Shaheen Statement on Senate Vote to Restore Net Neutrality Protections

(Washington, DC)— U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) issued the following statement after the Senate passed a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to restore net neutrality protections.

“Net neutrality is critical to maintaining a free and open internet, and I’m thrilled that the Senate passed this bipartisan resolution to restore these protections today,” said Shaheen. “Small business owners across New Hampshire have told me that the FCC’s decision to repeal net neutrality threatens the level playing field that allows them to compete online. The FCC’s reckless decision to end net neutrality creates major uncertainty for small businesses and threatens their ability to grow and create jobs in New Hampshire. I am glad that we were able to work across the aisle to pass this resolution and I urge the House of Representatives to pass this resolution to restore these protections and reinstate stability online.”

Senator Shaheen has repeatedly expressed concern that repealing net neutrality rules would end equal access to an open and free internet, resulting in higher prices, lower speeds and other barriers to growth for small businesses in New Hampshire and across the country. Earlier this month, Senator Shaheen held a Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee field hearing with New Hampshire small business owners about the effects of repealing net neutrality protections on Granite State small businesses. As a current member of the committee and a former small business owner, Shaheen understands the importance of putting small businesses first.

In December 2017, the Federal Communications Commission (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.