advance priorities that put the interests of consumers first, that help our small businesses thrive, and that support a free and open internet.”

Last month, the FCC voted to repeal the 2015 Open Internet Order, which the D.C. Circuit Court upheld in 2016. The Open Internet Order prohibited internet service providers from blocking, slowing down, or discriminating against content online. Repealing the net neutrality rules could lead to higher prices for consumers, slower internet traffic, and even blocked websites. A recent poll showed that 83 percent of Americans do not approve of the FCC action to repeal net neutrality rules.

Both Senators Shaheen and Hassan have repeatedly expressed concern that repealing net neutrality rules will eliminate equal access to an open and free internet and harm rural communities, small businesses, and consumers. The senators joined with Congresswomen Carol Shea-Porter (NH-01) and Annie Kuster (NH-02) in a letter last month, urging New Hampshire Attorney General Gordon MacDonald to join other states across the country in a lawsuit to protect net neutrality rules. Just last week, Senator Shaheen held a roundtable discussion with small business owners in Keene on the repeal of net neutrality protections.

Senators co-sponsoring the CRA resolution include Ed Markey (D-MA), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Maria Cantwell (D-WA) Brian Schatz (D-HI), Richard Blumenthal (D–CT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Gary Peters (D-MI), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Jack Reed (D-RI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Tom Udall (D-NM), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Bob Casey (D-PA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Patty Murray (D-WA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Jon Tester (D-MT), Angus King (I-ME), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Mark Warner (D-VA).